The Rams have gone for it on fourth down three times in each of their preseason games, an unusually high rate. They’re 3 for 6.

Don’t expect that many gambles in the regular season.

"Well, I know both kickers can kick 20-yard field goals, 30-yard field goals," Coach Jeff Fisher told the Post-Dispatch, referring to Greg Zuerlein and Garrett Lindholm. "In the preseason, why not try to make plays on offense? So that's basically it. Obviously the philosophy changes during the regular season -- (with) momentum, flow, and field position.

"But I don't think we need to kick 35-yard field goals in the preseason, especially if it's fourth and less than 4.”

On 4th-and-2 from the Chiefs' 8, Sam Bradford threw under duress and Danny Amendola made an outstanding catch for a 14-0 lead. The confidence-building play never would have happened had Fisher opted for the chip-shot field goal.

Since relocating to St. Louis, the Rams have gone for it on fourth down an average of 17.4 times per season, or just over once a game, according to the paper. Fisher’s teams in Houston and Tennessee averaged 15.6 fourth-down tries. His current preseason rate would translate to 48 fourth-down tries.

Smith’s health holding: Veteran wide receiver Steve Smith, bothered by knee problems the past two seasons, has not missed any practices or spent any time in the training room. As a result, he’s positioned himself to start.

“I know when I am healthy I can make plays,” the 2009 Pro Bowler said. “That’s the whole thing for me, just being healthy and being on the field.”

The 27-year-old, who can play in the slot or outside, caught 107 balls for 1,220 yards for the Giants in 2009.

3rd-down struggles: The Rams are focusing on third-down situations this week. In two preseason games, Rams opponents have converted 16 of 26 (61.5 percent). St. Louis has converted 9 of 25 (36 percent).

"We've got to get better on offense and we've got to get significantly better on defense," Fisher told the Post-Dispatch. "We're over 61 percent conversion rate on defense, which will do you no good over the regular season."

Fisher noted, however, that the Rams have been fairly vanilla on third down defense.

Get more Rams updates and analysis from Larry Hartstein @CBSSportsNFLSTL.