How does a club that struggled so mightily on defense improve itself for the 2007 season?
Well, if you are the St. Louis Rams, you add several pieces to your offense.
The Rams ranked next-to-last against the run last year while allowing the fifth-most points in the league. However, rather than add some ball stoppers to the club, second-year head coach Scott Linehan and the St. Louis front office decided they were just going to outscore everybody in the league.
That shouldn't be too hard with the likes of regulars Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, but just to be sure, the Rams brought in Drew Bennett, Dante Hall and Randy McMichael.
Add that to a solid offensive line and you get the greatest show on earth since Corey Haim and Corey Feldman took over television.
Of course, the Rams have some lost boys of their own on the defensive side of the ball. They did trade for defensive end James Hall and take defensive tackle Adam Carriker in the first round of the 2007 draft to strengthen the defense, but those acquisitions are hardly enough.
St. Louis is going to have to light up the scoreboard if they want to win the NFC West, and that won't be tough with Jackson in the backfield. The running back took over in St. Louis last year and the torch was symbolically passed this offseason when long-time Ram leader Marshall Faulk finally retired. Faulk's career was derailed by knee problems, and he was out the entire 2006 season due to surgery.
The Rams are sure to be fun to watch this year. However, it won't be because they are a pair of train-wrecked former actors trying to make a comeback.
No, it will be because the club is set to rip through other team's defenses like a well-tuned train of offense, a thunderous locomotive that may be stopping at the top of the NFC West.
Below we take a capsule look at the 2007 edition of the St. Louis Rams, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:
2006 RECORD: 8-8 (2nd, NFC West)
LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2004, lost to Atlanta, 47-17, in NFC Divisional Playoff
COACH (RECORD): Scott Linehan (8-8 in one season with Rams, 8-8 overall)
DEFENSIVE STAR: Leonard Little, DE (58 tackles, 13 sacks)
OFFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 17th rushing, 4th passing, 10th scoring
DEFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 31st rushing, 8th passing, 28th scoring
FIVE KEY GAMES: San Francisco (9/16), at Dallas (9/30), Seattle (11/25), Atlanta (12/2), at Arizona (12/30)
KEY ADDITIONS: RB Brian Leonard (2nd Round, Rutgers), RB Travis Minor (from Dolphins), WR Drew Bennett (from Titans), WR Dante Hall (from Chiefs), TE Randy McMichael (from Dolphins), DE James Hall (from Lions), DT Adam Carriker (1st Round, Nebraska), LB Chris Draft (from Panthers), CB Lenny Walls (from Chiefs), S Todd Johnson (from Bears), P Donnie Jones (from Dolphins)
KEY DEPARTURES: FB Paul Smith (to Broncos), WR Kevin Curtis (to Eagles), WR Shaun McDonald (to Lions), G Adam Timmerman (free agent), DE Brandon Green (to Seahawks), DT Jimmy Kennedy (to Broncos), LB Dexter Coakley (free agent), CB Travis Fisher (to Lions), P Matt Turk (to Texans) QB Ryan Fitzpatrik(to Bengals)
QB: Bulger returns under center for the Rams much happier after signing a six- year contract extension reportedly worth just more than $10 million per season that includes $26 million in guaranteed money. Bulger (4,301 passing yards, 24 TD, 8 INT) was outstanding last year, as his interceptions were way down while he completed 62.9 percent of his passes. His numbers were good for a 92.9 quarterback rating, one of the best in the NFC. Gus Frerotte will serve as Bulger's backup for the second straight season. He got into just one game with the Rams last year, completing a single pass for 27 yards.
RB: Outside of a certain talented back in San Diego, who was better than Jackson last year? The answer is nobody. Jackson was third in the NFC in rushing yardage while his rushing TD total was second in the conference. However, he also emerged as a receiving threat out of the backfield, hauling in 90 passes for an additional 806 yards and three touchdowns. Jackson showed an ability last year to turn a short play into a huge gain. Second-round draft pick Brian Leonard should slide into the backup role behind Jackson after being a fullback at Rutgers, meaning he could stay on the field and block from time to time. Travis Minor (74 rushing yards), signed as a free agent, will serve as the third back.
