I couldn’t resist. C’mon… he does look like Santa. Alright, onto the pre-game write-up…Seattle would like to hold onto their lead in the NFC West as they have a one-game lead over the Arizona Cardinals in a division that was wide open heading into the season. Right now, the Rams, who started 0-8, have won two in a row and are playing better football.
The Seahawks are going against conventional wisdom and historical practices in an attempt to win any way possible. Seattle has gone to a runningback by committee, put QB Matt Hasselbeck in the shotgun and have passed first to set up the run.
The Rams are slowly getting some of their injured players back on the field and are refusing to go down without a fight. The running game with Steven Jackson and the passing with QB Marc Bulger are finally looking like everyone thought they would at the beginning of the season. Defensive coach Jim Haslett has his unit playing extremely tight football
As is the case everytime the Rams and Seahawks play, this game will be a difficult task for both involved. The team that does the better job of minimizing mistakes and protects the ball better, will win this game. Both teams are evenly matched on offense and their defenses are strikingly similar.
Rams Keys For Success
1. Run the ball with Steven Jackson. Having Jackson healthy and running the ball changes the Rams’ offense. He is running like a back who’s making up for the missed time while injured. Teams will have to show that they can stop Jackson, or their defense will be on the field all day and the Rams will control the clock. A successful running game also will set up the play-action pass and give QB Marc Bulger more time to throw.
Jackson will pound the middle of the Seahawks’ defense and keep the linebackers and a safety up in the box to give Bulger bigger holes in the passing lanes. The sooner Jackson gets going, the more stress he puts on a defense. The Rams will use Jackson on his straight ahead runs, swing passes and screens, so he can build momentum and allow the offense to dictate the game to the Seahawks.
2. Pressure QB Matt Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck has been asked to carry the Seahawks’ offense until Shaun Alexander can come back and contribute. He will be asked to read the defense and make any necessary adjustments at the line of scrimmage. The Seahawks know that they must pass first and run second. The passing game will consist of short passes to the receivers and backs — around 40-45 times a game.
The Rams will bring pressure and force Hasselbeck to move around and avoid the rush. The Rams have a fast defense, and they bring blitz packages on running and passing plays. The Seahawks have to be successful with quick pass patterns and hot reads for Hasselbeck on every play.
3. Use Multiple Receiver Sets. The Seahawks know that the Rams will run Jackson. The Rams need to come out in their four-receiver set and force the Seahawks to play extra cover corners. Their four-receiver set with one running back allows them to run or pass and keeps some of the better run stoppers off the field. This will give Bulger better matchups at the line of scrimmage.
PREDICTION: The Seahawks offense gift-wraps a victory as the Rams defense takes advantage of 1 tipped ball for an interception to give the Rams great field position and the go ahead score late in the game.
The Rams started a dismal 0-8, their worst season-opening losing streak ever. However, consecutive wins against the Saints and 49ers jump-started the team, which, to the shock of the football world, rattles off 8 straight victories to finish 8-8 and win the awful NFC West as the Seahawks falter down the stretch. The suddenly unstoppable offense plows its way through the early playoff rounds, winning games with the greatest of ease. They head into Super Bowl XLII in Arizona as 14-point underdogs to the New England Cheatriots, but proceed to dismantle the Pats 44-7, a perfect clobbering which culminates in a poignant scene in which Tom Brady and Bill Belichick break down and beg a fiery-eyed Steven Jackson for mercy, who merely grins as he hands the football to a terrified Patriot linebacker, picks him up, carries him into the end zone, then takes the ball back for Jackson’s fourth touchdown of the game.
That may be a little far-fetched, but hey, the day after Thanksgiving officially marks the beginning of Christmas season, and making dreams come true is what Christmas is all about, right?
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I will be back tomorrow with a preview of the Rams-Seahawks matchup on Sunday.
It’s been a long season. But the Rams have won two straight, so what the heck, let’s have some fun.
Say the Rams knock off the NFC West-leading Seahawks (6-4) Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams would move to 3-8 and stand three games out of first place with five to go. Up next would be two very winnable contests — the Falcons (3-7) at the Dome and the Bengals (3-7) in Cincinnati.
