Still positives despite Rams catastrophic year
Jason Stacey
Issue date: 12/3/09 Section: Opinion
For the St. Louis Rams, a disastrous season, inept passing game and tie for the NFL's worst record at 1-10 has left their fans questioning the direction and dedication of this lowly franchise.
With sale rumors swirling, attendance dwindling and the losses piling up, where should fans turn for solace during yet another season of misery and hopelessness?
Perhaps focusing on the few bright spots of the 2009 campaign could help beginning with the team's only consistent source of offensive production: halfback Steven Jackson, who has once again proven that when healthy, he is one of the most powerful runners and best all around backs in the NFL today.
Jackson's ability to punish would-be tacklers and receive out of the backfield has him on pace to surpass 2,000 yards from scrimmage for the second time in his career, but unfortunately, this battering ram's statistics only go so far.
For St. Louis to win and achieve at a respectable level in this league, they must receive improved play from the quarterback position and to do so must move in a direction opposite of the anemic and inexpiably inaccurate Marc Bulger.
An improvement, unfortunately, may not come from next year's highly unproven quarterback draft class, albeit the Rams are currently guaranteed to have a top three overall selection.
A selection, which must be carefully reviewed and decided upon by the front office, currently features Washington quarterback Jake Locker, Oklahoma State wide-out Dez Bryant, Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and the potential gamble of drafting injured Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford.
Bringing in a low risk, high reward playmaker with game breaking potential is exactly what the Rams need and Oklahoma State's Bryant seems to fit this profile precisely.
Bryant's size and ability to catch everything thrown in his direction, while still possessing good speed on the edge, solidifies him as St. Louis' first round pick and allows the team to select from a deep quarterback pool in later rounds.
Potentially lost in the shuffle of a 1-10 season and the anticipation of upcoming draft selections is the Rams defense this season, first year Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo has instilled a defensive-driven game plan in St. Louis and the changes are apparent.
The most significant improvements have been seen in the middle of a defense centered on standout rookie middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, whose play should warrant him strong consideration in Defensive Rookie of the Year talks at the end of the season.
Laurinaitis leads the team in tackles and commands the field like a 10-year pro, but could be mired on a team with no real opportunity of winning until more talent is brought in on both sides of the ball.
Only strong drafting, clever free agent signing and strong player development can rescue this distraught "Lambs" franchise and retain their waning fans.
With sale rumors swirling, attendance dwindling and the losses piling up, where should fans turn for solace during yet another season of misery and hopelessness?
Perhaps focusing on the few bright spots of the 2009 campaign could help beginning with the team's only consistent source of offensive production: halfback Steven Jackson, who has once again proven that when healthy, he is one of the most powerful runners and best all around backs in the NFL today.
Jackson's ability to punish would-be tacklers and receive out of the backfield has him on pace to surpass 2,000 yards from scrimmage for the second time in his career, but unfortunately, this battering ram's statistics only go so far.
For St. Louis to win and achieve at a respectable level in this league, they must receive improved play from the quarterback position and to do so must move in a direction opposite of the anemic and inexpiably inaccurate Marc Bulger.
An improvement, unfortunately, may not come from next year's highly unproven quarterback draft class, albeit the Rams are currently guaranteed to have a top three overall selection.
A selection, which must be carefully reviewed and decided upon by the front office, currently features Washington quarterback Jake Locker, Oklahoma State wide-out Dez Bryant, Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and the potential gamble of drafting injured Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford.
Bringing in a low risk, high reward playmaker with game breaking potential is exactly what the Rams need and Oklahoma State's Bryant seems to fit this profile precisely.
Bryant's size and ability to catch everything thrown in his direction, while still possessing good speed on the edge, solidifies him as St. Louis' first round pick and allows the team to select from a deep quarterback pool in later rounds.
Potentially lost in the shuffle of a 1-10 season and the anticipation of upcoming draft selections is the Rams defense this season, first year Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo has instilled a defensive-driven game plan in St. Louis and the changes are apparent.
The most significant improvements have been seen in the middle of a defense centered on standout rookie middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, whose play should warrant him strong consideration in Defensive Rookie of the Year talks at the end of the season.
Laurinaitis leads the team in tackles and commands the field like a 10-year pro, but could be mired on a team with no real opportunity of winning until more talent is brought in on both sides of the ball.
Only strong drafting, clever free agent signing and strong player development can rescue this distraught "Lambs" franchise and retain their waning fans.
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