Off-Season For The Rams:

This has been a very eventfull off-season for the Rams. With a new coaching staff the Rams have a clean slate to work with. I can't say much about the new coaching staff for I didn't even know Scott Linehan, who was formerly with the Dolphins. However, with the productive offseason the Rams have had I already like the guy. The biggest problem for the Rams last year was the defensive secondary. While the Rams haven't solved this problem entirely, they have made some key aquisitions. When they added Corey Chavous from the Vikings, I thought their problems at safety were finally over. Sadly with Adam Archuletas departure, their problems became all so real again. If they had resigned him they would have had Chavous at free safety and Archuleta at strong safety. One good thing is that they have let go an injury prone safety in Archuleta. Another up is that as of now they have two potential starters in Jerome Carter, and O.J. Atgowe. Both going into their sophomore season. My guess would be that the Rams will draft a defensive back in the first round of the draft. My hope is Michael Huff from Texas drops low enough for the Rams to pick him up as their first pick. As for cornerback, the Rams aquired Fakhir Brown from the Saints. He hasn't been what you would say a "great" corner, but has been productive enough to nab the second spot for the Saints the last few seasons. The Rams did need to pick up a corner like this, he can serve as a third corner, behind Butler and Fisher. Plus after coming off of a very serious injury to his knee, it is unknown whether Butler will play at the high level he did before the injury. Fisher is also known to get injured. Bartell is definitely going to have the starting spot within the next few years, and as the youngest corner on the team, the Rams might not draft a true corner, but rather a player who could play corner or safety.

Another problem last season was the very dissapointing play at linebacker. When the Rams brought in Coakley and Claiborn I was extremely pleased. But within a few weeks of the regular season, they were both busts. Coakley Broke his leg and ankle which had him out the rest of the season. Claiborn was just plain dissapointing. While Tinoisamoa thrived and was most likley the second most valuable player on the team, second to Holt. The Rams really shocked me when they brought in Witherspoon from the Panthers. This may have been one of the smartest moves in the entire free agency. Will is only 25 years old and is already considered one of the top linebackers in the game. With a new coaching staff Coakley could improve from last season as most say the reason he had trouble was because of the coaching scheme. I for one am once again excited to see what this linebacker core can do next season.

The third problem for the Rams defense was their defensive line. After the Rams drafted three straight first round D-linemen, they thought their problems were solved, however, the only one of the group that played at a first round draft pick level was Pickett, who was recently signed by Green Bay. The Rams brought in veteran lineman Glover from the Cowboys. This was a great pick up. Not only does it bring in a Pro-Bowl caliber player, it also brings in some great veteran leadership for a defense that has lacked a true leader for a very long time.

The Rams have not signed one offensive player that will contend for a starting position. The only part of the offense that needs some tuning is the line in my opinion. Many have said that they need to pick up a Tight end. I just think that Manumaleuna Wasn't used enough to be seen as a solid starter. When he was used though, he has made some very big and important plays for the Rams. Plus the Rams generally don't use the tightend in their passing scheme, and at '6"3 288 Ibs, he should be more than capable of being a good blocking tight-end. He just doesn't have the good form for it, which directly reflects on the coaching staff. If you get a good coach with him to work on blocking, he would be more than a solid starter.

The Rams also signed backup QB Gus Ferotte from Miami, and backup running back Travis Fisher. Both should serve well in backup roles. It is yet to see whether recievers Curtis, and McDonald will be resigned. Curtis will more than likely be resigned, and it would be a smart move to resign McDonald. The Rams also need to either resign some or go to free agency for some linemen. Mostly interior linemen are needed as Pace is always great and Barron looks like he will be a solid starter. This problem will most likely go unsolved as it has for the past few years. They will probably use some of their veteran players like Timmerman and McColumn. However, it is almost certain that guard Nutten is going to go into retirement so one guard spot will have to be filled by either Incognito, Terrell, or Saipaia. In my opinion none of these players are ready for a regular starting job. The Rams might turn to the draft to fill this need.

Overall, the Rams have had a pretty good off-season thus far. After the draft we will know how good our Rams can be. Lets hope for the best!