OK, now the Rams are 5-8. The division champ might wind up 8-8. Could the Rams actually run the table and steal the title? Hell Yes !!!!!!!!!
They are going to do it! The Rams will go 8-8 and MAKE the playoffs! BAM!! How do you like that for a bold prediction. Bulger is Back! Jackson is Back! The receivers are healthy, enough. The division is weak. Heck, the conference is weak. Through 11 weeks (10 games), not many teams have separated themselves from the rest of the NFC. Sure, it appears Green Bay and Dallas are off on their own, but then there is Tampa and Seattle at 6-4 leading their divisions. the current wildcard spots go to New York and Detroit. After them, no team in the NFC is over .500. If the Rams role off a few wins…. maybe they have a chance.
If the defense and O-line step it up, good things will happen. That is asking a lot. I still believe in all honest 7 wins is reasonable; Seattle, Arizona, Atlanta and one more somewhere. Unfortunately, that doesn’t help anything but morals. Winning 6 or 7 games only hurts their draft position next year. We need a good draft pick.
The win this past weekend against the division rival 49ers, marked the franchise’s 500th win. A nice feet, but doesn’t mean much for this season.
Here is a look at the injury report of the Rams, this may explain some of the losses IR: Jerome Carter, depth at safety and special teams Adam Goldberg, offensive line Richie Incognito, offensive line Leonard Little, arguably the best player on the defense Orlando Pace, arguably the best player on the team Mark Setterstrom, offensive line Raonall Smith, depth at LB and special teams Aaron Walker, emerging TE That is just IR, Bulger has missed games. Jackson has missed games. Bruce, Hall, Bennett have been hurt while Holt hasn’t been 100% since his surgury. Many more injuries that just kill everything they had going for them. Many people picked them to go to the Super Bowl before the season.
The Rams get to face a Shaun Alexanderless Seattle Seahawks this week. Hasselbeck may not play also. That just means the Rams would have to contain the everathletic Seneca Wallace. They can get the job done. Don’t be deceived by the 2-8 record, they are playing decent football now.
Head Coach Scott Linehan reacts to a play against the New Orleans Saints. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
When the Rams knock off the 49ers on Sunday in San Francisco, they will have posted back-to-back victories. “That’s a winning streak,” coach Scott Linehan declared Friday.
After a slight pause, he added, “When you don’t have any, one in a row is a winning streak.”
After slogging through his team’s 0-8 start, Linehan can be excused for expanding the definition a bit. Just as his players can be pardoned for lingering in the aftermath of the 37-29 triumph at New Orleans.
“You try to stay the same, no matter if you win or lose,” tackle Alex Barron said. “But that’s hard to do after you’ve gone 0-and-whatever and then you win a game. It’s going to give you a little kick.”
The result was a more upbeat mood this week at Rams Park. “Just winning in itself changes the entire atmosphere,” Isaac Bruce said.
Added fellow wide receiver Torry Holt: “Winning always inspires you, gives you a little more bounce. You’re just a little bit more chipper, a little bit more excited about coming to work.” Still, Linehan emphasized that no one is organizing a celebratory parade just yet.
“The perspective is there; we understand where we are and how we got here,” he said. “If we can find a way to flip the result of the second half (of the season) from the first half, it’s going to continue to improve the atmosphere around here.”
Although the 49ers have the lesser of the two horrendous records, it's becoming evident that the two are headed in different directions this year.
Surprisingly, it's the 49ers who are dead last in the NFL in total offense. The Rams were competing for that dubious distinction before they reeled off 37 points against the Saints last week. The Rams started the season 0-8, but the 49ers are hot on their heels having lost their last 7 in a row. Both the 49ers' running and passing games are unproductive and they are struggling to sustain any drives. On defense, they are struggling to stop the run and are allowing other teams to convert too easily on third down.
The Rams have caught alot of bad breaks and were incredibly bad on the road up until last week, but now look renewed with a healthy Steven Jackson playing the role of workhorse, Marc Bulger finding his rhythm, and the defense playing hard snap to whistle.
