2007 StLouis Rams
The Rams are very confident that they have the team to win the NFC West in 2007. I’m not so confident however. It is true that not very many teams in the NFL go to work every Sunday with a Pro Bowl backfield, but one other team that does ( the Seattle Seahawks) happens to play in the same division, and the defense still has some areas to address.
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The reason for the optimism from Rams camp is a three game win streak to cap off the 2006 season. The Rams have endured losing seasons the past three years and head coach Scott Linehan is still in the learning process. The bottom line is that the Rams were the worst in the NFC against the run last season and that’s just not going to get you in the playoffs.
The Rams’ offense is stacked with talent. Pro Bowlers Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson keep this team in games. No one in the league is perhaps better at spreading the ball around the field to keep defenses guessing than Bulger. Five Rams caught at least 45 passes last season to give you an idea of what we’re talking about here. Linehan has been playing things a lot more safer than Martz ever did offensively, but he’s going to have to give his playmakers a chance to make plays if he wants to challenge in 2007. The fact that this team is not going to be able to grind it out and win games with the defense is one thing we know for sure. It seems opening things up again is the direction this team began heading in when Linehan handed over play calling duties to offensive coordinator Greg Olson. Olson gladly said thanks for letting me do my job by leading the Rams to a 27.5ppg average over the final six weeks. I expect the Rams to play arena ball all season with its opponents.
St. Louis gave up an NFC-most 145.4 yards per game on the ground last season. Teams just knew they could go at the right side of the defense, and they would be successful. The pass rush was nearly non-existent as well. Outside of Leonard Little, no other defensive player brought any heat. Besides Little, the defensive end spot only came up with two sacks in 2006. That falls into the pathetic category. Little starred coming up with 13 sacks and six forced fumbles despite taking on constant double teams. Get him some help and watch him really do some damage. James Hall provides the hope of another threat as a pass rusher.
The Rams didn’t do enough to improve their defense in the offseason. With Seattle and San Francisco’s ability to control games with their running attacks, the Rams’ offense isn’t going to be able to spend enough time on the field to stick with them. It looks like another sub .500 season for St. Louis.
By Jeff Alexander – 7/25/2007
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