Random Ramsdom, 9/10: Rams are ready to roll

by Ryan Van Bibber on Sep 10, 2011 8:10 AM CDT in St. Louis Rams news

The last few miles are always the longest part of the trip, regardless of what kind of trip you're taking, wink, wink. That has certainly been the case for the St. Louis Rams 2011 season which finally kicks off tomorrow morning. Just a little more than 24 hours away, I can barely sit still waiting for it to start. Perhaps some light reading will calm our jangled nerves?

Don't forget that Kyle Turley, former lineman turned rock star, will be playing a free tailgate party before the game tomorrow at 11th and Lucas. It's the perfect hair of the dog for your Sunday morning. There's nothing better than live music to get you pumped up for the Rams' game.

I'll be on the NFL beat tomorrow for SBNation.com. Be sure to check it out and follow me on Twitter at @RVB_SBN.

McDaniels' offense is ready for Philadelphia - St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has his game plan all put together for this week's opener against the Eagles. Still, there are plenty of unknowns as the Eagles revealed very little, as did the Rams, in the preseason. Throw in the fact that Philly has a new defensive coordinator, and this game will come down to how well each team adjusts.

Bernie breaks out the crystal ball, sees big things for the Rams - Friend of the site and columnist extraordinaire Bernie Miklasz from the PD does some soothsaying for the Rams. And what doth the sooth sayeth? Big things ahead for the Rams this year. Bernie predicts 9-7, the division crown and a breakout year from Jason Smith.

Rams vs. Eagles ... who you got? - Writers from the Post-Dispatch split in their predictions for the Rams-Eagles game, right down the middle. Worth noting is that all predict a close contest. This might be a good week to bet on the Rams to beat the spread.

Final Word: NFC West - Sando applies his sage wisdom to the NFC West slate of game this weekend. Of particular emphasis for the Rams-Eagles game, the quarterbacks.

Week 1 Preview: Rams v Eagles " Rams Gab - Jeff over at Rams Gab previews this eek's game. A map of television coverage is included and much of the country will be seeing this game.

Are the Rams ready for the playoffs? - Are the Rams really a playoff team? Perhaps the more important question isn't whether or not they'll make the playoffs, but whether or not they can be successful in the postseason. Will from Rams Herd takes a look.

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Comments

If the Rams can post a 9-7 record against this year's schedule, they are definitely ready for the playoffs and maybe even a post-season win.

Heck the Sh*thawks got a playoff win last season as putrid as they were.

by RamChop on Sep 10, 2011 9:01 AM CDT reply actions

Hilarious

You called a 4-12 clip awhile back.

Just keepin’ ya honest Chop, welcome aboard.

The truth is always the right answer....

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Sep 10, 2011 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions

what?

by RamChop on Sep 10, 2011 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions

You don't remember going off about how we'd be lucky to win 4 games this year with the difficulty of our schedule?

The truth is always the right answer....

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Sep 10, 2011 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Find a reference to that somewhere. Prior to our FA acquistions I said maybe 6-10 or 7-9. 4-12 would be a worst case scenario. I did think 4-12 last year. I've been saying 9-7 since FA and it's documented about 100 times.

Our schedule is horrifying. And with exception of Kendricks I am disappointed big-time with the 2011 draft. But even nematodes should be able to go 3-3 in our pitiful division and snake victories from the Skins, Cleveland and Cincy.

by RamChop on Sep 10, 2011 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Since FA

So you qualified it. But before FA and after the draft you were banging the drum about how we would only win 3 or 4 or 5 games this year cause of how difficult our schedule was.

I remember it distinctly, as I remember most of your lightning rod claims (not an insult, just a fact that you’re a lightning rod).

Too much work to go waaaay back then to prove something I know is true.

But I like your opinions Chop, you know that…..not trying to pull a tiger by the tail here.

The truth is always the right answer....

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Sep 10, 2011 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions

6-10, I stand corrected

http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2011/5/8/2160931/schedule

But you’re more optimistic now, which I like to hear.

The truth is always the right answer....

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Sep 10, 2011 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm realistic as always. It's realistic to be more optimistic as a result of FA.

