FanPost

I just can't see the Rams being THAT bad this year.

Here's my 1st post on TST. While I've been disappointed in our FA acquisitions, hope springs eternal in the human breast. First, I don't think our 2010 schedule is all that tough. The Cards minus Warner, Boldin and others should no longer automatically blow us out. And while the Sea Hawks and 49ers also stomped us last year, neither team was really any good.

If we take Bradford, he'll be an immediate positive impact on offense. This guy is big and he's GOOD. Sam will have capable receivers like Robinson, Avery, Gibson and Burton. He will need a good catching TE who can also block taken in the mid rounds (maybe 4th) of the draft. Sam will have Smith, Brown, Barron, Bell, Fraley, Setts, Greco and Karney to block for him. Maybe they're not all the greatest players, but they should be at least capable. The axing of mindfreak Incognito is really a plus for the team. Having a credible passing game will take the bullseye off Jackson's jersey on every play. But he still needs a capable backup, which ain't Darby. I sure hope the FO has some plan to address the need for a worthwhile b/u RB. Other observations: (1) Amendola is a competent KR, (2) Josh Brown can still kick FG's (although I hope he's kicking more extra points this season) and. (3) when we have to punt, Donnie Jones can quite often save us yardage on field position.

On defense we already have Chris Long, JL, James Butler, Atogwe and Bartell. Maybe Fletcher comes back ok too. The defensive line is still weak and will have to rely mostly on Long and Ryan. James Hall is too old except for rotation. It's good we let old -timer, and former great, Leonard Little go. Carriker is probably nothing but trade bait for maybe a 6-7th rounder. Like Hall, Robbins is probably no more than a backup or rotational player. Since we can't grab a Suh/McCoy superman this year, maybe we can find a decent DE/DT with the 3rd pick to help out Long and Ryan. The 2nd pick needs to be an OLB! Cause JL's got to have some real support back there, and it ain't Paris Lenon.


The coaching and play calling will likely improve after last year's dubious start. OC Shurmur has got to be more innovative and Spags has got be smarter overall. We can ill afford dumb plays and stupid decisions.

John Clayton, Don Banks and Peter King aside, with a good draft and a few breaks I could see the Rams at 8-8 this year. And that might just be good enough to claim the NFC West title.