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September 7, 2015 at 4:40 pm #30047
znModeratorAre St. Louis Rams are poised for a playoff berth?
Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff Writer
EARTH CITY, Mo. — In this week’s edition of Sports Illustrated, their staff unveiled their annual NFL preview. In it, senior writer Greg Bedard released his playoff and Super Bowl selections.
For what it’s worth, Bedard chose the Ravens to defeat the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. But for fans of the St. Louis Rams seeking optimism that this is finally the season they break out, well, Bedard is your guy.
Included in his predictions, Bedard has the Rams going 11-5, coming up a game behind Seattle in the NFC West division but earning an NFC wild card in the process. It would be the first winning record for the Rams since 2003 and their first playoff berth since 2004. The fun stops there, though, as he has the Rams falling in the first round of the playoffs.
So is it that far-fetched? Well, it depends on who you ask. I have written and will have more later this week with a season prediction that the Rams offense (or lack thereof) will prevent them from taking the next step out of the mediocrity they’ve been stuck in the past three years.
But if the Rams can somehow manage to get through the first five games with a 3-2 or better record, they could certainly be in play late in the season when it’s time to make a playoff push. The defense will have to carry the day in the first five weeks — but if it does, and the offense limits mistakes, the Rams will be better positioned to deliver for those who deem them a team ready to breakthrough.
September 7, 2015 at 4:56 pm #30049
wvParticipantBut if the Rams can somehow manage to get through the first five games with a 3-2 or better record, they could certainly be in play late in the season when it’s time to make a playoff push. The defense will have to carry the day in the first five weeks — but if it does, and the offense limits mistakes, the Rams will be better positioned to deliver for those who deem them a team ready to breakthrough.
If this is a team thats finally become a wildcard-playoff-team,
I would think they have to split the first four games.
I dont think they can pull another 1-3 type opening month.
They gotta get a split in those first four.Seahawks
at Washington
Steelers
at Cardinalsw
vSeptember 7, 2015 at 5:24 pm #30050
WinnbradParticipantIt gets worse…
Seahawks – 50/50
at Washington – should be a win
Steelers – 50/50
at Cardinals – loss
at Green Bay – loss
Bye WeekIf the Rams are 3-2 at the bye I’ll be thrilled. There’s no way this team wins in Arizona and Green Bay. IMO they gotta start the season 3-0 to have any real shot at the playoffs.
The good news is, after the bye, the Rams have Cleveland and Frisco in St Louis. They could win both of those.
The bad news is they still have 5 road games after that. And so far, under Fisher, the Rams have not proven to be a good road team. They’re one of the worst, actually.
The remaining schedule after home games against Cleveland and San Fran. I can’t see the Rams winning any of these road games.
@ Minnesota Vikings
Chicago Bears
@ Baltimore Ravens
@ Cincinnati Bengals
Arizona Cardinals
Detroit Lions
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
@ Seattle Seahawks
@ San Francisco 49ersSeptember 7, 2015 at 5:34 pm #30052wvParticipantIt gets worse…
Seahawks – 50/50
at Washington – should be a win
Steelers – 50/50
at Cardinals – loss
at Green Bay – loss
Bye WeekIf the Rams are 3-2 at the bye I’ll be thrilled. There’s no way this team wins in Arizona and Green Bay. IMO they gotta start the season 3-0 to have any real shot at the playoffs.
The good news is, after the bye, the Rams have Cleveland and Frisco in St Louis. They could win both of those.
The bad news is they still have 5 road games after that. And so far, under Fisher, the Rams have not proven to be a good road team. They’re one of the worst, actually.
The remaining schedule after home games against Cleveland and San Fran. I can’t see the Rams winning any of these road games.
@ Minnesota Vikings
Chicago Bears
@ Baltimore Ravens
@ Cincinnati Bengals
Arizona Cardinals
Detroit Lions
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
@ Seattle Seahawks
@ San Francisco 49ersI think they can beat the Cardinals on the road.
I think that one is winnable.I have a hard time picturing a win
on the road at Green Bay though.Gurley could certainly change
things if he can play.w
vSeptember 7, 2015 at 5:50 pm #30053WinnbradParticipantI hope Gurley turns out to be all he’s hyped to be. We need playmakers on offense, and we need’em bad.
It’ll be interesting to see how good this offense is if their first string QB stays healthy all year.
September 7, 2015 at 6:23 pm #30054
PA RamParticipantOf all the opening games there is only one team a bigger home dog than the Rams…and that’s the Bears at 7-7.5 to the Pack.
Rams are 4 to 4.5 home dogs.
Rams over/under for season is 8.
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. " Philip K. Dick
September 7, 2015 at 9:00 pm #30062znModeratorStrengths and Weaknesses of the Rams’ Intriguing 53-Man Roster
Randy Karraker
http://www.101sports.com/2015/09/07/strengths-and-weaknesses-of-the-rams-intriguing-53-man-roster/
The Rams’ initial 53 man roster as they get ready for their opener against Seattle on Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome has a type of intrigue that we’ve never seen in St. Louis.
The level of stability on defense is pleasantly notable, and the amount of change and inexperience on offense could be the 2015 Rams’ best chance for success if they grow up quickly.
In a nearly unprecedented occurrence in the NFL in this day and age, there’s only one change among the defensive starters. Jo Lonn Dunbar was released in the final cutdown, and Akeem Ayers will start at strong side linebacker.
Otherwise, the defensive line is the same last year at the end of the season, with a line of Robert Quinn and Chris Long at the ends and Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers at the ends.
James Laurinaitis returns at middle linebacker and Alex Ogletree on the weak side. And in the secondary, Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson man the corners while Rodney McLeod and T.J. McDonald are the safeties.
With the same defensive coordinator in Gregg Williams, there’s no reason for this group to not be great.
Also notable about the defense is the fact that ten of the eleven starters are home grown. Ayers is the only starter on defense who didn’t get his NFL start with the Rams. Along the lines, the Rams are unusually home grown.
Last year, Kendall Langford started the season at defensive tackle and was replaced by Donald. The group of Long, Donald, Brockers and Quinn is the second home grown defensive line for the Rams in St. Louis, following the 2005 group of Leonard Little, Jimmy Kennedy, Ryan Pickett and Anthony Hargrove.
This will be the first time that the entire starting offensive line has been home grown since the Rams moved to St. Louis.
There has always been a free agent or trade acquisition in the group, from Dwayne White to John Gerak to John Flannery to Adam Timmerman, to the Jason Browns, Jacob Bells and Harvey Dahls of the world. The group of Greg Robinson, Jamon Brown, either Tim Barnes or Demetrious Rhaney, Rodger Saffold and Rob Havenstein comprise the first group of Rams starters up front that were either drafted by or originally signed by the St. Louis Rams.
That continuity and those roots are a good thing, if the players can play. Now they must by coached and nurtured.
By the way, the only Rams offensive lineman on the roster not originally given his start by the organization is Garrett Reynolds, so credit must be given to the scouting and drafting departments.
That being said, it’s highly unusual to have the amount of inexperience the Rams do up front. It’s going to be difficult for this group, outside of Saffold, to stand up to what they face early on.
In week one, the Seahawks have one of the top defenses in the league, as we know. In week three, the Rams host Pittsburgh. Then they face the great Arizona defense and the Packers, where Dom Capers will provide some looks and stunts they haven’t seen yet.
To succeed this year, the Rams are going to have to overcome that inexperience up front.
To be effective, they’re going to have to provide the group a simple game plan with easily understandable zone schemes. Quarterback Nick Foles is going to need to be given the opportunity to get the ball out quickly on passing plays, and receivers are going to have to get separation and win one-on-one battles with defensive backs.
This would be a great time for tight end Jared Cook to become the impact player the Rams are paying him to be.
In the running game, it’ll be more of the same. Simplicity will be a key, especially once Todd Gurley is ready to go.
While communication, technique and knowledge are keys to pass blocking, great run blocking can be achieved by being aggressive and mauling the competition. If the Rams can drive the opposing defensive line off the ball and open a hole for Gurley or Tre Mason, they can achieve quality in the run game.
If Gurley is given the opportunity to beat a linebacker or safety one-on-one, he has the size and strength to run him over, and the speed and moves to get around and run away.
Of course, if the run game starts clicking, all bets are off for the passing game because play action passes are what head coach Jeff Fisher and offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti want, and what Foles does best. If, as the season goes along, the running game starts clicking, this will be an offense capable of putting up points.
And with their young veteran defense, everything else being equal, eventually they should be able to score more than they allow. Of course, that “everything else being equal” includes avoiding costly penalties and not turning the ball over.
As the Rams get ready to roll against Seattle, they’ll need some quick growing up and some luck. But the home grown talent should evolve and be enough to give them a chance to win on many Sundays.
September 8, 2015 at 12:27 am #30066znModeratorTen questions for Rams’ season are revisted
Jim Thomas
St. Louis Rams quarterback Nick Foles throws during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
As the Rams move to game-week mode for the season opener, against Seattle, we reexamine 10 questions facing the Rams as they embark on the season:
1. IS FOLES THE ANSWER?
Apparently so. The Rams felt so strongly about Foles they signed him to a $24.5 million contract extension that could keep him around through the 2017 season. And they did so before he’d thrown even a preseason pass. Foles has gotten progressively better on the field, first through the offseason practices, then camp and then the preseason. His arm looks stronger now than it did in June. In terms of leadership and presence, he seems to have made a quick connection with teammates. But even Rams coaches would concede some unknowns remain as Foles continues to learn the offense.
2. WILL YOUTH BE SERVED ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE?
More than we even anticipated at the start of camp. The Rams will indeed start rookies Jamon Brown (left guard) and Rob Havenstein (right tackle) on opening day. Brown was switched very late in camp from right guard to left. And with Barrett Jones released, it’s either Tim Barnes (four NFL starts) or Demetrius Rhaney (zero NFL games) at center. All told the Rams have five rookies among the 10 offensive linemen on the roster. Only Rodger Saffold, Garrett Reynolds, Greg Robinson and Barnes have played in an NFL regular-season game.
3. WHEN IS IT ‘TODD’S TIME?’
It won’t be noon Sunday against the Seahawks. Coach Jeff Fisher already has ruled out Todd Gurley for the season opener. He will remove his yellow no-contact beanie when the team returns to the practice field the following Tuesday, meaning he will have no restrictions as he completes the final stages of his return from knee surgery. But it figures to take the rookie running back from Georgia a few weeks to really get into football shape. If we had to hazard a guess on Gurley’s debut game, maybe Game 3 (vs. Pittsburgh) — but more likely Game 4 (on Oct. 4, at Arizona).
4. WHAT WILL CIGNETTI DO?
Hopefully more touchdowns than we saw in the preseason. The Rams scored only 48 points in exhibition play, tying Dallas for the league low. The offense scored only five TDs. In what has become typical for a Fisher team, the Rams didn’t show much under Frank Cignetti, their new offensive coordinator. Will the man known as “Cigs” stick with the run? Will he try more razzle-dazzle and trick plays than predecessor Brian Schottenheimer? Will he make a more concerted effort to get the ball to Tavon Austin? This, and much more, remains to be seen.
5. IS THERE ENOUGH AT WIDE RECEIVER?
Should be. No one’s saying the Rams have anything resembling a true No. 1 receiver. And no one’s saying they have an elite unit. But they have enough talent, and now have enough seasoning to get the job done. Now recovered and back from shoulder surgery, it looks as if Brian Quick will start slowly. He participated in only 30 preseason plays, appearing in the final two exhibition games without catching a pass. Austin flashed his big-play potential on a couple of occasions. A resurgent Chris Givens might have been the team’s offensive MVP for the preseason.
6. CAN THE DEFENSE DOMINATE?
It was a blow losing E.J. Gaines (foot injury) for the season. He was the team’s most consistent cornerback a year ago, as a rookie. Without Gaines it’s all about the 3Js at corner — Janoris Jenkins, Trumaine Johnson and Lamarcus Joyner. Joyner in particular must step up his play at nickel back. Overall, the starting defense was just so-so in the preseason, although it didn’t give up a lot of points. You have the feeling, though, that the unit will turn it up for the season opener; the players have talked a lot about getting off to a quicker start this year, particularly against the run.
7. HOW ABOUT WINNING IN SEPTEMBER FOR A CHANGE?
Although the first-team offense looked better late in the preseason, there wasn’t a lot that was seen to give hope that this unit can get out of the gate quickly. If that’s indeed the case, then it’s up to defense and special teams to reverse the trend of slow starts under Fisher. The Rams have started 3-5 in all three seasons under Fisher and started 1-3 the past two seasons. The opening schedule isn’t conducive to a fast start, either, with four of the first five contests against 2014 playoff teams. And three of those first five contests take place on the road.
8. FISHER’S FUTURE IN DOUBT?
They always say there’s two things you don’t want to do in the preseason — go 4-0 or 0-4. Well, the Rams did the latter, going winless in exhibition play for only the second time in 21 years in St. Louis. Sometimes what happens in August has no bearing whatsoever on the regular season. Sometimes it does. Although another losing regular season would be a fourth consecutive one for Fisher, the vibe at Rams Park doesn’t seem to be one of a head coach in trouble. Perhaps owner Stan Kroenke wants to tap Fisher’s experience in relocating a franchise.
9. WHO STAYS? WHO GOES?
With about a dozen players scheduled for unrestricted free agency after this season, including several starters, the Rams have talked to many about new contracts. But so far only Foles has been signed to a new deal. Even so, it wouldn’t be surprising to see another player or two re-signed either before Sunday’s opener or early in the season. The Rams have salary cap room. They were $4.6 million under the cap after the Foles deal and gained more room with the release of quarterback Austin Davis ($1.55 million cap count) and linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar ($1.35 million).
10. CALIFORNIA DREAMING?
For “St. Louis” Rams fans — including Joe Buck — Kroenke’s two-day pep rally in Oxnard, Calif., was difficult to watch. During a nationally televised training camp practice at Rams Park, the team tightened its sign policy for fans. The same thing appears to be taking place in the Edward Jones Dome. Attendance was down sharply for exhibition games, and if the trend continues in the regular season it could mute any home-field advantage for the Rams and in the process aid Silent Stan’s plan to move the team to Los Angeles after this season.
September 8, 2015 at 7:57 am #30070znModeratorDefensive line could put Rams back in playoffs
AP
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Rams have been stockpiling defensive linemen for so long, end Chris Long has played for three head coaches.
If the franchise is able to end a drought of 11 seasons without a winning record, all of that talent assembled over the years will no doubt be the main reason.
The latest upgrade was free agent Nick Fairley, a tackle that gave the Rams (6-10) five former first-rounders up front. Long was the second pick in 2008 by Scott Linehan. Robert Quinn came during the Steve Spagnuolo/Billy Devaney era, and the Jeff Fisher/Les Snead team added Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers.
The offense has plenty of question marks, with Todd Gurley still rehabbing from left knee surgery, two rookie linemen starting, and no established go-to wide receiver for new quarterback Nick Foles.
Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has an ideal situation by comparison, beginning his second season with virtually everybody back and no new playbook to absorb. The lone casualty is cornerback E.J. Gaines, out for the year following foot surgery.
The pass rush really clicked in the final two-thirds of last season with 40 sacks in the last 11 games after none in the first five. The defense will be needed to step up right away with the Rams opening at home Sunday against the defending NFC champion Seahawks.
“I think we’re where we need to be at this point,” Long said. “We’re going to play them tough and we always do, and they always play us tough.”
Things to watch for from the Rams:
CENTER OF ATTENTION: Rookie offensive linemen Rob Havenstein and Jamon Brown played side by side at right tackle and guard the first half of the preseason before the Rams split them up and put Brown at left guard. It’s tough enough jumping into the lineup out of college without making that switch.
Coach Jeff Fisher said he’ll announce a starting center after practice Wednesday. Tim Barnes started the preseason finale and is likely to get the nod with Demetrius Rhaney serving in a utility role. Barnes has four career NFL starts, Rhaney none.
GURLEY WATCH: The Rams were so high on Gurley, they drafted him 10th overall even though he was injured. Gurley has been practicing the last few weeks but has already been ruled out for the opener and could miss the first three or four games.
Tre Mason, the starter last year, will step in if he’s recovered from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the preseason finale, with versatile Benny Cunningham and Isaiah Pead also in the mix.
FOLES FACTOR: Foles quickly impressed his new team and signed a two-year contract extension last month. He had been entering the final year of his deal and was highly productive when healthy in Philadelphia.
“I think the big thing is I just felt comfortable running the offense, being out there playing again,” Foles said. “Now it’s getting real. Season’s here. I’m excited.”
EMPTY SEATS: The Edward Jones Dome was no more than one-third full for either of the home preseason games, with fans fretting the franchise will move back to Los Angeles after the season. Season ticket sales are down. Owner Stan Kroenke’s only public sighting during training camp was in Oxnard, California, where he hobnobbed with Jerry Jones while the Rams practiced with the Cowboys.
Kroenke has been silent about his intentions since acquiring a parcel of land in Inglewood, California, where a stadium could be built. The Rams are year to year on their lease at the dome.
PUT UP TIME: Fisher made a six-win improvement for a 7-9 finish in 2012, his first season, but since then the franchise has treaded water. The Rams backslid a bit last year, struggling after QB Sam Bradford’s second consecutive season-ending knee injury.
The Rams were 0-4 in the preseason, not exactly cause for alarm, but not the greatest sign for a franchise desperate for success, either.
“Disappointed we didn’t find a way to win a preseason, but I’m also very excited to have it over now — as everybody else is,” Fisher said.
September 8, 2015 at 11:16 pm #30114znModerator2015 St. Louis Rams game-by-game predictions
By Nick Wagonerhttp://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/20469/2015-st-louis-rams-game-by-game-predictions
Back in April, I predicted that the St. Louis Rams would finish with an 8-8 record before seeing what they did in the draft and how they finished the offseason. After seeing them in camp and the preseason, I’m sticking with that choice. While they have talent, the offense will take too long to rev up and the defense won’t be able to carry them to enough wins for a breakthrough.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, vs. Seattle, 1 p.m. ET
The Rams have been a tough out for the Seahawks at home in recent years, including a trickery-induced victory in 2014. In a game that will feature two offensive lines trying to find themselves and two defenses primed for big things, expect another NFC West slugfest with little scoring. The Rams find a way to steal one late. Rams 13, Seahawks 10. Record: 1-0
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, at Washington, 1 p.m. ET
The Redskins will be in search of revenge for the Rams’ shutout victory a season ago when coach Jeff Fisher sent out the players acquired with the draft picks from the 2012 trade as team captains. Washington coach Jay Gruden might bring something extra to the table in search of a victory this time, but the Rams defense should be able to overwhelm a team still in search of answers on the offensive line and quarterback. Rams 24, Redskins 14. Record: 2-0
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, vs. Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. ET
Expect plenty of Steelers faithful in the stands for this one as Pittsburgh brings its high-powered offense to town. The bad news for the Rams is that Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell will be making his debut here after having his suspension reduced to two games. The worse news is that Antonio Brown is exactly the type of receiver who can give the Rams’ secondary fits. Steelers 30, Rams 20. Record: 2-1
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4, at Arizona, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Rams and Cardinals had a pair of close matchups in 2014, and Arizona emerged with both victories. The Cardinals will again be a tough out and with Carson Palmer under center they should find a way to yet another victory here. Cardinals 20, Rams 16. Record 2-2
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, at Green Bay, 1 p.m. ET
A brutal three-game stretch comes to an end against one of the league’s most dynamic offenses in one of the toughest road environments in the NFL. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is able to avoid the pass rush and take advantage of a secondary that allowed the highest completion percentage in the league last year as the Packers roll. Packers 34, Rams 17. Record: 2-3
Week 6: Bye
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, vs. Cleveland, 1 p.m. ET
Coming off a much-needed bye, the Rams get to host the Browns in what should be a winnable game. Cleveland has some good pieces on defense but not enough to overcome a barrage from the Rams defense. Cleveland stays close before the Rams pull away late. Rams 24, Browns 9. Record: 3-3
Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, vs. San Francisco, 1 p.m. ET
The Rams get their first-look at the revamped Niners and like what they see as they are able to get after Colin Kaepernick and find more success running the ball on offense than they’ve had in recent meetings with San Francisco. Rams 20, 49ers 14. Record: 4-3
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8, at Minnesota, 1 p.m. ET
The Vikings throttled the Rams in the 2014 season opener and while the Rams hope things have changed for the better, the Vikings look like the team on the rise that many have believed the Rams to be in recent years. The Rams have had a knack for pulling off surprising wins and having disappointing losses under Fisher’s guidance. This has the makings of the latter. Vikings 31, Rams 13. Record: 4-4
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 15, vs. Chicago, 1 p.m. ET
The storylines here will likely involve the Long brothers playing against each other and what figures to be a crowd heavy on Bears fans. But this should also be a game the Rams need to win. They will. Rams 31, Bears 21. Record: 5-4
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, at Baltimore, 1 p.m. ET
The Rams defense allowed too many big plays in the passing game last year, a trend they hope to reverse in 2015. But Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco offers some not-so-heartwarming flashbacks as he connects with Steve Smith and rookie Breshad Perriman for enough big plays to prevent the Rams from going two games over .500. Ravens 26, Rams 19. Record: 5-5
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29, at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. ET
The Rams’ habit of pulling off a surprising or mildly surprising victory or two every year comes to the forefront here as they go to Cincinnati and handle the Bengals with relative ease. Think of the Indianapolis game in 2013. Rams 27, Bengals 13. Record: 6-5
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, vs. Arizona, 1 p.m. ET
Expect a near replay of last year’s meeting in St. Louis, when points were hard to come by and the Cardinals found a way to get the win late. Only difference is this time the Rams finally overcome the Cardinals and make the play that gets them a victory. Rams 13, Cardinals 6. Record: 7-5
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, vs. Detroit, 1 p.m. ET
The Rams have a bad habit of losing a home game or two they’re expected to win every season. In 2013 it was the Titans. Last year it was the Giants. Let’s go with Calvin Johnson and the Lions this year as the Rams’ playoff hopes take a hit. Lions 26, Rams 20. Record: 7-6
Week 15: Thursday, Dec. 17, vs. Tampa Bay, 8:25 p.m. ET
This could be the Rams’ final home game in St. Louis and in prime time to boot. But if it is, at least they go out on a high note as they give Jameis Winston fits with their pass rush and put themselves back in the mix for a wild card. Rams 22, Buccaneers 10. Record: 8-6
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27, at Seattle, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Rams begin a two-game West Coast swing with a trip to face the Seahawks. Playing in Seattle has been difficult for everyone, especially the Rams, and those struggles continue here as Seattle puts the NFC West away and all but eliminates the Rams from the playoff picture. Seahawks 20, Rams 9. Record: 8-7
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at San Francisco, 4:25 p.m. ET
Officially out of the playoff picture, the Rams don’t come away with the performance many would expect against a Niners team that is also already out of the race. Whether the Rams stay on the West Coast in the week leading up to the game or travel back and forth, they look fatigued and come up short of their first winning record since 2003. 49ers 16, Rams 13. Record: 8-8
September 10, 2015 at 5:08 pm #30195znModeratorGrantland labels Rams a team on the rise
Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/21198/grantland-labels-rams-a-team-on-the-rise
EARTH CITY, Mo. — In the on-going NFL season preview over at sister site Grantland.com, NFL writer Bill Barnwell has been putting teams into four categories. Earlier this week, he unveiled the “cellar dwellers” and the “falling stars.”
On Wednesday, Barnwell revealed the next group, which is called “the rising.” http://grantland.com/the-triangle/nfl-2015-season-predictions-part-3-the-rising/ In other words, the teams Barnwell views as on the way up. It’s also the category where you can find the St. Louis Rams.
In his best-case scenario for the Rams, Barnwell writes that running back Todd Gurley goes off when he becomes the starter, the defense does what’s expected of it and the Rams take advantage of the 49ers (his NFC West choice for cellar dweller) and the Cardinals (his choice for falling star).
In the worst case, Barnwell says injuries hit Gurley and quarterback Nick Foles, the defensive line can’t cover up for inconsistent cornerbacks and the fans jump ship before the Rams move west.
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from NFL 2015 Season Predictions, Part 3: The Rising
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/nfl-2015-season-predictions-part-3-the-rising/
These previews sure are easy when you write them weeks in advance! After the season-ending injury to cornerback E.J. Gaines, just about everything else has gone largely as expected for the Rams. Todd Gurley’s on schedule, Nick Foles looks overwhelmed, and the defensive line is going to be terrifying.
One fun thing about the Rams that I missed: They’re going to have an entire side of the offensive line dedicated to rookie linemen. Both the Rams and Bucs will be starting two rookie linemen in Week 1, but Tampa Bay has one (Donovan Smith) at left tackle and the other (Ali Marpet) at right guard; the Rams look likely to start third-rounder Jamon Brown at right guard and second-rounder Rob Havenstein at right tackle. That can’t happen very frequently. If it goes well, the Rams have players who will start for the next four years quickly becoming accustomed to playing alongside one another. If it doesn’t — and the Rams don’t exactly have a great history of developing offensive linemen — Foles is going to hear about it and quick.
Best-Case Scenario: Gurley wins offensive rookie of the year when he runs for 1,400 yards across 13 games, the pass rush destroys opposing quarterbacks, and the Rams benefit from the declining Cardinals and 49ers to go 10-6 and claim a wild-card berth.
Worst-Case Scenario: Both Foles and Gurley get injured, the pass rush fails to cover up the weaknesses at cornerback, and the Rams are abandoned by their fans in advance of a move out west.
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September 11, 2015 at 1:51 am #30223znModeratorbtw, This is a good video. Rams Report: 53-Man Roster Breakdown
Join reporter Dani Klupenger and insider Myles Simmons as they take an inside look at the Rams’ 53-Man Roster http://www.stlouisrams.com/videos/videos/Rams-Report-53-Man-Roster-Breakdown/6bae10e5-0c17-4d33-85a9-b04d9520cc93September 11, 2015 at 2:07 am #30225znModeratorRams banking on revamped run game to get in the zone
Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff WriterEARTH CITY, Mo. — After Frank Cignetti took over as the St. Louis Rams new offensive coordinator early this offseason, he promised that there’d be some changes coming.
With former tight ends coach Rob Boras promoted to assistant head coach/offense with a focus on the run game, the Rams offered a clear glimpse at who they are hoping to become offensively. The emphasis and devotion to creating a run game that can move the chains, control the clock and offer quarterback Nick Foles opportunities to make plays down the field became more clear in the NFL draft when the Rams selected running back Todd Gurley No. 10 overall and followed with four offensive linemen.
On Sunday, the Rams will lift the curtain on their new-look offense against the daunting Seattle Seahawks defense after a preseason in which they once again took a vanilla approach to play calling.
“We went into the preseason with thoughts about what we wanted to get done before we even played a game,” Cignetti said. “We looked at it and said, ‘Hey we get four preseason games, what do we want to do in each game?’ from a standpoint of a run plan, a protection plan and a pass game plan.”
While Cignetti has installed some tweaks all over the offense, it’s the changes made to the run game that will perhaps be the biggest factor in whether the Rams can have more success offensively in the first season with Cignetti at the helm.
“It’s important for everything we do as an offense,” rookie guard Jamon Brown said. “Establishing the run early allows us once we get to the pass downs to be able to do what we’re trying to do and that’s convert those pass downs, those third downs. If we have positive yards on first and second down, it makes it easier for us on third downs. So establishing the run early is going to be very important for us and I think we’ve got the guys up front that are ready to get down and get dirty a little bit and open some holes for our backs to do our thing.”
To be sure, the Rams aren’t completely overhauling the offense or the run game. In addition to some of the power man-blocking concepts they’ve used in recent years, they intend to add more outside zone plays to the mix.
For the offensive line, outside zone concepts ask them to move laterally and push defenders to the side to open cutback lanes. That means they have to be diligent about moving fast to make things happen, especially as they adjust to lining up in a three-point stance on a consistent basis.
“If you are coming from a team that runs the read option and all those things in a two-point stance, it is a major adjustment,” offensive line coach Paul Boudreau said. “That’s a big adjustment for these guys. Even from high school, some of these guys have never put their hand in the dirt.”
For the running back, his task is fairly simple on the surface. His job is to find a hole, make one cut and go. It has been a staple of the Seahawks over the past few years and comes with one important prerequisite: patience.
“I feel like with this scheme, it’s more patience,” running back Benny Cunningham said. “You have got to be real patient and trust everybody. It’s not a lot of difference but the outside zone we are doing now, I feel like it’s just about being patient.”
From the Rams’ perspective, the adjustment shouldn’t be anything they can’t handle though they are also charged with the task of getting off to a fast start despite some moving personnel pieces. With Tre Mason (hamstring) and Gurley (knee) recovering from injuries, the Rams will likely look to Cunningham to jumpstart the offense.
Cunningham said he played in a scheme with a lot of outside zone at Middle Tennessee State and though he had to relearn it this offseason, it has come back fairly easily. According to Cunningham, the mantra for all Rams runners this offseason has been “slow to, fast through” the hole as a way of reminding themselves to be patient.
In two years with the Rams, Cunningham has not started a game and had double-digit carries in a game only once. But if his opportunity arises against a Seattle defense that held the Rams to just 3.13 yards per carry in two meetings last year, Cunningham knows it won’t be easy but that he must take advantage of the chance.
“Anytime you get the opportunity to kind of remind the team how valuable you can be, you try to look forward to those opportunities,” Cunningham said.
As for the offensive linemen, Rob Havenstein said Wisconsin did a little bit of outside zone when he was in college but the Badgers were more inside zone and power. Those will still be part of the Rams’ attack in 2015, but Havenstein said he’s adjusted well to new concepts.
Brown said he did a lot of zone in college at Louisville so it hasn’t been much of a change.
“It helped me make that transition to this level being able to do that in college and how often we did it helped me,” Brown said. “So really, I’m just trying to use the tools I learned in college, maybe tweak them a little bit to make it so I can do it at the NFL level and then go.”
If the line and the backs can make it work early, it would go a long way toward helping the Rams’ offense become what they envisioned when the offseason began.
September 11, 2015 at 10:03 pm #30255znModeratorBernie: 10 Keys to Rams’ 2015 Season
Posted by: Bernie Miklasz
http://www.101sports.com/2015/09/11/bernie-10-keys-to-rams-2015-season/
Plenty of good tickets remain for the Rams’ season-opening game against Seattle on Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome. Standing-room only? Yeah, but only if the game is moved to Jeff Fisher’s backyard.
At least Rams are assured of having one sell-out in 2015: that would be Enos Stanley Kroenke.
The most interesting tail-gaiting scene will take place after the season, with local-TV news trucks gassed up to begin a close pursuit of Kroenke’s moving fans as they head west on I-70. If you’ve been waiting for the Rams to connect on a long pass, it will definitely happen if the NFL sends Kroenke on a fly pattern to Los Angeles.
With Kroenke’s franchise suspended in mid-air, we’re in for a weird season of football in St. Louis. We may witness something unusual, incredible, or truly outlandish.
The Rams could make the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
They could have their first winning season since 2003.
They could become LA’s team for the first time since 1994.
Or, in the longest of longshots, Kroenke could speak publicly in St. Louis for the first time since Jan. 17, 2012.
That’s when the pinstripe-suited Kroenke _ displaying the personal magnetism of an especially morose undertaker _ briefly rocked the microphone to introduce Fisher as the Rams’ new head coach during a news conference at the team’s Earth City headquarters.
