Good thread.

Will this be a complete team that can make big plays? Will their youth be more of a detriment to themselves or to the opposing teams trying to keep up with these fresh legs? Will the offensive line settle in and become an elite group, or continue to flail with injuries and player movement between positions?

I expect more consistent effort through the entire season. They have their identity now. The Rams shouldn’t falter in the first quarter of the season like last year. Take away those first four games, and they were 6-6. I could live with .500 last year. This year, they have to be better.

3. Les Snead

Snead has built a team ready to break through

He’s built what is arguably the best defense in the NFL, even if most people haven’t had a chance to watch them play, and it’s been done with young talent brought to St. Louis via the draft. That’s because Snead is a) great at stockpiling picks (thanks in part to the Redskins) and b) amazing at evaluating talent (he doesn’t miss with his top choices). Now, he just needs to find a quarterback who can guide the Rams to the playoffs.

The statement I bolded … I don’t quite know the words to express how much that type of statement annoys me. Great analysis. “Now, just get a QB to lead you to the playoffs, because that’s the only problem you had last year.” If he said, keep Bradford healthy and upright, sure, I can dig that. Or, if he had an actual QB in mind who could do better than Bradford and was available this offseason, OK, we can argue that. But, this statement is so empty, I shouldn’t even have given it any thought.

Pick one: Brockers, Ogletree, McDonald or JJ. Any or all could do it.

Heck, Aaron Donald may burst on the scene and make a significant impact as a rookie, although I never count on that from rookie DTs.

To me, it’s about putting several things together. If the offense can control the ball more this year, and with a healthy Bradford and improved, healthy O-line, I have no doubt that they will, then the defense will have even more chances to bury opposing quarterbacks. The defense and offense have a chance to feed off each other, as well as feed off the best special teams in the league. With better field position, better ball control and more big plays from both the offense and defense, I can see this team really taking off this year. There will be bumps in the road, as this team is still young, but I expect those to be small bumps that the Rams can overcome. They will win some tough games this year. I expect 10-plus wins.

I predict that this team will be on a mission this year, to show that they can indeed win against a very tough schedule. They will win at least half of their division tilts. They will pummel a few of the tougher non-divisional foes. And, they will make the postseason. That’s right. Remember this post, in which I predict the Rams make the playoffs in 2014, starting a new era of winning football in St. Louis.

Unless it doesn’t happen. Then forget this post.

zn wrote:

zn wrote

ramBRO

– According to Sando, 20 of the 26 evaluators ranked Bradford in Tier 3. 3 put him in Tier 4, and one in Tier 5. Though not specifically noted, I’ll assume that 2 evaluators rated Sam in Tier 2 or higher.

– Sounds like the Tier 5 ranking may have come from another QB. According to Sando, the QB ripped into Bradford pretty good. But Sando also mentioned that this QB mentioned Sam’s rookie contract, so I’m wondering if there’s any “haterism” coloring his judgement.

– The head coach who prefers Sam to Russell Wilson says that Wilson’s height (or lack thereof) results in him missing plays from the pocket. Sure, he gets out of the pocket to make plays, but he thinks defenses will adjust to keep him inside to force him to make those throws there. Sam? The coach feels he’s at home in the pocket and will make those throws that Wilson can’t.

– Sando says that, despite the mobile QB’s out there, the personnel people he talked to place a lot of weight on QB’s who can make plays from the pocket.

Interesting listen if you get the chance.

He says the evaluators seem to be hedging their bets, they want to see him do it and so far he hasn’t. He just has the stay on the field.

That’s where I’m at. I see a lot of promise, but need to see him do it on a consistent basis on a good team. This year could be a breakout season if things fall right.

I tried to add a link, but don’t see it. Let me try again.

HERE’S THE LINK.

zn wrote:

You’re on, Dak. Welcome aboard. There’s sandwiches in the den, and whiskey in the bordello.

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So, this is home. I found some Clif bars in the pantry. Don’t know who’s in charge of it, but next time they’re at the store, I really like the blueberry crisp flavor.