State of the Rams

Sorry for my long absence. The 2012 Rams have been transformed into a competitive team that other teams probably don't want to play. The talent level has improved over last year due to sound drafting and key free agent signings, as well as subtractions. I will quickly address each position on offense as the Rams approach their bye week. QB: Bradford looks much more like he did hs rookie year running a west coast offfense. Protection as well as sound running game are necessary for his success. B RB: Richardson has surprised many by leap froggging second rounder Isiah Pead and is sharing carries with SJ39. The future may be with a 7th round draft pick but the Rams has a break away runner with speed for the first time in awhile. B WR: Gibson, Amendola are returnees with Amendola playing great pre injury. Gibson has made some spectatcular catches as well as costly drops. Veteran Steve Smith has been inactive and a non factor. 4th round Chris Givens is a playmaker and should only improve. 2nd rounder WR Quick is slowly aclimating into the NFl but coaches are high on him so we should try to be patient with him. C+ without Amendola B+ with Danny TE: Kendricks looks legit and his blocking is overlooked at times. The other blocking TE's are helping due to injuries on the OL OL: Saffold has been injured twice, and Scott Wells who missed all training camp broke his foot and has played very litte. Kudos the Paul Boudreaux the Rams OL coach for taking a few castoffs and making them play quite well at times. Barry Richardson (KC), Wayne Hunter (NYJ), and Joe Barksdale(OAK) all were released or traded by their former teams and have come in a played solidly thus far. B+ (mainly due to injury issues)

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