Can the Rams compete for the NFC West title in 2012?

[AvengerRam]

I think most of us feel like the Rams have improved.

How much?

Can they compete for the West title?

[ZiaRam]

Honestly in my eyes yes. The biggest reason is because our gain in leadership and the holes we have filled... heck there were points in last years games when our leadership made a difference in a game where it went south from that point and we lost the chance of even winning. I honestly see it between us and the ninnies this year. I would say the Cards would be in there but their QB situation is just horrible, as well as the seaHawks... Pete Caroll proving he can't run a NFL team to its fullest.... questionable personal moves. So our two games vs. the Whiners will be of the upmost importance. This is how I would rank the NFC WEST:

1. Whiners
2. Rams
3. Tards
4. Squaks

[MauiRam]

Really I have no idea at this point. Kind of like trying to grade the draft now. Anything is possible I suppose. We went from 3 -13 to a Super Bowl, so why not 2 -14 to the playoffs? I'll go for "possibly" which is the same as "I haven't a clue yet, but hope abounds ..

[Ram Mar Ram]

Unlikely.

Whiners have improved in the off-season on the 13-3 team of 2011. Thats hard to topple.
I dont see much of a drop-off for them and unlike teams that rely on QB's to stay in games and therefore teams that lose their top QB suffer, they are a Run First + Tough Defensive Unit, which only got better and could survive the loss of Alex Smith if need be, further cementing the teams position as NFC West favourites.

the rest is could fall any which way. but id pick Seahawks for the bottom.

1. Whiners
2. Rams - Coz Fisher said he was going to win early.
3. Cards
4. Squaks

[laram0]

Unlikely

The NFC West is improving. We have talent and anything is possible as the 1999 RAMS showed us.

But I still go with unlikely.

I see the standings looking like this:
Whiners
Cardinals
Rams/Seahawks tie

[sosa39rams]

I believe we can. This is why:

1) Every injured player gets a clean slate
2) Paul Boudreau.. 'Nuff said
3) From the draft we have 7 new starters (Zuerlein, Givens, Quick, Brockers, Janoris, Hekker (UDFA), Rock)
4) Jeff Fisher actually knows how to make in-game adjustments (I'm lookin at you Spags!)
5) For the first time in many years we actually have explosive speedy players that can break it for an 80 yard TD (Givens, Pead)
6) Our run defense looks SOLID (Brockers, Langford, C. Long, and at Quinn's spot we can sprinkle in William Hayes / Trevor Laws at times on 1st down for run stop).
7) We have 6 players coming back off IR who can start or challenge for a starting spot
8) McMoron is gone

I think we're very competitive within our division. Our run defense looks to be solid, and we need that because we're going to play Marshawn Lynch / Robert Turbin, Frank Gore / Kendall Hunter / LaMichael James, and Beanie Wells / Ryan Williams a lot this year. All capable runners.

Our pass D looks solid as well. Once again, we're going to need it playing against Fitz / Floyd, A.J Jenkins / Crabtree / Moss / Manningham, and Obamanu / Mike Williams / Golden Tate / Sidney Rice / Doug Baldwin / and Ricardo Lockette.

My only worry is the offense and injuries. I hope Quick and Givens can step in immediately and give the offense a spark. I hope Rock steps in at LG and is dominant along with the rest of the offensive line.

10 - 6 LETS GO!

[DeaconJ]

Better team speed and a much improved defense. I'd say we've got another year to look forward to the playoffs, but the opponents that have marginal offensive lines are in for a rude awakening this season. The defense will be smokin'!

[macrammer]

Well, I only know for sure that we all start off tied but after that I'd say unlikely, improved but unlikely. I will say that for sure, we will double our 2011 victory total

[RamsFanSam]

Yes. The crappy luck from the last couple of years has to end sometime. Honestly, I thought we would have been at least 7-9 last season. This year, I expect 8-8.

Even if we don't do that good, I will always look at the bright side...I will NEVER be a whiners fan!

[RAMFANRAIDERHATER]

No. Not enough talent yet. Maybe next year.

[VegasRam]

I would agree with RFRH. It's just too soon. Maybe the talent's there, but not the experience.
I do think the Rams win it going away in 2013.

[Rambos]

Good poll question Av

I went Unlikely The talent is improving, but it will take at least a year to come together.

IMO we did get much better, but we are still another year away. We are a very young team, learning new schemes on both sides of the ball. Next year we have a ton in cap space and two first rounds picks in next years draft, we should be lock next year.

[THOLTFAN81]

Put in the context of the above poll, I would have to answer Absolutely.

I answer absolutely, because outside of Frisco, I think we will be able to go toe-to-toe with Arizona and Seattle. Neither of their QBs scare me. I think we will shut both these offenses down, and I think our offense will be able to score on them. As stated in another thread, I think we can go 9-7 this season.

Of course, I think Frisco will win the division, unfortunately. However, due to the wording of the Poll I think this was the most logical choice because I think we WILL beat 2/3 division opponents we will face, and quite frankly the third don't scare me too much with that erratic game manager QB.

[FestusRam]

After seeing the whiners take a 180° turn with a new coach that they bought into, idk how you could think we dont atleast have a chance.

[Fastcat]

They say this year all the planets are gonna line up iin the solar system and it may cuase an magnetic shift on earth... If this happens year the rams will win the west!!