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A20 SPORTS
Monday 21 october 2019
Rams snap skid by beating Falcons 37-10 as Ryan hurts ankle

By CHARLES ODUM share that role on Sunday.
AP Sports Writer "I'm always looking to do
ATLANTA (AP) — Jalen anything that's best for the
Ramsey's entrance boost- team," Quinn said. "My ego
ed the Los Angeles Rams' is never bigger than the
hopes they can return to team."
the postseason. Quinn said he doesn't be-
Matt Ryan's exit with an an- lieve he has lost the team
kle injury provided a painful or the season.
reminder the Atlanta Fal- "I never think you're out of
cons have little hope re- the fight," Quinn said. "You
maining to avoid another shouldn't think that way as
losing season. a team member and I cer-
Jared Goff threw for two tainly don't think that way
touchdowns and ran for as a coach."
another, and the Rams re- Atlanta's frustrations
turned to the site of last showed in a third-quarter
season's Super Bowl loss to fight between running
beat the reeling Falcons back Devonta Freeman
37-10 on Sunday. and Donald that led to
The Rams (4-3) snapped a Freeman's ejection. The
three-game losing streak in Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) hits Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta two locked up after Ryan's
the debut of Ramsey, the Freeman (24) causing a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, pass off Mohamed Sanu's
former All-Pro cornerback in Atlanta. hands was intercepted by
acquired from Jacksonville Associated Press Cory Littleton deep in At-
earlier in the week. to come in on short notice walking boot in the locker left, when Kenjon Barner lanta territory with the Rams
With Ramsey's addition to with such short practice room and was not made fumbled a punt return leading 20-3.
the secondary, the Los An- time and do what he did. available for his usual post- when hit by Troy Reeder Freeman had his hands on
geles defense enjoyed a It was a good boost to our game news conference. and Darious Williams recov- Donald's facemask before
productive day with five team, to be sure." Donald was credited with ered in the end zone for a throwing a punch at the
sacks, an interception and The Falcons (1-6) suffered a sack, forced fumble and touchdown. much bigger defensive
a fumble return for a touch- their fifth straight loss. recovery on the play. It was Ryan's injury was the latest tackle, which appeared to
down. Ryan's right leg bent awk- the Rams' fifth sack of Ryan, and perhaps most damag- make little if any contact.
"We're back on track," said wardly as he was sacked matching the five sacks by ing dose of bad news for Umpire Terry Killens finally
linebacker Dante Fowler, by Aaron Donald in the Atlanta's defense this sea- the woeful Falcons. Quinn's pulled Freeman away from
who had three sacks and a fourth quarter, causing a son — none in the last four job security appears shaky Donald, taking Freeman
forced fumble. fumble that Donald recov- games. at best as he quickly runs to the ground in an ap-
Coach Sean McVay was ered. "That amount of quarter- out of time to avoid a sec- parent unintentional body
impressed by Ramsey's Ryan limped off the field back hits and sacks for sure ond straight losing season. slam before quickly helping
ability to prepare for the and was escorted to the was a real factor in this Quinn, who took on the Freeman to his feet.
game following Tuesday's medical tent on the side- game," Quinn said. added role of defensive Each player drew unneces-
trade from Jacksonville. line. He walked to the lock- Matt Schaub replaced coordinator following a 7-9 sary roughness penalties,
"I can't say enough about er room, still favoring the Ryan and threw a 10-yard finish in 2018, revealed after and Freeman was tossed
his ability to digest the ankle, with 7:36 remaining touchdown pass to Austin the game that he began for throwing the punch.
game plan," McVay said. in the game. Hooper with 2:36 remain- assigning some defensive The turnover left the Rams
"I think it's just a real credit Coach Dan Quinn said he ing. play-calling duties to assis- at the Atlanta 16 for a short
to our defensive coaches did not know the severity of The final insult for Atlanta tants in last week's loss at drive capped by Goff's
and then Jalen's ability ... Ryan's injury. Ryan wore a came with only 11 seconds Arizona and continued to 1-yard scoring run.q
MLB umpire Eric Cooper dies at 52; did playoffs 2 weeks ago

By BEN WALKER Cooper made his debut — MLB took those numbers the field and a popular
AP Baseball Writer in the majors in 1996 as a into account in picking the member of our staff. He
Eric Cooper, the Major minor league fill-in and crew, and Cooper had also served as a key voice
League Baseball umpire joined the big league staff only three calls reversed of the MLB Umpires Asso-
who worked the AL Divi- in 1999. His most recent all season. He also was ciation on important issues
sion Series two weeks ago, assignment came in the behind the plate for three in our game.”
has died. He was 52. playoffs this month when no-hitters — two by Mark In a statement, players’
Commissioner Rob Man- he worked the New York Buehrle, including a per- union chief Tony Clark
fred announced Cooper’s Yankees’ sweep of Minne- fect game, and another said: “Eric Cooper’s friend-
death Sunday. sota in the ALDS. He was by Hideo Nomo. Cooper ly and familiar presence in
Cooper died after hav- at second base on Oct. worked the plate in the fi- the baseball community
ing a blood clot. He had 7 for the clinching Game nal game in the career of will be missed by all of us.

In this July 5, 2019, photo, knee surgery earlier in the 3 at Target Field. Cooper Cal Ripken Jr. He was a professional and
home plate umpire Eric week and was recuperat- worked the 2014 World Se- “This is a very sad day gentleman whose passion
Cooper signals during the ing at his father’s home in ries between the Kansas across Major League for our game, the play-
third inning of a baseball Iowa. Popular with his fel- City Royals and San Fran- Baseball,” Manfred said in ers and his fellow umpires
game between the Detroit low umps, he was talking cisco Giants. He drew that a statement. “Eric Cooper was evident in the way he
Tigers and the Boston Red Sox to them Saturday about post helped by his success was a highly respected went about his work and
in Detroit.
Associated Press his recovery. rate on replay challenges umpire, a hard worker on life.” q