Posted July 2nd, 2009 by mvn
Tags: Football, St Louis Rams

NFL Outsider Season Preview 2009: St. Louis Rams

NFL Outsider is hosting a season preview of all 32 teams. The NFL regular season begins on September 10; in the meantime follow the best NFL bloggers as they analyze their teams in this 2009 season preview.

Ryan Van Bibber from Turf Show Times gives insight into what to expect from this year’s St. Louis Rams. Check in on other teams here.

Rams Preview
The Rams made their most important moves of the season early on, replacing the front office that had left the depth chart aging and threadbare. From there the rebuilding project carried through to the coaching staff and onto the roster. Orlando Pace, Torry Holt…the remains of early decade glory were replaced with young, rough-edged building blocks.

On the plus side…
Both QB Marc Bulger and RB Steven Jackson are pleased to see the offensive line get much needed upgrades with the acquisition of free-agent big fish C Jason Brown and drafting Baylor OT Jason Smith with the second overall pick in the draft. They also added FB Mike Karney and TE Billy Bajema to improve the team’s blocking ability. The Rams are hoping the beefed up line will allow Bulger to recapture some his old form. Jackson is the real beneficiary of the improved line; head coach Steve Spagnuolo figures to make him the centerpiece of the offense. On the other side of the ball, Spags brings high expectations for molding the Rams into the aggressive defense he made famous in New York. It’s not quite the same roster yet, but DE Leonard Little has legs left and expectations are high for last year’s second overall pick DE Chris Long. MLB James Laurinaitis, a second rounder this year, gives that unit some skill and pop in the middle and moves Will Witherspoon back to his natural fit on the weakside.

Concerns…
Experience is missing in a young group of WRs. Donnie Avery proved himself last year, but he’s number one now. Behind him are some talented guys, yet to establish themselves. Overall, the team has upped its talent level. However, depth issues remain at key positions, LB and OT for example. If a starter goes down in one of those spots, what level of player steps in to replace them? Nowhere is the more of a concern than with the list of names at RB behind Steven Jackson.

Players to watch…
The team is confident in this group of group of receivers. If Keenan Burton can stay healthy, he can make a name for himself as a top possession guy. Randy McMichael is cemented on top of the depth chart at TE, but in-season pickup Daniel Fells could emerge. Rookie CB Bradley Fletcher and second year CB (who missed all of last year after a training camp injury) Justin King have the tools to succeed in Spagnuolo’s rough and tumble coverage style.

Prediction
For team that hit bottom last year, six wins and fewer blowouts would be a great step forward. If Bulger thrives in Pat Shurmur’s West Coast offense and the young receivers click, this team can compete for the NFC West title.

Written by mvn

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NFL Outsider Season Preview 2009: St. Louis Rams

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