Introduction

Many viewed the Rams as a dominant NFC team entering the 2007 season.  Some “experts” had them making the Super Bowl.  And on paper, why not?  The offense looked ready to become The Greatest Show on Turf II.  Marc Bulger could throw to Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, and now Drew Bennett; he could hand the ball to Steven Jackson.  That offense should be capable of at least 21 points/game.  So what happened?  Well, injuries mostly, specifically along the offensive line.  Throughout 2007 the Rams had 13 different players start at least one game.  After training camp the starting line was to be Orlando Pace (LT), Mark Setterstrom (LG), Brett Romberg (C), Richie Incognito (RG), and Alex Barron (RT).  Incognito was injured before the regular season even started and Pace was lost during the first game.  Setterstrom would join Pace and Incognito on IR later.  Bulger and Jackson also missed time with injuries.  The result was a drop from a dangerous offense in 2006 (360.4 yards/game, 6th; 22.9 points/game, 10th) to a dismal one this past year (297.5 yards/game, 24th; 16.4 points/game, 28th).  Injuries didn’t just affect the offense either.  Starters Leonard Little, Pisa Tinoisamoa, and Tye Hill were all eventually placed on IR and missed significant playing time.  The Rams were atrocious versus the run in 2006 (145.4 yards/game, 31st) but that hole was plugged in 2007 with rookies Adam Carriker and Clifton Ryan as well as a rejuvenated La’Roi Glover.  The 2007 rush defense gave up 115.2 yards/game and ranked 20th in the league, a modest improvement.  Unfortunately, as the rush defense got better, the pass defense regressed.  Ranked 8th in 2006 (189.7 yards/game), the Rams pass defense dropped to 21st this past year, surrendering 225.8 yards/game through the air.

Head Coach Scott Linehan will be back for his third year.  Some of his coaches will not be.  Al Saunders will replace Greg Olson as offensive coordinator.  It seems that Linehan has finally realized (much like Cam Cameron should have this year) that a Head Coach should not also call the plays.  Saunders, who has worked with the Rams before, should bring back some energy to an offense that desperately needs it.  The playmakers are there but the scheme wasn’t working.  That should change.  Billy Devaney was brought in as Executive Vice President of Player Personnel in hopes that a new talent evaluator can revive the process of signing free agents as well as find hidden gems in the uber-important draft.

Areas of Need

Unlike the situation in Miami, St. Louis has a decent foundation on which to build.  Looking at the entire roster isn’t necessary so let’s focus on a few positions that could use an upgrade or some depth.

Wide Receiver – It may sound crazy to a lot of people that WR may be an area of need for the Rams.  Hear me out.  Although Torry Holt had another solid season in 2007 (93 receptions, 1,189 yards, 7 TDs) he is showing signs of regression.  After all he will be 32 when the 2008 season is underway.  He has a few good years left in him but finding a young player to learn from him wouldn’t be a terrible idea.  Besides, Drew Bennett was not the big free agent acquisition the team had hoped for after losing Kevin Curtis to Philadelphia.  Bennett suffered through some injuries and inconsistencies from the QBs.  Isaac Bruce, the face of the Rams, could become a cap casualty if he is unwilling to restructure his contract.  Bruce turns 36 during the ’08 season.  There are a few young guns already on the roster so this is probably lower on the priority list.  But WR should receive some attention, possibly in rounds three or four.

Possible Targets – Adarius Bowman, Oklahoma State; Harry Douglas, Louisville; Keenan Burton, Kentucky; Jerome Simpson, Coastal Carolina; Paul Hubbard, Wisconsin

Offensive Line – Depth is a huge issue, as was demonstrated last year.  Young backups would be ideal, specifically at tackle.  Stud Orlando Pace missed almost all of 2007 and will be 33 in November.  He may be on the downside of his illustrious career.  Alex Barron is young and could switch to LT if Pace suffers another injury or retires.  But who else is there?  Brandon Gorin and Rob Petitti are adequate backups but should not be starting 16 games.  Andy McCollum (C) is unlikely to return so the Rams could be searching for some depth at center as well.  Luckily the 2008 draft is deep with offensive line talent.  They may target a tackle in round two and find a center in rounds four or five.

Possible Targets – Gosder Cherilus (T), Boston College; Carl Nicks (T), Nebraska; Anthony Collins (T), Kansas; Mike Pollak (C), Arizona State; John Sullivan (C), Notre Dame

Defensive Line – The dominant Giants front four is going to revolutionize the NFL for the next few years.  It is a copycat league.  If something works, the rest of the league is sure to follow.  The Rams are establishing a strong, young defensive line with Adam Carriker and Clifton Ryan at DT.  With the second overall pick, they’ll have a chance at grabbing either LSU’s Glenn Dorsey (DT) or Virginia’s Chris Long (DE).  With the surprise emergence of Ryan, they would probably prefer to get Long.  With his addition they could have a front four of Leonard Little, Carriker, Ryan, and Long.  Not too shabby.  However, adding Dorsey may allow the Rams to shift Carriker back to end.  I suspect that whichever is available at #2 the Rams will take.  If they pass on those and go with Jake Long to address their OT needs, then they could like d-line in rounds two or three.

Possible Targets – Glenn Dorsey (DT), LSU; Sedrick Ellis (DT), USC; Chris Long (DE), Virginia; Lawrence Jackson (DE-Round 2), USC; Chris Ellis (DE-Round 3), Virginia Tech

Linebacker – As of now the Rams LBs are Chris Draft, Will Witherspoon, and Pisa Tinoisamoa.  Witherspoon is the best of the bunch but is playing out of position in the middle.  Pisa is injured every year.  Depth is a concern.  If one of the premiere linebackers slips to the early second round, it wouldn’t be surprising for the team to grab him.  One linebacker for depth would be nice.  They could grab a project in round four or five.

Possible Targets – Dan Connor (early Round 2), Penn State; Ali Highsmith (early Round 2), LSU; Ben Moffitt (Round 4), South Florida; J Leman (Round 5), Illinois; Wesley Woodyard (Round 5), Kentucky

Safety – St. Louis will more than likely try to address this through free agency, especially if O.J. Atogwe bolts as a free agent.  Corey Chavous is the incumbent at SS.  They have decent depth with Todd Johnson, Hank Milligan, and Jerome Carter but they all should be top reserves and special team standouts, not starters.  This year’s draft class doesn’t have many big time safety prospects.  If they think a holdover can start then adding a safety in rounds five or six would be a good idea.

Possible Targets – Josh Barrett, Arizona State; Quintin Demps, UTEP; D.J. Wolfe, Oklahoma; Dominique Barber, Minnesota; Eric Wicks, West Virginia

Kicker – Jeff Wilkins turns 36 in a few months and had a down year in 2007.  He could retire or become a cap casualty.  Justin Medlock was signed as competition or possibly as the heir apparent.  Can they really trust him though?  Medlock was a 5th round selection of the Chiefs last year but couldn’t make anything during the preseason.  He lasted one regular season game in Kansas City.  If Wilkins is let go or calls it a career then someone else should be brought in.  Whether it is a late round selection or a free agent, another leg is needed.

Possible Targets – Taylor Mehlhaff, Wisconsin; Brandon Coutu, Georgia; Garrett Hartley, Oklahoma; Alexis Serna, Oregon State; Art Carmody, Louisville

It would not surprise me to see the Rams rebound quickly in 2008.  The offense is there.  They just need to avoid injuries.  They could easily finish between 7-9 and 9-7, especially in the relatively weak NFC West.