I Can Dream Can't I?

The more I read about our Offense the more I salivate over our new O-line, our rejuvenated quarterback, our corps of wide receivers and of course Stephen Jackson. Well, okay, maybe not salivate but I do get a bit excited over next season’s possibilities.

With Fleet-footed wide-outs going deep and tough-as-nails Action-Jackson busting through the middle or going around the edge churning up yardage I just imagine so many good things happening with the Rams' offense.  I also see a lot more use of the play-action-pass if Jackson’s having a good year.

It all starts of course, with our new Offensive Line…do the Rams opponents play tight to keep  Jackson from busting their chops and churning up the yardage  or do they play back to cover the covey of speedy receivers that can go deep or across the middle? Will our new O-line be up to it, will they really be good enough to give the Rams those options? IMO it could very well happen.

IF certain things occur, like Barron having a break-out (contract) year, Bell and Brown playing at the high level they did with their previous teams, Incognito curbing his temper tantrums yet remaining physical and our number 1 draft choice taking off like Pace did when he first entered the league.

Just take a look at what a lot of sports pundits are suggesting will be our new O-line and their backups:

O-Line  -  Starter  -  Backup

--------------------------------------------------------

LT   -  A. Barron  -  J. Greco

LG  -  J. Bell  -  J. Greco

C  -  J. Brown  -  M. Setterstrom

RG  -  Incognito  -  Setterstrom  -  Schuening

RT  -  J. Smith  -  A. Goldberg

 

Name   -  Age   -  Exp   -   Draft (Round)

---------------------------------------------------

Barron   -   26  -  5   -   1

Bell   -   28   -   6   -   5

Brown   -   26   -   5   -   4

Incognito   -   25   -   5   -   3

Smith   -   23   -   R             1

Greco   -   24   -   2   -   3

Setterstrom   -   25   -   4   -   7

Schuening   -   25   -   2              5

Goldberg             28      -   7   -   FA

Bell and Goldberg are the only “old guys” in the line and they’re only 28 yet aside from Jason Smith you have an average of 4.8 years of experience.

So if I make the assumption that we will have a decent Offensive Line that can open up holes for our running game as well as protect Bulger on passing plays then it should be an interesting season coming up.

I am left with only two questions though:

1 - Who will the Rams have to spell Jackson in the back field? Will we pick up a capable F/A or will one of our current running backs pick up the slack?

2 - How many WRs will the team carry into the regular season?

In his article “Rams won't look to Looker for help at WR” VanRam tells us they're likely to keep six wide-outs and I tend to agree.  But could they also carry seven if only to have a special teams kick/punt returner?

Over the past three years the Rams have carried at least 6 WRs at one time on their roster:

In 2006 the Rams carried:

Isaac Bruce

Kevin Curtis

Torry Holt

Dane Looker

Shaun McDonald

Willie Ponder

In 2007 the Rams carried:

Drew Bennett

Isaac Bruce

Torry Holt

Dane Looker

Derek Stanley

Dante Hall

Marques Hagans

Travis Taylor

Brandon Williams

In 2008 the Rams carried:

Donnie Avery

Drew Bennett

Keenan Burton

Dante Hall

Torry Holt

Eddie Kennison

Dane Looker

Derek Stanley

I also think the first six receivers VanRam mentions will be the final six.

Of his "Somewhat less likely" group I think if Stanley can make a complete recovery from his injury he will continue to be an outstanding return man and just the other day I read a nice article by Nick Wagoner on Tim Carter called "Carter Gets Back to Business".

As for Brooks Foster, he has nice height at 6'3" and large hands but didn't he have knee surgery in the final game with Duke in his senior year?  I’ve not heard anything about how he’s doing since then.

In any event, I like to speculate...I tend to ramble on...I’m tired of the doldrums, the dead space, the time before spring training and the pre-season games. I’m anxious for the season to begin and I can dream can’t I?

Aways the optimistic Rams fan.

Go Rams!