The single addition of Dahl to replace Goldbrick at RG is a major impact. Then add in Mikell to replace the departed Atogwe, plus Leber and Poppy to replace deadbeats Vobora and Kehl at OLB, and pick up not one, but two, credible RB’s to replace clowns like Darby and Toston and we’re in business, toss in a decent WR in MSW, then top it off by getting Bannan at DT which allows us to sit the worthless Gary Gibson and you zoom from a likely 6-10 season to 3 games better at 9-7. Kendricks is also looking like the best draft pick by far and should start. The aforementioned players are good reasons to believe we’ll win a few more games than we would have otherwise. It’s not so much optimism as potential.

by RamChop on Sep 10, 2011 10:06 PM CDT up reply actions

i think we have 9-7 in us and we get to the playoffs! 2mmrw is big becuz if we can beat the eagles-dream team! lol I know we can beat the giants next mondayà

by kevio3000 on Sep 10, 2011 9:52 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

I think we beat them next week

regardless, if we beat the Eagles it will give the boys massive confidence, if we lose to the Eagles will be out for blood. With the fire that McDaniels brings and the accountablility that Spags brings this team isn’t going to lay down to anyone.

by DaFranchiZe on Sep 10, 2011 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions

monday!

by kevio3000 on Sep 10, 2011 9:52 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

chop! your boi milyard just got cut by the jets too! now what mardy? now what?

by kevio3000 on Sep 10, 2011 10:05 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Can you say wasted draft pick for the 99th player chosen in the 2010 draft?

One could build an entire team from Ram draft mis-fires in rounds 1-4 over the last decade.

by RamChop on Sep 10, 2011 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions

SO WHAT, your not GOD!

11 / 5 you non believer!

Go RAMs !!!

by VETT on Sep 11, 2011 3:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Practice squad I hope.

The truth is always the right answer....

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Sep 10, 2011 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions

One thing I'm really looking forward to

is how the first drive plays out.

In Josh McDaniels offense the first drive or roughly the first 10 plays are all scripted. Last year when the Rams played the Broncos I can remember John Lynch saying that and saying that all the best offenses script their first drive. So it will be interesting to see if the Rams can score a TD when they have been basically practicing this all week.

Next, I want to see if the old deisel has anything left in the tank this year. I know I’m hard on Jackson but I want the best for the Rams not for the individual.

Finally the passing game, this is honestly the biggest test the Rams will face in the passing game. Not even the Steelers will pose a threat like the Eagles because of the combination of speed rushers and elite cornerbacks. If Bradford can be consistent, mistake free and toss 2 touch downs or more then we win this game.

by DaFranchiZe on Sep 10, 2011 10:06 AM CDT reply actions

+1

Good thing with Jackson is he doesn’t have shoulder it all, he has caddy and norwood that can also do damage. Can’t wait for this game I think Sam throws 2 touchdowns and 1 Int around 275 passing yards.

Sam Bradford to Austin Pettis
Kinda has a ring to it

by RG31 on Sep 10, 2011 10:31 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I'm so amped I'm actually anxious / nervous a little

I’m going to slam a 5 Hour Energy on the way to the game and hit up the Church stand for a couple of beers, punch one of the pat down idiots in the face (decorated sea captain style) and I’m ready to roll.

by DaFranchiZe on Sep 10, 2011 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Sounds abiut right

I think they like the pat downs a little too much and I can’t wait to see what this team can do.

Sam Bradford to Austin Pettis
Kinda has a ring to it

by RG31 on Sep 10, 2011 10:51 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Sam Bradford to Austin Pettis
Kinda has a ring to it

by RG31 on Sep 10, 2011 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions

The O-Line better keep the King Safe.

by OakCityRam on Sep 10, 2011 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions

I've really gotten worried about this game

More and more people are picking the Rams and I’ve actually seen/heard “must win” thrown around a couple of times. What started as a reasonable possible upset has now turned into the favorites in way too many’s eyes and if the Rams lose this game that will be completely reasonable to lose it’s just going to fuel the “sophomore slump” talk that’s gonna follow this team all year.

by HomerForTheRams on Sep 10, 2011 10:55 AM CDT reply actions

Even the Eagles Pundits are getting a waver in their voice-

As you can see, the Rams have some talent on the offensive side of the ball this season, as well as a new coordinator who knows how to put defenses on their heels. But while the same can be said of Castillo’s defensive unit, this offense hasn’t had much time to gel, and it’s led by a second-year starter under center. It’s easy to get caught up wondering who will cover whom, but it will take some solid scheme work on the part of Castillo in order to close all the windows listed above.

The excuses for an Eagles loss are bubbling to the surface-

In the cool still quiet hours of night, you can hear Eagles players softly uttering love words to themselves while kissing their hands and arms. "I am the Dream team-I am the Dream team"

by Knoxfan on Sep 10, 2011 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions