not confident

[sbramfan]

Ok, everything seems to be shaping up nicely this offseason. Most of the needs are being filled, and I think everyone agrees with what the needs are, including the Rams FO, which is odd!!

But here's my deal: For some reason I can't seem to picture the Rams being a dominant team next year. On paper, it's looking good. I think Kevin Curtis has come into his own, and with Jackson the offense SHOULD be pretty explosive.

I THINK the defense will be much improved, and the special teams in no way could be as bad as they were last year, it's just not possible.

I apologize in advance for the negativity, but this is me thinking out loud:

I just don't see these Rams right now (and continuing from last year) being anywhere near the Eagles/Patriots level. Perhaps it's just the parity in the League that makes me reluctant. I'm not sure if picking up Claiborne and Coakley are enough to fix the D.

Are we somewhat over-optomistic because they made a year end surge and won a playoff game? Although that's a positive, it was only 2 weeks prior that they were 6-8 and looking like it was going to be a long offseason. Which team is going to show up next year, the one that layed an egg vs. Miami and New England? Even though the Defense was outmatched vs. the Falcons, didn't our new D coordinator BLOW the game plan by trying to contain the outside, while getting gutted up the middle?

And lastly, this team was 8-8 last year. You are what your record says you are. If I look at any other 8-8 team in the league from last year, I would probably say "they aren't going anywhere next year". I'm sure they all picked up a few FA's to fill some holes as well.

Feel free to post the positives, but I'm just trying to look at it from the outside, and be realistic.

[ZigZagRam]

Are we somewhat over-optomistic because they made a year end surge and won a playoff game?

I think we're optomistic because we had a bad year and finished 8-8 and made it into the second round of the playoffs.

[AvengerRam]

All I will say is that recent experience has demonstrated that NFL teams can improve greatly in a single year.


Remember, it is only two years back that the Rams went from 7-9 to 12-4 in one year.

There are still holes to fill, but the Rams have both the draft choices (four first day picks) and the cap room to address them.

There are no guarantees, but I like the direction the team seems to be taking.

[general counsel]

I agree that the eagles are a better team on paper than we are, even with the improvements. Also, before we break our arms patting ourselves on the back, we need to see how the leonard little situation shakes out since his availability or lack thereof is a HUGE swing in how competitive this team can be. Without him, our pass rush takes a major hit, putting additional stress on a secondary that is not dominant to say the least.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, besides the eagles, who is really better than us?

I think in todays nfl, the talent is so balanced within a range that injuries are just so critical. We have at the least a puncher's chance and if we get some breaks, we can have a shot to win it all.

I also think we need to get the turf in the dome issue resolved. Injuries are always a part of the game, but increasing the odds in your favor for a few bucks is something that makes a lot of sense to me. I know that its not the rams call on that point, but lets hope that the City or appropriate governmental or quasi governmental authority gives us better turf.

Ramming Speed to All and Free Leonard!

General Counsel

[psycho9985]

1999 13-3, 2000 10-6,2001,14-2.2002 7-9.2003,12-4,2004 8-8.Do you see a pattern here? the Rams seem to tank every other year,so look out in 2005 I predict 11-5 division winners.Not to mention 1998 4-12.Its our time to make our break,I think will light up alot of teams were gonna be expected to lose too.We get our Rt and Bulger is gonna show some nay sayers (like Bernie)what over 4000 yards in the air looks like.If Jackson stays healthy and Martz balances the offense somewhat Jackson gets 800 in the air and 1200 on the ground.

[fearlessone]

1999 13-3, 2000 10-6,2001,14-2.2002 7-9.2003,12-4,2004 8-8.Do you see a pattern here? the Rams seem to tank every other year,so look out in 2005 I predict 11-5 division winners.Not to mention 1998 4-12.Its our time to make our break,I think will light up alot of teams were gonna be expected to lose too.We get our Rt and Bulger is gonna show some nay sayers (like Bernie)what over 4000 yards in the air looks like.If Jackson stays healthy and Martz balances the offense somewhat Jackson gets 800 in the air and 1200 on the ground.