“I can tell you this,” Kroenke said. “As of five minutes ago, Jeff and I both put our names on a contract upstairs that will keep him here for a good while. And we’re really excited about it.”
You’ll notice that Kroenke said the signed deal would keep Fisher in St. Louis for a good while.
The problem is, Kroenke never said that HE would remain in St. Louis for a good while.
Kroenke’s future and the Rams’ home in 2016 will be determined after the season, after the NFL cuts the desired backroom deal. This much we know: the Rams are here now. And if the NFL turns its franchise-relocation guidelines into scrap paper, then it’s onto Inglewood.
As the two-time defending NFC champion Seahawks traveled to St. Louis, they were preparing to enter another dimension.
A dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind.
A land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas.
“It’s like you’re in the Twilight Zone,” Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane told Seattle-area media on Thursday. “It’s kind of hard to describe.”
OK, Mebane. You got it.
I’ll take the meme and run with it.
In 2015, the Edward Jones Dome should be rebranded and renamed.
Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Rod Serling Dome!
“It’s real tough to play there,” Mebane said. “The lights are real dim. The crowd is real small. It’s just real quiet out there. It’s 10 o’clock in the morning (Seattle time), so we try not to be too sleepy. We’ve got to wake up and we’ve got to go.”
That also would apply to the Rams.
After beginning each of the past three seasons with a 3-5 record halfway through the 16-game schedule, the Rams have to rouse themselves, energize, and accelerate to a more advantageous position. Another pokey start will doom them. If they want to end the streak of non-winning, non-playoff seasons, the Rams must quickly find the fast lane and zoom past their usual 3-5 start.
Seattle is the first roadblock.
Here are the 10 keys to a successful Rams’ season:
1. The rapid maturation of the offensive line.
Three new starters. Two rookies. Only one player, guard Rodger Saffold, with more than 12 NFL starts. Saffold has started 60 NFL games; the other four first-string O-linemen have combined for 16.
The path to a productive, above-average Rams offense will be cleared by the big men up front.
Or not.
“All these things have changed in football,” said Dan Dierdorf, the Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle during an in-studio interview on my 101 ESPN radio show. “One of the things that has not changed in football is simply this: if you can’t control the offensive line of scrimmage, you can’t win. You may win an occasional game by running back an interception or a punt. If you can’t control the offensive line of scrimmage, you are never going to be a good football team.
“The Rams have struggled as you know on the line of scrimmage for years now. And with all that youth, how long will it take them to start functioning as a unit. It’s a very great question. … how long will it take? I’m telling you, a really good offensive line makes everybody better. It can make an average quarterback into a good quarterback. It can make an average running back into a thousand-yard back. How many times do you see it where if you can one first down will win you the football game? And you see teams that can’t do it. Teams that can do it _ they’re the ones that consistently win.”
2. Score more points, or forget the playoffs.
In Coach Fisher’s three seasons, the offense struggled to reach the end zone and never approached the playoff-team level of points scored. (I’m talking points scored only by the offense _ not on special teams or by the defense.)
In 2012, the Rams scored 261 points from scrimmage which ranked 28th. That season the 12 NFL playoff teams averaged 385 points from scrimmage.
In 2013, the Rams improved to 304 points on offense, which ranked 22nd; playoff teams averaged 401 points.
In 2014, the Rams slipped to 289 points from scrimmage, ranking 23rd. The playoff-team average was 385 points.
But there is a way into the postseason _ yeah, even if the Rams fail to meet the playoff-team standard on offense. A veteran Rams defense has the talent and potential to shut opponents down in 2015, and may not require a 400-point season from the offense to take care of business. That said, the Rams “O” would likely have to raise its points-scored total to at least the NFL-average level of the past three seasons. And that means around 340 points from scrimmage.
nick foles-2Rams QB Nick Foles
3. Quarterback Nick Foles: well, what is he exactly?
Foles was great in 2013, a Pro Bowl slinger that passed for 27 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
In 2014 an inconsistent and injured Foles fell out of favor with Eagles coach Chip Kelly, who bought the QB a bus ticket to St. Louis in a trade for the surgically repaired knees (and psyche) of quarterback Sam Bradford.
In July I wrote a column saying I had no idea what to expect from Foles. Based on glaringly contrasting and conflicting reports out of Philadelphia, Foles could be the Rams’ solution to a longstanding problem at quarterback. Or he could be just another disappointment.
Some readers ridiculed me for declining to offer the usual “hot take” stand.
Sorry brothers and sisters, but I refuse to score cheap big-mouth, macho-man, poseur points by pretending that I know what Foles will do for the Rans. In this instance, “I don’t know” is not only a reasonable answer; it’s an answer rooted in sanity and reality.
Because NO ONE knows, including you.
Ah, but we do know this: if the Rams can run the football with a consistent show of raw power, Foles will have a chance to be the best QB here since Marc Bulger circa 2006. If the Rams can’t run the rock effectively, Foles has a better chance of becoming Kyle Boller. Foles has skill as a play-action passer, but that won’t kick in unless he has a bloody-good rushing attack to open the passing-game possibilities.
4. Todd Gurley, the running back of Fisher’s dreams.
Fisher came to the STL with a rep for establishing a physical, punishing rushing attack. That perception _ and reputation _ wasn’t the reality. Over the past three seasons the Rams have ranked 19th in rushing yards per game (106.3) and 17th in average yards (4.1) rush. They were 29th in first downs via the rush, struggled to win the short-yardage battles, and only four teams pounded for fewer rushing TDs. There was the occasional breakaway run, but the big-play count was lacking.
