Titans blanking Rams 20-0 in Nashville

The Rams did, in fact, take the field on Sunday night, though they've yet to show anything for it as Tennessee leads St. Louis 20-0 after the first half.

Nick Foles, the Rams' banner addition this offseason courtesy of Chip Kelly, helped the Titans get their first points, flinging an errant ball for Tavon Austin, which instead found defensive back Perrish Cox, who went the other way for 24 yards and a touchdown.

St. Louis (0-1) posted the fifth-worst offensive eleven in the NFL last season and Tennessee the fourth-worst. They're both hoping their new quarterbacks can reverse that course.

While the Rams have little to show from this effort, the Titans are more optimistic.

Marcus Mariota engineered three drives for Tennessee (0-1), looking every bit the man he wasn't in his debut in Atlanta one week ago. He went 5-of-8 for 59 yards, and should've had a touchdown, if not for Dexter McCluster dropping a wide open pass play that slipped off his mitts in the end zone.

A good deal of help can come in the form of Bishop Sankey, the Titans' rusher who on the night carried for 45 yards on six attempts, gaining on plays of 18 and 19 yards over a confused strong-side defense that looked twice too often at what Mariota might do.

A strong run game is what the Titans hope can settle their rookie to find his way in the pocket after a strong showing in training camp this summer.

Mariota also found Craig Stevens on a 35 yard gain on the sole scoring drive of his night, a 27 yard kick from Ryan Succop, before Zach Mettenberger and the relief men came into pitch. To great effect, as it happened.

Mettenberger flung a 3rd-and-3 ball for Hakeem Nicks, who slithered through a pair of tackles on a 40 yard advance five yards into the red zone. David Cobb took a well-designed draw play through the middle of the line nine yards to the 3 and Chase Coffman snagged the deciding catch to put the Titans ahead by 17.

Nick Foles' pick puts Titans on the board

It being the preseason, the Titans look efficient and inspired, and following the first quarter of business on Sunday night, they lead the St. Louis Rams 10-0.

Marcus Mariota looked considerably more situated in the pocket to start his second preseason game than he did his first, a two-turnover bonanza in Atlanta that put a streak of worry into those hopeful eyes around Nashville. The rookie ended up 3-for-5 on 52 yards, but it was a defensive play that put the Titans on the board.

Parrish Cox had five interceptions with the 49ers last season, and thanks to Nick Foles, secured his first as a Titan, stepping in front of Tavon Austin on a miscommunication and darting the other way for the 24 yard score.

Both squads are looking to provide some jolt to what last season were anemic offensive units. Foles spearheads a group that in 2014 was the fifth-worst in football and Marcus Mariota a Titans unit that was one-step worse than that. 

Bishop Sankey ran riot over the Rams in the opening session, collecting 45 yards on six rushes, including runs of 18 and 19 yards over a St. Louis defense that overcommitted to the duel-threat Mariota, leaving holes mostly to the right side for Sankey to put the Titans in position.

Case Keenum traded to Rams

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Days after a quarterback swap sent Sam Bradford to Philadelphia for Nick Foles, the St. Louis Rams on Wednesday signed Case Keenum from the Texans in exchange for a seventh-round pick in 2016.

Keenum, undrafted from the University of Houston in 2012, has 11 career touchdowns on 2,195 yards, and earned his first two NFL victories to end last season's campaign.

He was on the Rams' practice squad in 2013 after being cut from the Texans, then returning to Houston again in place of starter Matt Schaub.

Rams: owner looking into L.A. stadium

INGLEWOOD, Ca. - St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke plans to build a stadium in Los Angeles County in connection with a possible franchise move there as early as 2016, according to reports.

Keoenke formed a syndicate with Stockbridge Capital Group, owners of the former 238-acre Hollywood Park racetrack, the Los Angeles Times reported on Monday.

The site will feature an 80,000 seat football stadium, a 6,000 seat entertainment venue, and retail, office, residential, and hotel space on the former Hollywood Park site.

The Rams, which have declined any comment on a move, can choose to terminate their lease with the city of St. Louis as they are yet to reach a deal to renovate the Edward Jones Dome. Though the city is expected to present an offer this month.

There have been unofficial and unsought-out plans to establish an NFL team in the city for more than twenty years, but this marks the first time any existing team's ownership has controlled enough area to act on it.

Any franchise that plans a move must file an application for approval between Jan. 1 and Feb. 15 and will require a majority vote of three-fourths the present owners.

"No team has applied for relocation and there will be no team relocations for the 2015 season," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said to Pro Football Talk. "We are committed to working towards having franchises that are strong and successful in their existing markets. Any decision on relocation in 2016 or later is subject to approval by the 32 clubs. An affirmative vote by 24 of 32 clubs is required."

The Rams were originally a Los Angeles based franchise from their founding in 1946 until their move after the 1994 season to St. Louis. The city has not fielded a professional football franchise since 1984 when the Oakland Raiders temporarily moved there and played at the Memorial Coliseum before returning to Oakland ten years later.

Kroene, the second-wealthiest owner in the league, also has an interest in the Denver Nuggets NBA club and Colorado Avalanche NHL team, and is a large stakeholder in the English football club Arsenal FC.

Rams players will not be fined for Ferguson protest

St. Louis, Mo. - The NFL announced Monday that five St. Louis Rams will not suffer any fines or punishments for their display of protest of the situation in Ferguson, Missouri. 

During pre-game introductions Sunday, Tavon Austin, Kenny Britt, Stedman Bailey, Chris Givens, and Jared Cook stood side-by-side and held their hands in the air for several seconds. 

It is an action that has recently come to symbolize the "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" protest many are expressing following a grand jury verdict in the St. Louis suburb that neglected to indict police officer Darren Wilson. 

Wilson shot and killed teenager Michael Brown after a skirmish broke out between the two in August.

The verdict has driven many to public riots and some looting in the streets of Ferguson that has resulted in destruction of property and great unrest.

The union of St. Louis police officers expressed offense at the protest from the five players, citing a tasteless attitude towards law enforcement.

"The St. Louis Police Officers Association is profoundly disappointed with the members of the St. Louis Rams football team who chose to ignore the mountains of evidence released from the St. Louis County Grand Jury this week and engage in a display that police officers around the nation found tasteless, offensive, and inflammatory," the SLPOA said in a statement.

Brian McCarthy, the NFL's vice president of communications responded in an official statement, reading:

"We respect and understand the concerns of all individuals who have expressed views on this tragic situation."