The 49ers now have a distraction to go along with their poor play as of late as quarterback Alex Smith admitted Wednesday that his shoulder, and now forearm, have been "killing him" and have greatly affected his play. Coach Mike Nolan took exception to Smith airing this to the media before admitting it to him. Look for Trent Dilfer to start this week against the Rams in his place, and possibly the rest of the season.
KEYS TO SUCCESS
Get Jackson involved early Jackson isn't quite 100 percent recovered from his groin injury, but he's still capable of setting the tone for the Rams' entire offense. All of their production on the ground and in the passing game is directly related to Jackson's presence. The Rams won their first game last week because Jackson delivered with consistently strong running to move the chains, and even contributed a TD pass. The fact that Marc Bulger could rack up big yardage without being sacked stemmed from Jackson running hard and wearing down the Saints' defense, and the 49ers' defense is similarly undersized. The quicker that Jackson gets going as a rusher and as a receiver, the sooner everything else opens up. The Rams also need to remember to give Jackson a breather, and can do so effectively with Brian Leonard and Antonio Pittman. Pittman showed his big-play potential last week against New Orleans when he broke off a 43 yarder late in the game.
Disguise the defensive sets The 49ers' offensive line is playing poorly. With the injury losses of left tackle Jonas Jennings and right guard Justin Smiley, there has been much confusion in the blocking assignments. The 49ers have used two tight ends to help with pass protection, but that is not working, and both the passing and running games have suffered as a result. Rams defensive coordinator Jim Haslett has been changing schemes every week and will have the 49ers guessing on assignments, leading to plays breaking down. Last week against the Saints, Haslett said he recalled calling blitzes on 16 of the first 18 plays. One wrinkle he put in was using linebacker Will Witherspoon as the "buck" end in passing situations with end Leonard Little out for the season. Witherspoon responded with one sack and one forced fumble.
Spread the wealth The Rams looked to have their swagger back on offense against New Orleans, who was no slouch of an opponent. Having receivers as talented as Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Drew Bennett, Randy McMichael and Steven Jackson puts great pressure on any defense they face. Now that Bennett and McMichael are starting to see more action on the field, teams are going to have to account for their whereabouts more stringently. The 49ers like to bring strong safety Michael Lewis up into the box to stop the run and blitz on passing downs. He is a hard-hitting upfield defender, but he does not recover well in pass coverage. The Rams will start with quick slants to Holt and establish a rhythm, which also will keep the pressure off Bulger. Look also for the four-receiver set and Jackson going up the middle to the area that Lewis has vacated.
WHEN THE RAMS HAVE THE BALL
RUNNING GAME The healthier running back Steven Jackson gets the healthier the Rams' running game gets. To showcase him, the Rams will use tight end Randy McMichael to block an outside linebacker, and tight end Joe Klopfenstein will come in motion and get in between the guard and tackle and engage an inside linebacker. The Rams also will go to a four-receiver set and run Jackson up the middle. Backs Brian Leonard, Antonio Pittman and Travis Minor will serve as a change of pace and will be used to make sure Jackson doesn't wear down.
The 49ers will play in their base 3-4 defense and try and occupy the Rams' linemen, giving linebackers Patrick Willis and Jeff Ulbrich an opportunity to stop the run. Willis, though, is playing with a cast on his hand, and it has affected his tackling. It is difficult for him to wrap up on the tackle and trying to stop a blood-stained hurricane like Steven Jackson only makes his job that much harder. Strong safety Michael Lewis will come up and add an eighth man in the box to try and get Jackson down before he gets deep into the secondary. The Rams will likely swing Jackson into the flat to get him the ball in space when things get too clogged in the middle.
PASSING GAME Once the Rams get their running game going and the 49ers put defenders in the box, the Rams will be ready to open up the offense. The Rams' passing game is all about rhythm and timing with the receivers. The 49ers cornerbacks must try to bump the receivers at the line if they want to disrupt that timing.
