You can call me Al

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jan 31, 2008 8:36 AM CST in News

That's the best news about the Rams I've heard since...well, since last year's draft pretty much.

In case you're hearing it here first, the Rams have hired Al Saunders as their offensive coordinator.

As we've said earlier, hiring Saunders takes the play calling, and much of the offense, out of Scott Linehan's hands. That's a good thing. Since Linehan started his tenure as head coach in St. Louis, the offense had it's best run for a brief period at the end of the 2006 season when Linehan relinquished playcalling duties to former OC Greg Olson. He's over his head as head coach AND offensive coordinator.

Saunders will also help smooth over the lingering effects of the sideline eye rolling and other, similar incidents that highlighted an emerging rift between the head coach and his offensive veterans.

Linehan says that his coaching moves have not come at the behest of Shaw and the management. Maybe not. Maybe he read the writing on the wall and realized his head coaching days in the NFL were over if he didn't take the gun out of his own hand by hiring a proven offensive coordinator.

Pundit reaction: it's a good move.

Here's ESPN's John Clayton

Saunders coached the Rams in 1999 and 2000. He does a good job of balancing the running game with the passing game, which should help quarterback Marc Bulger. He's also one of the best at getting improved play out of the wide receiving corps.

Yes. The team has a lot of money tied up in Drew Bennett and Randy McMichael. Injuries and play calling problems took something off their games last year, but "improved play" is a must for them.

Finally some good news.

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This really is amazing news

I feel like it's better than any FA signing too!

Finally, no more of them 2 yard screen plays!

Linehan shouldn't even be allowed to get that "one play a week"

by Option27 @ Turf Show Times on Jan 31, 2008 10:27 AM CST reply actions

Hopefully

this means Bruce is more willing to stick around. I feared that with just Linehan running the offense, there was no way he would restructre his contract (if asked to do so) but now I think we might have a different situation.

by Big Red on Jan 31, 2008 5:15 PM CST reply actions

Ditto

Mr. Ram needs to stay. He's still got gas left in the tank. I am thrilled for Saunders' arrival. He will definitely get the best out of these guys.

by AmpLee on Jan 31, 2008 5:54 PM CST reply actions

I am really

enthused about this signing. If you look at Saunders' record, he has improved every offense he has coached by a significant margin... he even led the number 1 offense in yards over a 5 year span, and had a big hand in the "Greatest Show".....seems like a hell of a pedigree.

Nice to have something that's not gloom and doom.

by ViperLjs on Jan 31, 2008 6:01 PM CST reply actions

New Guy

I would like to introduce myself. Super duper big time Rams fan here from the Gabriel and Snow days (i could barely tie my shoes). I'm the loyal type that has never, ever, changed teams since I was a pup.

OK, here goes. Probably a good move, maybe. Unfortunately, there is a lot of dust to settle before the Rams can move on. Our boys (and girls) are in another major change period and who knows what is going to happen.

So whoever is in control after this year, let's concentrate on the draft and resigning bruce and signing a free agent offensive lineman (guess who).

one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer.

by chosen1 @ Turf Show Times on Feb 1, 2008 3:57 AM CST reply actions

welcome

to the fold here, chosen1.

my hope with the Saunders signing is that it can smooth out the Linehan era, and at least give the team a little stability for the immediate future while the ownership situation shakes out.

by Ryan Van Bibber on Feb 1, 2008 12:02 PM CST up reply actions