State of the Rams- my best guess- Offense edition

It's a total shot in the dark since it's July and the team hasn't put pads on yet but I will try to highlight a few areas to keep an eye on as training camp approaches.


QB- This team will go as far as Sam Bradford goes. He's back in a West Coast offense that is based on timing that he excelled at in his rookie year. This hopefully is the year that Bradford solidifies the notion that he is a true franchise QB.


WR- For Bradford to be successful he has to trust that his WR can get open and run correct routes. Influx of young players and speed added to returning players. Here's hoping that Brian Quick is the second coming of TO, and Steve Smith, and Danny Amendola are fully healthy. 


OL- Again the OL will directly effect Bradford's success. Can Saffold and Jason Smith play more like two years ago? Scott Wells from Green Bay should be a vocal confident leader at center, Harvey Dahl was hands down the Rams best lineman last season, LG is the wild card with several guys competing for the spot.  


TE- Fisher had some very capable TEs that moved the chains when he was with the Titans. Kendricks is the key at "move TE". Are the drops just a case of rookie jitters? Can these guys stay heathly? Logjam of about 10 players on the roster. I'm a huge LSU homer but TE Deangelo Peterson has a ton of potential, as he was a converted from WR to TE at LSU. Substandard QB at LSU hurt Peterson's production. 


Defense next time 


GEAUX RAMS

Mini Camps

As we are enter into summer the final OTA's/ mini camps are upon us. Fisher and company still have some holes to fill especially in the LB corp, but most positions seem to be set and have more depth. 

No one can predict injuries or how some of the camp battles will turn out but a few areas intrigue me.

 CB: Can rookie Janoris Jenkins start game one over Jermome Murphy and Bradley Fletcher? Obviously the two veterans are coming off injuries but all comments thus far have been very positive on Jenkins who is running with the first team.

 RB: Well another year provides SJ39 with two new backups. Out goes the grizzled vets enter the two rookies. Isiah Pead, MVP of the Senior Bowl, seems to not only be able to provide a change of pace back to Jackson but also is an accomplished returner. Pead and Richardson both have impressive speed so I hope the show in preseason they can provide depth and a breather for SJ39. 

K/P: Not a glamorous topic but the Rams will have rookies and both positions so I hope they can make the transition easily.

 LB: The biggest issue in my opinion. MLB, and one OLB seems set with Laurinitis, and Dunbar. Depth is a concern im not familiar enough with OLB Mario Haggans to figure out if he can solve the SOLB issue for the Rams. OLB Rocky McIntosh had a tryout yesterday with the Rams so I am glad they are still searching for players to help that position.

 GEAUX RAMS

OTA's

With the Rams fully emersed in offseason training activities, hope has officially returned to Earth City.

  Quick thoughts: Am I the only one that loves the almost common sense approach by Fisher and Snead? DT was a problem sign one starter in free agency, and draft the other one. CB was a disaster last year and even when healthy it lacked the playmakers to make a clutch play or generate a turnover. Free agency and draft x 2!

 Bradford lacks weapons to fully reach his potential. Change of pace back and possible heir apparent to SJ39, plus two good looking prospects at WR with SPEED! Blocking tight ends, new special teamers, depth on the OL, and a slew of rookie FA's that provide competition at virtually every position.

 It sure seems like the new regime assessed the situation and are addressing it in a logical methodical way. 

GEAUX RAMS