Cornerbacks Walt Harris and Nate Clements are big enough and fast enough to cover the Rams' receivers one-on-one, but they cannot let Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce (who could be limited by a strained hamstring) off the line cleanly. The corners will not get any other help, since the Rams will likely go to their four-receiver set with Drew Bennett and McMichael. In this formation, the Rams will usually hit Holt on a 15-yard dig route over the middle. Another favorite is to drive the cornerback deep to the corner and hit McMichael in the gap between the corner and the dropping linebacker.
QB Marc Bulger has been reading the defense very well recently, Holt has a reception 127 consecutive games and the Rams are happy to take short passes to get first downs. Even if you know what they are planning, they have a way of getting the ball in there and moving the chains. And Jackson is a dangerous weapon in the passing game as well when you get him out in space and hit him with a screen or flair pass.
THE BLITZ The Rams have been hurt and are playing with their 13th different offensive line combination this season. But line play was surprisingly good last week. It is still porous, especially at left tackle with Alex Barron very susceptible to a gap blitz. But Bulger is reading the blitz very well and has been able to release the ball before the pressure gets him. The Rams will use two tight ends and two back sets to hold the linebackers on play action.
The 49ers are just not that effective on the blitz, and Bulger has been seeing this all season long. If the 49ers do not play aggressive on defense, Bulger could have an extremely productive day.
IN THE RED ZONE Until last week, the Rams were among the worst teams in the red zone -- mainly because they were only there 22 times. Last week, the offensive production finally changed. Jackson even threw a touchdown pass of his own. This week the Rams will run Jackson in the red zone to take advantage of a smaller 49ers defensive front 7.
The 49ers will bring everyone up and attack the line of scrimmage to try to stop Jackson. If he is stopped the Rams will spread the offense and go to their favorite target -- Holt -- or use their two new targets -- Bennett and McMichael
KEY MATCHUPS
Rams RB Steven Jackson vs. 49ers ILB Patrick Willis While still not entirely 100% after coming back from his groin injury, Jackson is still getting stronger every game. He will want to make up for lost time and will control this game with his running, receiving and who knows, maybe even his passing. The running game will get extra blocking from tight end Joe Klopfenstein, who is improving in that area. Klop will go in motion and lead up into the hole for Jackson as was the case against New Orleans. Jackson's power and speed to the outside will wear down the 49ers' defense and allow Jackson to dominate a tired unit later in the game if he holds up that long. The rookie Willis is the 49ers' leading tackler, but he is starting to run out of gas. He also is playing with a broken hand, which doesn't let him wrap up on his tackles or handle the ball well in pass coverage. Willis looks like he is getting frustrated and trying to do too much for his struggling team.
Conversely....
Rams MLB Will Witherspoon vs. 49ers RB Frank Gore The 49ers will need to rely on Gore to carry their offense, and he will be responsible for the running game and giving Alex Smith (or Trent Dilfer) a chance in the passing game with good play-action potential. Gore was the man in the teams' Week 2 meeting, getting 20 carries and scoring twice as the 49ers held on to win, 17-16. Gore's tough inside running and ability to break tackles will hopefully give the 49ers a chance to get a balanced attack going this week. The Rams will play their attacking defense and will have to meet Gore in the hole and stop him before he gets into the secondary. Witherspoon is fast enough to match up with Gore, but Gore is substantially bigger and stronger than Reggie Bush is, so this will be a much bigger test.
Rams WR Torry Holt vs. 49ers CB Nate Clements Clements was signed away from Buffalo to be a shutdown corner, and he will challenge Holt in the passing game. Clements is good at taking away deep routes, but he will need to be prepared for plenty of quick-slant timing patterns to Holt.
Clements will not get any help against the crafty Holt because the 49ers will likely commit eight defenders to play against the run. Despite all the talk about his age, Holt has found a way to get open against the league's best corners, and he will do it again this week in spite of that "talk".
INJURY REPORT
49ers 11/7/07 - Alex Smith - QB - Shoulder - Not likely to play 11/15/07 - Aubrayo Franklin - DT - Calf - Out 4 weeks 9/20/07 - Manny Lawson - LB - Torn ACL - Out for season
Rams 11/7/07 - Richie Incognito - G - Knee IR 11/15/07 - Isaac Bruce - WR - Hamstring - Should play Week 11 11/13/07 - Aaron Walker - TE - Shoulder - IR 11/12/07 - Dante Hall - WR - Ankle - Did not play Week 10 11/12/07 - Brett Romberg - C - Ankle - Status uncertain 11/5/07 - Leonard Little - DE - Toe - Out for season 11/8/07 - Steven Jackson - RB - Groin - Should play 9/12/07 - Orlando Pace - T - Shoulder - Out for season
Was there anything more exciting during the 1999 season than watching the Rams' grocery-clerk led offense? The Rams scored 526 points during their 13-3 regular season, an average of almost 33 points per game. Kurt Warner threw 41 TD passes on his way to a 109.2 QB rating, and Marshall Faulk ran for 1,381 yards (an average of 5.5 yards per carry) and caught 87 passes for another thousand yards?
Kurt Warner led a Rams offense that averaged nearly 33 points a game in 1999.
The defense wasn't too shabby, either, allowing only 15 points per game, fourth in the NFL. In the playoffs, the Rams proved they could win high-scoring ballgames (they beat the Vikings 49-37 in the divisional playoff), low-scoring ballgames (they beat the Bucs 11-6 for the NFC title), and a rare the-hell-with-the-dip Super Bowl over the Titans 23-16.
“The Tackle”
On the final play of the game, St. Louis linebacker Mike Jones tackled Tennessee wide receiver Kevin Dyson one-yard short of the goal line to prevent a game-tying touchdown. This play later became known as simply "The Tackle."
Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, who completed 24 out of 45 passes for 414 yards and 2 touchdowns, was named the Super Bowl MVP. His 414 passing yards and 45 pass attempts without an interception were both Super Bowl records.
Faulk was the consummate professional. After a rough end to his career in Indianapolis (including a threat of a contract hold out due to “misunderstandings” with Colts brass), Faulk arrived in St. Louis and promptly became the catalyst for the “Greatest Show on Turf.” Faulk holds the record for yards from scrimmage in a season and set the record for touchdowns in a season (since eclipsed). In what may have been the best three consecutive seasons in NFL history (he totaled 4,122 rushing yards in a pass-happy offense, 59 touchdowns, 251 receptions and 2,643 receiving yards in that span of 44 games), Faulk was named MVP once and NFL Offensive Player of the Year three times. (As an aside, Faulk also won his team MVP award the two years that Kurt Warner won the league MVP.) For his career, Faulk collected 12,279 rushing yards (9th all-time), 767 receptions (16th all-time, 84 behind the top 10, all 10 being receivers), 6,875 receiving yards (tops among backs) and 136 touchdowns (4th all-time). Faulk also pops up on more obscure record lists, such as most consecutive games with a reception to start a career (146).
The numbers don’t speak to the man, though. Faulk was the prototype for the do-everything back all the rage in the NFL today - Faulk was lining up as a slot receiver before Reggie Bush was even in high school. And Faulk was one of the classiest players in the league, donating $500,000 to area children’s charities (and $20,000 for every touchdown to his own foundation) and displaying a work ethic rarely seen in athletes of his stature.
Even as he was ravaged by injuries, Faulk remained a contributor to his team’s success, whether playing on the field or playing as one of football’s best role models. After his reconstructive knee surgery, Faulk was asked by an NBC Sunday Night Football analyst if he was “retired or not.” Faulk replied that he was still a Ram and would be a Ram for the rest of his life. You just can’t teach an attitude like that.
If there’s still any doubt about Faulk’s merits, I’d like to point to one game in particular: Super Bowl XXXIV. Jeff Fischer and the Tennessee Titans, intent on limiting Faulk’s touches, held him to just 17 rushing yards. No matter: Faulk busted out for 90 receiving yards on only 5 catches and was one of the major reasons the Rams prevailed in one of the best Super Bowls in recent memory.
Sir Isaac Isidore Bruce (born November 10, 1972 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2nd round (33rd overall) in the 1994 NFL Draft. He went to Memphis State. He is one of the few players to achieve the goal of twelve thousand (12000) yards receiving. He is known for his fast first step, ability to change direction, and is considered the most precise route runner in the league. Bruce is one of the most respected receivers in the history of the NFL. He's nicknamed "The Reverend" because he wishes to become one after he finishes his football career. Married in 2006. He is the last "LA Ram" on the roster, a connection to the franchise when it was formerly in Los Angeles, California.