WR/TE: Little has changed at the top two receiving spots for the Rams, and that certainly is a good thing. Holt (93 receptions, 10 TD) went over 1,000 yards receiving for the seventh straight year in 2006, though his 1,188 yards last year was his lowest total in that span. Bruce (74 receptions, 3 TD) is still solid, but turns 35 this year and the Rams will need to start grooming a replacement. In the short term that will be free agent signee Bennett, who replaces the departed Kevin Curtis as the third receiver. Bennett (46 receptions, 3 TD with the Titans) is 29 and had 737 receiving yards in 2006. Hall (26 receptions, 2 TD with Kansas City) was acquired via trade from the Chiefs for special teams, but will also get time as the fourth receiver. The Rams brought in McMichael to improve their play in the red zone, and the 6- foot-3 tight end is happy to oblige after suffering through a drama-filled season in Miami last year. He made 62 catches for 640 yards, but found the end zone just three times. Joe Klopfenstein (20 receptions, 1 TD) will back up McMichael and hit the field in two tight end sets.
OL: The line did an excellent job of opening up room for Jackson last year, and that was with star tackle Orlando Pace out late in the season. Only a torn left triceps prevented Pace from making his eighth straight Pro Bowl, as a Week 10 injury prematurely ended his campaign. Alex Barron, meanwhile, had no problems staying healthy, playing in all 16 games, and will start again this year at right tackle. Richie Incognito also started 16 games last year, but at three different positions. He will play right guard to begin the season, while Mark Setterstrom will play left guard. Setterstrom came on strong after being inactive for the first nine games of his rookie campaign in 2006. Veteran Andy McCollum looks to have overtaken Brett Romberg for the starting center spot. Todd Steussie is the main backup at tackle, while Adam Goldberg, Claude Terrell and Drew Strojny round out the bench.
DL: After last year's performance, it comes as no surprise that the defensive line will feature two new faces. End James Hall (24 tackles, 5 sacks with the Lions) was acquired by trade to help take pressure off of left defensive end Leonard Little. Little (58 tackles, 13 sacks) was a disruptive force last season, forcing seven fumbles while tying for second in the conference in sacks. The trading of underachieving tackle Jimmy Kennedy to Denver opens up a spot for Carriker. He will play alongside 11-year veteran La'Roi Glover (38 tackles, 5.5 sacks), an excellent tutor. Glover will help Carriker transition from the end spot that he played in Nebraska. End Victor Adeyanju is a good run-stopper off the bench, while tackle Claude Wroten will try to contribute in his second year.
LB: Weakside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (36 tackles, 2 sacks) darts to the ball, but was ####ed up in 2007, while Will Witherspoon (113 tackles, 3 sacks) is a spark at the middle spot. Both are considered undersized, a reason the Rams struggled against the run a year ago. Brandon Chillar (56 tackles, 2 sacks) is adequate at the strong side LB, though the club signed former Panther Chris Draft (107 tackles, 5.5 sacks), who will bring versatility to the group while pushing Chillar for time. Tim McGarigle backs up Witherspoon, while Raonall Smith and Jon Alston can also play the outside.
DB: St. Louis' secondary leaves something to be desired. Cornerback Tye Hill (50 tackles, 3 INT) has speed and skill, but is limited by his 5-foot-10 frame. Fakhir Brown (66 tackles, 3 INT) isn't much bigger and will miss the club's first four games for violating the NFL Substance Abuse Policy. That will give backup corner Ron Bartell a chance to shine. Bartell (25 tackles, 3 INT) excelled in the nickel package last year. Lenny Walls was signed to serve as the other backup. Corey Chavous (86 tackles, 1 INT) brings a veteran presence to the secondary and he will play alongside free safety O.J. Atogwe (72 tackles, 3 INT), who is entering his third season in the NFL. Todd Johnson and Jerome Carter round out the bench.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Hall (22.8 kickoff return avg. 8.9 punt return avg.) was brought in to help the Rams in the field position battle. He will turn 29 this season and took only one punt back for a score last year, but is still a big threat to break one. Marques Hagans will help out returning kicks. The reliable Jeff Wilkins (32-37 FG) returns as the team's kicker, while punter Donnie Jones (42.8 avg.) replaces Matt Turk.
PROGNOSIS: No one will question the Rams on offense this year. The club should put up a lot of points and win over the hearts of fantasy football enthusiasts everywhere. Luckily for the Rams, there is no clear-cut favorite in the division and anything can happen in today's NFL. Bulger and Jackson will be at the forefront of a very scary offense. The Rams will win there division and go deep into the playoffs.
Let's see, I predicted 8-8 maybe 9-7 boy was I wrong. After this weeks disgrace in Tampa, I am thinking more on the lines of 4-12, maybe. Oh well there's always Blue's Hockey to look forward to.
