It was a tough decision to pick the Rams at # 32. But the turnover in the teams roster can make things difficult for first year head coach Steve Spagnuolo. They are heading in the right direction though. Bringing in C Jason Brown from the Ravens, drafting T Jason Smith out of Baylor, and signing FB Mike Karney after the Saints released him, shows they want to bulk up that line to keep Marc Bulger from getting pummeled. And of course this all helps out # 39 Steven Jackson. If only the guy can stay healthy for 16 games. SJ hasn’t played 16 games since 2006, which by no coincidence, is the last time the Rams were at .500 or better. (8-8)
On Defense, signing free agent S James Butler from the Giants, will help ease the transition into Spagnuolo’s new defense. 2nd round pick James Laurinaitis, will take over the middle and Will Witherspoon will move to the weak side. FS Oshiomogho Atogwe is a stud, and DE Chris Long should get better in season 2.
Offense
Marc Bulger returns as the starter after a rough 2008, part because of Jackson’s health, and part O-Line problems. Bulger has been sacked 124 times in 43 games over the last three seasons. T Alex Barron was moved to the left side when Orlando Pace was let go. And it may be too early to tell if the rookie will start at LT right away. With a healthy SJ and an improved line, that should ease the pressure on Marc. The problem is who will he be throwing the rock to. Torry Holt was released, so that leaves St. Louis with a young group of WRs. This position is a question mark. Will Donnie Avery improve enough to be a viable number 1 option for Bulger? He finished with a modest 674 yards receiving in ‘08 and only 3 TDs. Keenan Burton only had 13 grabs last season, Derek Stanley is coming off surgery, and newcomers Laurent Robinson and Tim Carter won’t exactly have you doing backflips of joy down your driveway. But that may be alright considering new OC Pat Shurmur came from a team (Eagles), that never had good WRs. Ever. Except for that short stint with Owens. Remember this guy…
A healthy Randy McMichael figures to be a key component in the West Coast-style offense that offensive coordinator Shurmur is installing. If he recovers well, he can be the veteran receiving presence the team needs.
Defense
New DC Ken Flajole has his hands full this year. Although everything we spoke about in the second paragraph may seem like good things, let’s not get too excited. The Rams have no real speed rusher to go get the opposing teams QB, and Leonard Little will be 35 in October. Aside from the safeties, Otogwe and Butler, the secondary is relatively young, inexperienced, and overall a liability. Alright, Jonathan Wade, and Ron Bartell are good, but after that…question marks. Unfortunately those guys are both under 6 feet. And we all know how tall Larry Fitzgerald and rooke Michael Crabtree are. Here’s a hint: Taller than 6 feet. Remember they have to deal with TJ Houshmandzadeh this year in Seattle as well. Who is by the way over 6 foot tall.
OK, so what does this all mean. To put it lightly. Nightmare, maybe not 2-14 nightmare, but perhaps 5 wins would be a miracle. They have a tough schedule. Right off the bat they play 2 road games. The very hostile 12th man in Seattle, then a trip to Washington, back home for Green Bay, and then back on the road to San Francisco. They do get to play 5 of their last 8 games at home.
Thanks for stopping by, come back tomorrow for team # 31…
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