Nick Wagoner: three biggest issues facing the Rams heading into training camp

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/tag/_/name/2014-nfl-training-camp-preview
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Camp preview: St. Louis Rams
By Nick Wagoner
NFL Nation’s Nick Wagoner examines the three biggest issues facing the St. Louis Rams heading into training camp.

Sam Bradford’s status: It’s a familiar refrain that will be repeated ad nauseam for much of the offseason and camp, but it’s the most basic and simple truth about the Rams in 2014 and the future: They’ll go as far as quarterback Sam Bradford can take them. On the bright side, Bradford appears to be on schedule for a return to health from his season-ending knee injury, and the Rams expect him to be close to or at full speed for the start of camp.

That means Bradford will get a third season in coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s offense and the opportunity to get the Rams into the mix in the NFC West division. It’s safe to assume the Rams won’t ask Bradford to carry the freight for what will likely be a run-heavy offense, but they also will need more from Bradford than what was required of backup Kellen Clemens. The Rams have clearly abandoned the spread approach they were installing this time last year, but they will almost certainly be more balanced than they were after Bradford’s injury in 2013.

The Gregg Williams effect: Much was expected of the Rams’ defense in 2013 after it performed well enough to keep the team in games, especially divisional games, in 2012. But the group not only didn’t take a step forward but regressed slightly under coordinator Tim Walton. So when the Rams had the opportunity to land Gregg Williams this offseason, they took it.

Now, the expectations are even higher after bringing Williams aboard and spending a first-round pick on defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Williams is expected to bring an array of exotic blitz packages and an aggressive approach to a defense that should be able to create consistent pressure. How that manifests itself in this training camp will go a long way toward determining the team’s 2014 success.

Stability on the offensive line: The Rams made some major moves along the offensive line in the offseason in an effort to compete with the big, physical defensive lines around the NFC West. They used the No. 2 pick on Auburn’s Greg Robinson and signed guard Rodger Saffold to a lucrative contract extension. On paper, an offensive line of (from left to right) Jake Long, Robinson, Scott Wells, Saffold and Joe Barksdale could be one of the better units in the league with a good mix of experience and potential.

But for the second straight year, that group faces the pressing question of whether it can retain some semblance of stability in the face of injury. The presumptive 2013 starting five played just 295 of the offense’s 968 snaps, checking in just above 30 percent. Only three lines around the league spent less time together. Wells and Long are recovering from season-ending injuries, and although the Rams expect both players to be ready for the start of the season, it’s fair to wonder how many games and what type of production they’ll get. Saffold also has a lengthy injury history even though he has yet to suffer any serious ailments since moving to guard.

There are some intriguing young players behind the starting five, including Barrett Jones, Tim Barnes and Brandon Washington, but if the Rams are to be the powerful, run-heavy offense they aspire to be, they’ll need the starting five in place as often as possible.