This season is to be expected every so often in the trials and tribulations of an NFL team. Every team experiences it, even the Patriots will eventually. Teams that find success in bunches like the Rams have had in recent years are bound to have pitfalls for a couple of years. It's the NFL's nature. Teams with success get buzzard picked of their players; they draft deep into the first few rounds and don't get the talent that maybe they desperately need.
Now, the last two years the Rams have had the luxury of infusing youth at key positions.
Tye Hill (jury is still out but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt) and Adam Carriker were two first round picks who look to stick, which is a welcome sight compared to the DLew and Jimmy Kennedy debacles. Even
Alex Barron has turned out to be pretty good at his position along with Stephen Jackson. Now, we are just a few pieces away from turning this thing around and by selecting at the top of rounds 1 and 2 and possibly 3 could really get this thing moving. Steve Young made a smart comment last night about Joey Porter and the Steelers. It's the teams that KNOW that an infusion of youth is needed and that let go of aging veterans that stay on top of the league. Lawyer Milloy at New England is another example. The Rams are in desperate need of two things: an outside pass rusher and speed at WR. Those two needs can be had in rounds 1 and 2, especially where the Rams will probably end up sitting.
So, don't be sad my fellow fans. It's the nature of the salary cap and success as to why the Rams are in this state of flux this year. That's why year 3 with Linehan was both inevitable and also dangerous. Inevitable because it's hard to judge on just two years, dangerous because if he doesn't draft right he could set this team back another two years. It's up to him and the front office to see that the Rams get the needed help that will be available. Let's just see if they have the where with all to make the right choices at the front of the buffet line.