Football Diner 2008 Team Reviews / Previews
St. Louis Rams
by Neil Murphy
1/7/2008
 
Overview
 
Last year's 3-13 season was the Rams worst since the franchise moved to St Louis, with trouble on and off the field. The death of long term owner Georgia Frontiere prompted immediate speculation of a possible future move to Los Angeles, particularly with uncertainty over the stadium. On the field, the Greatest Show on Turf gave way to sacrificial lambs - only Miami were more incompetent. There's an argument that with the second overall pick, the Rams should have chosen the best available medical team. Every NFL team suffers injuries during a season – but last year the Rams were absolutely crucified, particularly along the O-Line, it was as if the team doctor was The Simpson's Dr Nick Riviera. 'Only Miami were more incompetent...In fact things got so bad that at one stage last year they were on the verge of being dropped from the Diner's Power Rankings in favour of LSU.
 
Questionable front office moves the last few years have also set the team back, with journeymen free agents getting the big bucks, and improving draft picks allowed to depart. WR's Kevin Curtis and Shaun McDonald were groomed behind Holt and Bruce, only to be snatched up by Philly and Detroit, while some genius in the front office threw $30m at Drew Bennett. Former starting FB Madison Hedgecock was released early last year, and after slating coach Scott Linehan, ended up winning a Super Bowl as the Giants starter.
 
Quarterbacks
 
Playing behind the Rams leaky O-Line is not unlike Russian Roulette. Mark Bulger is an excellent QB when healthy, but he's found it difficult to stay upright, making a solid backup necessary. Gus Ferrotte took his fumbling hand to Minnesota, so Al Saunders lobbied for the team to sign Trent Green. Yes, that Trent Green. For $9m. As ESPN's DJ Gallo put it, Trent Green has forgotten more about being a QB than most NFL QB's ever knew. Mainly because he's been hit in the head so often. With a history of severe concussions, Green has no place on a football field. There's a real chance Al Saunders might be responsible for Trent Green's onfield death next season. You know things are going badly when you see a franchise snatch former Tampa QB Bruce Gradkowski off waivers – he'll fight it out with Brock Berlin for the 3rd slot.
Grade: B
 
Running Backs
 
The position is set with Stephen Jackson, and as he faces into a contract year, expect him to run like a man possessed. Gotta get paid! Jackson was hurt last season, but when fit, he's one of the elite backs in the league. Rams fans will be expecting big things from him this year. Last year's second rounder Brian Leonard tried manfully, but lacks big play ability. He'll see time at HB and FB. Travis Minor and Antonio Pittman are unlikely to get many carries.
Grade: B+
 
Receivers
 
A beacon of excellence in an ocean of mediocrity, Torry Holt topped 1,000 yards for the 8th consecutive season, despite battling injuries. However his long term partner in crime Isaac Bruce, franchise leader in every major receiving category, 3rd overall on the all time receiving yardage list, and all round good egg was cut to avoid paying him his $2m base salary for next year. Meanwhile third receiver Drew Bennett was last year's big free agency splash, somehow landing a $30m deal. Even worse, Bruce ended up with mad genius Mike Martz at hated division rivals San Francisco. The Rams addressed the position with Houston's Donnie Avery at the top of the second round, the first receiver drafted. While this was thought by many to be a reach, it's always hard to tell with WR's, but it's fair to say that Avery is unlikely to contribute much straight away. Dante Hall, Reche “Crazy Eyes” Caldwell and Marques Hagans will compete for the slot receivers role.
Grade: C+
 
Tightends
 
Big things were expected from Randy McMichael last year, but a creaking O-Line meant he spent more time blocking than running routes. The addition of blocking TE Anthony Becht in free agency should free up McMichael to make plays. Becht impressed against the Rams last year, manhandling defenders and opening holes for Earnest Graham.
Grade: B
 
Offensive Line
 
The crux of the problem. It's an old football truism that games are won and lost in the trenches, and last year, the Rams were bullied up front. A second successive season ending injury to elite LT Orlando Pace meant that Alex “False Start” Barron had to protect Mark Bulger's blindside. As one scout noted, “The biggest knock on Alex Barron is that he doesn't like football.” There was momentary excitement last year when the Rams traded for OT Goldberg, but it turned out that this wasn't the former WCW wrestler (who looked a decent pass rusher in The Longest Yard), but rather his chubbier, less athletic namesake. The best offensive lines all benefit from continuity, however last year, injuries conspired to make this impossible. At midseason the team has used two LT's, four LG's, two centers, three RG's and four RT's, and had only one healthy backup remaining. Unsurprisingly, this instability translated into a line that couldn't push a bike. Richie Incognito fought hard, but had some costly mental breakdowns. Pace's return should provide a huge upgrade, but his injury history is becoming a concern. Guard Jacob Bell was added in free agency, while the team also drafted two linemen, tackle John Greco and guard Roy Shuening. Surely the line can't be as bad next year? Fingers crossed.
Grade: C+
 
Defensive Line
 
With DE Chris Long joining last years 1st round DT Adam Carriker, the team has invested heavily on the line. Leonard Little and La'Roi Glover round out the starters, but both are getting on in years, and there isn't much depth behind. It's a make or break year for 3rd year DT Claude Wroten, and DE James Hall will get into the rotation.
Grade: B-
 
Linebackers
 
A lot of money is tied up in Pisa Tinoisamoa and last year's team MVP Will Witherspoon, There's not much depth behind them. The team let SLB Brandon Chillar leave for Green Bay in free agency. The Rams took LB's Chris Chamberlain and David Vobora with their 6th and 7th round draft picks, and such is the depth concern, both players have a decent shot of making the roster.
Grade: C
 
Secondary
 
The secondary was another area of weakness last year. Starters Tye Hill and Fakhir Brown missed time through injury and suspension. Free safety O.J. Atogwe is a rising star, leading the NFC in interceptions. He's a free agent next year. The best you can say about SS Corey Chavous is that he's not the worst player in the world, but at $4m a year? Backup CB's Ron Bartell and Jonathan Wade will see time, while 4th round pick Justin King should make the roster.
Grade: C
 
Special Teams
 
When long term kicker Jeff Wilkins retired, the front office quickly signed Josh Brown from division rivals Seattle, handing him a big chunk of cash. Punter Donnie Jones was excellent, but an anemic offence gave him a lot of practice. Dante Hall will handle the return duties, but he's lost a yard of pace and isn't the gamebreaker he once was.
Grade: B
 
Coaching
 
It's a big year for Scott Linehan, who hasn't shown that he can properly motivate a team, gameplan or call a game. Midseason last year, speculation over his future led to the ownership publicly insisting that he would return this year. Despite this, he starts this year on the hot seat. With some excruciatingly bad offensive play calls last year - slow developing pass plays on the opposition goalline are not the percentage call when Stephen Jackson is in the backfield and your O-line can't block, the hope is that Al Saunders can rejuvenate the offence and bring back the “Greatest Show…” If Jim Haslett can continue to improve the defence, the Rams could be a surprise package in a weak division that Seattle seems to win almost by default.
Grade: D
 
Outlook
 
Not great. Again from DJ Gallo, “That swirl pattern on our helmets? It's not horns. It's a vortex of suck-itude that we are getting pulled into deeper and deeper every year”. When the team's marquee free agent is a kicker, you'd assume that the rest of the depth chart is stacked, but this is hardly the case. A kicker can win you a close game, but are the Rams good enough to keep games close? Stephen Jackson is due a huge year, but overall the team lacks depth in many areas, and looks a couple of years away from being able to compete. After the embarrassment of last year, 8-8 would be step in the right direction.