Bruce and teammate Torry Holt became only the second WR duo from the same team to each gain over 1400 yards in the same season for the St Louis Rams (see Herman Moore and Brett Perriman). On October 1, 2006, Isaac Bruce moved past Larry Centers to become 9th in all-time receptions with 833 catches. Bruce recorded one of his best seasons in recent past in 2006 eclipsing the 1,000 yard mark for the 10th time in his career.
2006 - Achieved 13,376 receiving yards and 887 receptions, putting him at 7th place for all-time wide receiver receptions and 7th for total yardage.
Caught Kurt Warner's 77 yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXXIV to give the Rams a 23-16 lead, which turned out to be the game winner.
When he makes a big play, it is custom for Rams fans to yell "Bruuuuuuce". To the uninitiated fan, it may sound like he is being booed.
Holt was the sixth overall draft pick in the 1999 NFL draft and the first selection made by the St. Louis Rams. In his rookie season he posted 53 receptions, 788 total yards and six touchdowns on the way to the Super Bowl XXXIV championship. Since then Holt has consistently reached at least 1,300 yards every season through 2005. Holt's streak was broken in 2006, due to injuries to himself and other teammates that hindered the offense for parts of the year.
On October 15th, 2006, Holt became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 receiving yards, doing so in the sixth game of his eighth season.
It’s the first philosophical question most children ask: if God is good, then why doesn’t He stop all of the world’s suffering?
Apparently, children aren’t watching enough sports, because with every skyward finger-point and “I’d just like to thank Jesus” post-game interview, the answer becomes more and more clear: Jesus’ No. 1 concern is the outcome of professional sporting events.
But with so many touchdowns to score and homeruns to hit, can Jesus keep His eye on that other, less interesting ball known as the rest of the world?
Jesus Wins the Super Bowl You don’t have to look very hard to see that there might be cause for alarm. At the end of the first January of the new millenium, 30 days after pulling a Gatsby at his 2000th birthday part, a plane carrying 169 passengers crashed into the ocean in Kenya, killing all but seven, and leaving countless mourners to ask, “Where are you, God?”
Apparently, those mourners didn’t have cable. If they did, they would have known that on January 30, 2000, He was in the Georgia Dome winning Super Bowl XXXIV for Kurt Warner. As Warner explained, “the Lord placed me in this position for a particular destiny—this place, this time, for a special thing. And we've got… guys here that the Lord has assembled and we just give the praise and glory to God.” But Warner—who the Lord seems to have forgotten about lately—isn’t the only Ram that Jesus was busy helping.
Jesus Touches Isaac Bruce’s #### One week before, on June 23rd, 2000, wide receiver Isaac Bruce, one of Warner’s favorite targets that season, experienced the divine hand of the Lord—in the general vicinity of his genitals. Bruce told Sports Illustrated that after injuring his groin in pre-game warm-ups, he got on the phone with his sister and prayed himself back to health.
A few hundred miles from where Jesus was playing Mr. Miyagi to Bruce’s Daniel, nine-time Pro Bowler Derrick Thomas was on his way to the same game when his car spun out of control, killing him and his passenger. Luckily for the Rams, Thomas was retired, so the accident had no bearing on the game or its subsequent T-shirt deals. One can only imagine Jesus’ relief upon learning that it was a retired player—not one of Bruce’s blockers—who wouldn’t be making it to the game that day.
An Alarming Trend
It would be hard to fault the Lord if these were just isolated incidents. It was the Super Bowl, and according to Bruce and Warner, Jesus is a huge Rams fan.
After Adam Schein read my post NFC WEST is the best division in the NFC from top to bottom. Written Jun 19 under the name TOMBRADYISSTILL####. He recently took it a step farther and claimed they were the best division in the NFL. I agree along with 38% of Fox Sports readers thats more than twice the percentage of any other division the closeset being 18% for the The NFC EAST.
