Little could be large
By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/20/2008
Oh, woe is the Rams fan these days.
— The team is coming off a 3-13 season, its worst since moving here in 1995. It hasn't posted a winning record since 2003 and has scored just one playoff win since its loss in the Super Bowl following the 2001 season.
— After perfect attendance for nearly 12 full seasons, home games no longer are automatic sellouts (unless the Bears, Packers or Steelers happen to be in town).
— The head coach, roundly vilified during and after last year's fiasco, is perched upon a very toasty seat.
— Sale rumors swirl around the franchise, despite owner Chip Rosenbloom's continuing insistence that he isn't looking for buyers.
— A stadium issue, which figures to be exceedingly contentious if taxpayers are asked to come up with hundreds of millions to keep the team here, looms on the horizon.
But, hey, it's July; that inelegant 48-19 season-ending loss at Arizona is almost seven months old. So, while conceding that the Rams have plenty of issues, challenges and shortcomings with which to contend, let's for a moment put on a happy face, haul out the rose-colored glasses, consider the glass half-full, swill some Kool-Aid and accentuate the positive.
Here, in no particular order, are 15 things to be excited about as the team prepares to gather this week at Concordia University in Mequon, Wis., for the start of training camp:
— Little could be large
After limping through last season with a debilitating big-toe injury that eventually required surgery, veteran defensive end
Leonard Little appears to have regained his burst. If Little can approach the form he displayed while averaging double-figure sack totals over six seasons, the defense will get a big boost.
— Spoonball
Will Witherspoon has developed into a top-tier middle linebacker who should have been invited to the Pro Bowl after a season in which he led the team in tackles (132) and sacks (seven).
— Young guns
The defensive line, a problem area in recent years, is transforming with an influx of promising youngsters. The group includes end Chris Long and tackle Adam Carriker, first-round draftees the past two years, plus second-year tackle Clifton Ryan, third-year tackle
Claude Wroten and third-year end Victor Adeyanju.
— O.J. is OK
Free safety Oshiomogho "O.J." Atogwe flourished in his second full season as a starter; his eight interceptions led the NFC. If he can build on his '07 performance, a trip to Hawaii next February could wind up on Atogwe's itinerary.
— Special legs
The retirement of venerable kicker Jeff Wilkins was a blow, but Josh Brown, a free-agent pickup from Seattle, is a suitable replacement. He and punter Donnie Jones should form one of the league's best special-teams tandems.
— Hale, hearty . . . and due for some good luck
After last year's surfeit of injuries, the offensive line is healthy and brimming with potential. Guard Jacob Bell is an important addition. The comeback of tackle
Orlando Pace, who missed most of the last two seasons, is the obvious key.
— Rookie help
Draft picks John Greco (third round), a tackle, and Roy Schuening (fifth), a guard, look as if they will be able to provide immediate depth on the O-line.
— Backfield in motion
Steven Jackson ranks among the NFL's best running backs, and Antonio Pittman has shown flashes that he might emerge as an effective backup.
— Shopping spree
New personnel chief Billy Devaney made some wise choices in the free-agent market, notably Brown, Bell, tight end Anthony Becht and wide receiver Reche Caldwell. All addressed obvious needs.
— Catching on fast
Fleet rookie wideouts Donnie Avery (second round) and Keenan Burton (fourth) were highly impressive in the spring. "I've never seen two young guys that are as hungry to be as good as they can be but also have the talent to go with it," coach Scott Linehan said. "Neither one of them does anything but eat, drink, breathe, sleep football."
— Call me Al
Linehan called right away when vet Al Saunders became available and quickly hired him as his offensive coordinator. The perpetually energetic Saunders has a solid track record and should help re-ignite a unit that lost its way in '07.
— Coaching 'em up
In addition to Saunders, Linehan made significant staff upgrades by bringing aboard well-regarded assistant coaches Art Valero (running backs), Steve Loney (offensive line) and Terry Shea (quarterbacks), plus promoting Ron Milus (secondary) and shifting Jim Chaney to tight ends from assistant offensive line.
— Q-factor
Arguably the most pleasant surprise of last season was linebacker Quinton Culberson, who not only made the team as an undrafted rookie but starred on special teams and piled up a team-high 14 tackles vs. Arizona in his lone start on defense. Culberson will compete with Chris Draft for the starting job on the strong side.
— Big Mac is back
After what he described as a "miserable year" in his first season with the Rams, tight end Randy McMichael figures to be a far larger piece of the offensive puzzle. McMichael was targeted regularly during the spring practices and often was seen downfield, an area he rarely experienced last year.
— Dante is blazing
Record-setting return specialist Dante Hall is looking spry and speedy after an ankle injury scuttled a significant portion of his first season with the Rams.
Linear Mode