Have you seen the 2005 schedule? If we go 11-5 name your bottle and I will two day mail or have a hot escort escort your spirits to you personally.

Hell if we go 4-2 vs our division opps then we will have a good year as the c-dicks and K's Birds are closing the gap quickly.

But psycho killer, qu'est-que c'est (sorry i could not resist :tongue: )?, I hope your prediction holds true as we would probably clinch homefield with that record all the way to the final playoff game.

With our schedule I would be happy to take a wildcard unless we keep up the momentum with some FA additions.

Fingers are crossed as we need a great veteran QB to step in if Bulger goes down with our still patchy OL, nevermind the defense which needs big time help if LL hangs his hat at the GRay Bar Inn :tough:

[ZigZagRam]

With the parity in the league today, it seems like scheduling doesn't really matter anymore. It's like the good teams and bad teams swap so often now, you never know how difficult your schedule is really going to be.

For being such a Fearless One, you sure sound scared. :redface:

[fearlessone]

With the parity in the league today, it seems like scheduling doesn't really matter anymore. It's like the good teams and bad teams swap so often now, you never know how difficult your schedule is really going to be.
For being such a Fearless One, you sure sound scared. :redface:

ZZ,

Exactly my point, if we do not continue to inprove with FA acq's and a solid Draft then we will be just that: mediocre.

I want to get back to that exclusive upper ring and playing the likes of the Eagles, Colts, Jags and improving Titans and C-boys, Giants and Texans ... and do not forget the Saints who seem to have our number no matter how (rappy they are ... makes me think we can't stop with the Pace signing, we need to bolster the OL and the WHOLE D and have a decently prepared ST unit or that schedule will give us and any 2004 playoff team a tough path to the second season.

PS Sorry to sound like a Gato chicquito :tongue:

[psycho9985]

Hey fearlessone a bottle of petron works for me.I'll take 1 shot for each win next year.I expect the bottle will be empty by week 9

[fearlessone]

Hey fearlessone a bottle of petron works for me.I'll take 1 shot for each win next year.I expect the bottle will be empty by week 9

Is that tequilla? and what does it cost?

You can have your stinkin' tequilla with your stinkin' badges if we win 9 in 9 games or 11 in 17 :redface:

I will be happy either way!

[RamsFanSam]

11-5....sounds about right. Division, I see us sweeping the whiners, winning both against the seachickens, and splitting with the tards. The beagles and colts will give us some trouble. The rest of the games...well, I don't really see any way to predict. It depends whether or not some brilliant ST play happens, or if the right defense scheme is used. I see another division title for us. I see playoffs. I see people FINALLY realizing Bulger isn't just an average QB, but one of the best. Lastly, I see some of the NFL's "best" (aka pats, eagles, etc.) not doing quite as good as they are expected to do.

Bring on the season!!!!

[psycho9985]

Is that tequilla? and what does it cost?

You can have your stinkin' tequilla with your stinkin' badges if we win 9 in 9 games or 11 in 17 :redface:

I will be happy either way!

I just take big shots.:redface:

[Ramsfan8503]

I just don't see these Rams right now (and continuing from last year) being anywhere near the Eagles/Patriots level. Perhaps it's just the parity in the League that makes me reluctant. I'm not sure if picking up Claiborne and Coakley are enough to fix the D.

i think that coakley and claiborne can fix our d that was our problem. our dbs were playing to close because our crappy lbs couldnt tackle. i think coakley and claiborne are the biggest offseason acquasition in the nfl.

[ZigZagRam]

I don't think they, alone, are enough to fix the defense. But I do think if we can draft and pick up a little more talent in post-June 1st free agency, then we should be solid. And solid is all this team needs if we can get a strong RT.

[sbramfan]

I thought I read, on paper, the Rams schedule is one of the weakest?