Starting over: Random Ramsdom, 8/14

It's game day! Man, it's been so long I wondered if I'd ever type those words again, but I just did. The St. Louis Rams take on the New York Jets in New Jersey today to open their preseason schedule. We've got all kinds of preview lined up today, and I'll have the final question of my three questions series. Now for some links...

• Bulger, the receivers, the rookies, live tackling and the return game...the PD has its five things to watch.
• Also at the PD, the roundtable asks what to watch for tonight. Jim Thomas sums it up best with his rule for preseason football:

Pay attention to the score when the starters are in; watch individuals when the reserves are on the field.

• The game will be broadcast on the NFL Network, but if you're in the St. Louis are you might want to watch it on the local Fox affiliate...if only to hear Trent Green providing the color commentary.
• A profile of the "other" blockers, FB Mike Karney and TE Billy Bajema on the official site. Karney's status for tonight is still to be decided.
• Rams Herd previews the game.
• Rams Gab takes a look at what the national writers on the scene have to say about the Rams. 
• Here's a "what to watch" feature from the Jets perspective. These are always interesting to read because they give you a sense of where the opponents are and how they'll be playing the Rams. Note the section on the defense:

The unit has been dominant in training camp and appears poised to back up Ryan's bold talk. They have been blitzing like mad in camp and will be fun to watch because Ryan doesn't know how to play any other way. New additions LB Bart Scott and S Jim Leonhard haven't disappointed, and former Pro Bowl CB Lito Sheppard has regained his form. Hard-hitting LB David Harris is back after an injury-filled 2008 season, and S James Ihedigbo is playing his way into the lineup.

Even without Kris Jenkins, this is going to be a tough matchup for the Rams offense. I suspect their starters won't play more than a quarter either, but keeping them out of our backfield for even that long is will put the offensive line and everyone else to the test. I'd feel a lot better if I knew Mike Karney were going to play, just for the fact that it would give Steven Jackson another blocker. 

• I think you'd be crazy to bet on preseason football, but if you've got money to burn, the odds favor the Jets by 3.5 points. 
• The Eagles settled the where will Mike Vick sign debate.