I hope Adam continues to read my blogs and predicts the ST. Louis Rams going to the Superbowl before the season starts.
Not even 24 hours after being cut by the Chicago Bears DT Tank Johnson has begun prelimanary disscussions with the STL. Rams. Rams defensive end Leonard Little said he would love the chance to play with Tank and would put him under his wing.
After painstaking analystist this is the new and improved predictions for the NFC WEST.
St. Louis Rams (Last Year: 8-8)
Veteran Additions: WR Drew Bennett, TE Randy McMichael, DE James Hall, MLB Chris Draft, CB Lenny Walls, CB Mike Rumph, S Todd Johnson, KR Dante Hall. Draft Picks: FB Brian Leonard, WR Derek Stanley, OT Ken Shackleford, C Dustin Fry, DE Adam Carriker, DE Clifton Ryan, DT Keith Jackson, CB Jonathan Wade. Major Subtractions: RB Stephen Davis, RB Tony Fisher, FB Paul Smith (DEN), WR Kevin Curtis (PHI), WR Shaun McDonald (DET), G Adam Timmerman, C Larry Turner, DE Brandon Green (SEA), DT Jimmy Kennedy (DEN), DT Jason Fisk, OLB Dexter Coakley, MLB Isaiah Kacyvenski, LB Jamel Brooks, CB Travis Fisher (DET), CB Jerametrius Butler (WAS), S Dwaine Carpenter, P Matt Turk, KR Willie Ponder.
Offense This Year: When Scott Linehan took over the head-coaching job in St. Louis and the Rams failed to score more than 20 points in each of their first three games of the 2006 season, I was concerned that the "Greatest Show on Turf" that we've all loved to watch over the past half decade had disappeared and never would be seen again. Well, I was relieved to notice that St. Louis was able to score 24.6 points per game the rest of the campaign - which was only .4 less than last year's average when Marc Bulger was in the lineup.
Speaking of Bulger, I was shocked to see that he started all 16 games in a season for the first time in his career. That's a pretty impressive feat, considering he was sacked 49 times. If Bulger's healthy, he's one of the best and most underrated quarterbacks in the NFL. What he, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce have done over the years is amazing, especially when you take into account how atrocious the offensive line has been.
I already mentioned Bulger's 2006 sack total. Rams quarterbacks have been taken down 46 times in 2005; 50 times in 2004; 43 times in 2003; and 46 times in 2002. I thought Linehan would decrease that total, though to be fair, it should be noted that left tackle Orlando Pace missed eight games. The right side of the front looks better, as guard Richie Incognito and tackle Alex Barron started every single contest last season. However, left guard Mark Setterstrom, taken in the seventh round of the 2006 Draft, and 37-year-old center Andy McCollum will both be taking care of buisness.
McCollum isn't the only one whose age Rams fans need to be concerned about. Bruce turns 35 in November, which hurts because receivers Kevin Curtis and Shaun McDonald defected for other teams via the free-agent market. Drew Bennett was signed, and will be a effective a replacement. Newly acquired tight end Randy McMichael should fit well into the offense, but the man who makes the entire unit work is running back Steven Jackson. Jackson, free of Mike Martz's pass-happy scoring attack, rumbled for 1,528 rushing yards, 806 receiving yards and 16 total touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the most potent weapons in the NFL. Jackson could be in for better numbers if Pace stays healthy.
Little theme music to set the mood:
Kurt Warner led a Rams offense that averaged nearly 33 points a game in 1999. 
You don’t have to look very hard to see that there might be cause for alarm. At the end of the first January of the new millenium, 30 days after pulling a Gatsby at his 2000th birthday part, a plane carrying 169 passengers crashed into the ocean in Kenya, killing all but seven, and leaving countless mourners to ask, “Where are you, God?” 
One week before, on June 23rd, 2000, wide receiver Isaac Bruce, one of Warner’s favorite targets that season, experienced the divine hand of the Lord—in the general vicinity of his genitals. Bruce told Sports Illustrated that after injuring his groin in pre-game warm-ups, he got on the phone with his sister and prayed himself back to health.
