Rams 2010 season, mirage or the real thing?

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 13, 2010 6:45 AM CST in 2010 St. Louis Rams season

The St. Louis Rams have definitely played better this season than last. Another year of experience and major upgrades at a couple of key positions have finally righted the ship.

One thing that still alludes the 6-7 team, beating the good teams. Yesterday's loss to the Saints was a reminder of just how far the Rams have left to go before winning becomes second nature. Earlier in the season, Spagnuolo's group had trouble closing out games, winning the ones they should have. Losing to Tampa Bay via a late comeback really hurt, because that's a team with a winning record that the Rams could have easily beat. Against the Falcons, they were just plain overmatched, but they had a real shot to make a game of it in New Orleans yesteday, only to see that evaporate one turnover at a time.

So I ask you this, dear fan, are the 2010 St. Louis Rams overachieving or is this season consistent with a realistic set of expectations?

Don't just look at the record either. Consider their play, from the guys on the field to the coaching decisions that have shaped the season.

Poll

The 2010 St. Louis Rams...

Overachieving

119 votes

Right where they should be

314 votes

433 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

They are definitely overachieving.

Sure they haven’t won the close games, and they haven’t beat the good teams, but seriously? This team was projected for three to four wins by most experts, and they were the one NFC west team that didn’t seem to have a chance at winning the division, and now they are in first and in a legitimate position. Not every game went their way, but at least they had the chance for it to go their way. SIx wins at the end of the season would have been considered a great season, let alone playoffs in sight. The rams need a couple of offensive weapons, and legitimate playcalling, paired with their budding o-line and defense, and they could be an NFC force for years to come. Don’t let how they have done change your expectations, because this rams team has come out of nowhere.

by dopehouse on Dec 13, 2010 7:42 AM CST reply actions

Both

Of course they are overachieving when you factor in who we have and the talent they have in reality but I think that overachieving is here to stay. I think it has alot to do with how they are coached and how cohesive they are as a team. Spaggs and co. still make mistakes (especially in playcalling) but one thing is for sure…. they know how to bring out the highest potential in each player.

by stlfan2004 on Dec 13, 2010 8:18 AM CST reply actions

Underachievers

wasn’t there and I would have picked that. This team has lost games they should have won, Spags has put his touch on the Defense. Conservative offensive calls with leads have killed them.

by chndlr54 on Dec 13, 2010 10:29 AM CST reply actions

Right where they should be.

This isn’t a great team, but a much improved team. I think their record reflects that. At 6-7 they don’t have a winning record, but they are still within reach of a winning one.

I miss the good old days of Warner to Holt

by guitrguy on Dec 13, 2010 11:05 AM CST reply actions

I'm not exactly sure how to classify it, but

it’s definitely not a mirage. Yes we are 6-7. We 2-4 in games decided by less than 4. Those are the games where 1 or 2 plays could have changed everything. For example: in the Cardinals game Ryan doesn’t fumble, the 49ers game we don’t give up a 4th and 17 and in the Broncos game we don’t get a fumble recovery right before half on a KR…. We are a tough team and we don’t quit and with the coaching staff we have, I don’t expect this to change anytime soon.

I think we will be a much better team next year

Baseball-Cardinals
Football-Rams
College Sports-MU Tigers!

by clwxz5 on Dec 13, 2010 11:40 AM CST reply actions

Where is the option for...

underachieving? With this schedule and all the missed opportunities that the Rams had this year, they are definitely underachieving this year. That is my vote

Remember the great 2004 and 2005 Rams teams...

by Marmie is the best on Dec 13, 2010 12:57 PM CST reply actions

I agree

They could be sitting at a better record, at least 2 more wins.
AZ, SF should’ve been wins. shoulda, coulda, woulda, but didn’t I suppose.

I met Joe Halahuni's parents.....in Alaska. Jealous?

by sergey606 on Dec 13, 2010 1:36 PM CST up reply actions

The Mirage is that the Rams are a playoff team. An illusion created by our super sucky division

The Reality is that the Rams are a middle of the road team right now. They are several players and a year or two coaching experience short of being respected in the NFL.

All I want for Christmas is a Pete Carroll scowl on week 17!

by leadhead on Dec 13, 2010 3:18 PM CST reply actions

The record is about right

This year’s schedule was based on last year’s performance – so I say we’re about where we should be. We’ve improved enough to beat lower teams but still get worked by studs. I’d say we’re a 60 on defense, 45 on offense and a 45 on special teams. Sounds about like a 6-7 team to me.

by hlaw on Dec 13, 2010 4:45 PM CST reply actions