Fisher and GM Les Snead coveted Gurley, the scintillating Georgia RB. Though Gurley was still rehabbing from knee surgery and would be highly unlikely to go to the post at the start of the 2015 season, the Rams made him the 10th overall pick in the 2015 draft. For the Fisher offense to have legs, Gurley must emerge as a Tennessee hybrid: a combination of Eddie George and Chris Johnson, who gave Fisher’s Titans an offensive identity.
Gurley was born to run. But when will he enter his race?
5. The Rams defense must match the hype, starting Sunday vs. Seattle.
Under the formidable first-year defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, the 2014 Rams defense opened the season by roaming around in a state of discomfort and confusion, playing so far below expectations that you’d find their statistics buried under the Ed Jones Dome carpet, right there with the careers of Joe Klopfenstein and Tye Hill.
gregg williamsRams DC Gregg Williams
In the first eight games the defense ranked 27th in the league by giving up an average of 27.5 points per game. They were in the bottom half of the league rankings in sacks, opponent passer rating (104.8), TD-INT ratio, opponent average yards per passing attempt, opponent completion percentage (70%) and stopping third downs. Only two NFL teams were plowed for more yards rushing per game over the first half of the schedule, and the frequency of opponent breakout runs was alarming.
Williams coached the fellows up, got everyone on the same page, and made critical adjustments. Over the final eight games the Rams defense ranked fourth in fewest points allowed per game (16.8), second in opponent TD-INT ratio, and were among the league top 10 in sack percentage, opponent passer rating (81.4), third-down stops, rushing-yards allowed (84 per game), yards allowed per rushing attempt (3.59). The improvement was dramatic, emphatic, and overdue.
And with most of the defensive membership back in place in 2015 the expectations are up again _ understandably so. With a young line, a new QB, a new offensive coordinator and Gurley idle on the sidelines, the Rams offense may need time to establish traction. The assignment for this defense: play at peak level, take over games, and dominate. Williams and the players are in synch now; really there are no excuses.
6. To repeat: a slow start will doom the Rams’ playoff hopes.
Earlier in the week we presented the hard numbers that show us what happens to a team’s playoff chances when it staggers out to a 3-5 record over the first eight games on the schedule. You can read that here. The short version: since 2002, only two of 65 NFC teams that completed the first half of the season with a 3-5 record went on to make the playoffs. The 2012 Redskins and the 2013 Eagles. Enough said.
7. One more time, with feeling: enough already with the blockhead penalties.
Historically, Fisher’s teams are chronic offenders that draw too many penalties. It happened again last season; the Rams flagged for the NFL’s highest totals in accepted penalties and penalty yardage. I offered the gory details in an earlier post, but it comes down to this: a Rams offense that until now lacks quick-strike capability and the ample firepower to overcome mistakes cannot destroy possessions with a lack of discipline that attracts the attention of alarmed, flag-tossing zebras. The defense can’t give opponents gratuitous penalties to keep drives going. The Rams’ margin of error is slim; penalties are especially damaging and must be reduced. This is on Fisher to control the mischief and hold players accountable for repeat mental errors.
8. Do something about the small crowds and potential dome-field disadvantage.
Realistically speaking, Rams players can’t fully restore the loyalty and support of a fan base that’s been beaten down by the devastating combination of a .309 winning percentage over the past 10 seasons plus a calculating owner that’s tried to alienate the customers to strengthen his case for moving the team to Los Angeles to expand his personal fortune. But if these guys can win games early, generate excitement and change the subject _ away from Kroenke _ then more fans will be motivated to return to the Dome for old times’ sake.
For all of the justifiable anger and grumbling over The Mustache, no fan ever went to a stadium to root for an owner. Fans cheer for players and attach their loyalty to a community identity _ one represented nationally by the pro-sports teams in our town . I’m not saying that a 4-2 start will fill the big warehouse of football. But a promising start to the season can shift the emphasis _ if ever so briefly _ back to football, and create a positive energy.
9. Frank Cignetti can’t be Brian Schottenheimer v. 2.0.
This is, and always will be, a Jeff Fisher offense. The head coach prefers leather-helmet football, and in a mythical NFL draft he would probably choose Bronko Nagurski or Marion Motley over Marshall Faulk or Terry Metcalf. Fisher and the crew at Rams Park have been dropping hints, suggesting that a Cignetti offense will be different than the usual Schotty offense. I’m skeptical. But Cignetti, the new offensive coordinator, appears to be a bright guy. And there is at least a reason to believe we’ll see more creativity _ even within the confines of the Fisher ground-control philosophy. And yes an offense can be physical without being predictable and boring. That’s the challenge for Cignetti. His first test case: Tavon Austin. We wish the OC well.
10. Ignore the noise — the imaginary sounds of rumbling moving vans.
That’s a prime challenge for the men that wear the classic Rams helmets in 2015.. They have to block out the moving speculation _ and concentrate on blocking the opponents’ front seven. They can’t be worried about Kroenke hauling them to Inglewood; they have to focus on hauling in touchdown passes. They can’t waste time knocking down rumors; they must knock down passes. They can’t stress over what might happen after the season; they have to devote themselves to winning games during the season. It won’t be easy to mute the noise. But it must be done. No distractions.
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