Offense could carry Ramsposted: Thursday, March 22, 2007 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: St. Louis Rams
By Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc.
The offseason isn't over yet, but on paper it looks like the St. Louis Rams' suspect defense will force their offense to have to put up a whole lot of points to keep the team in games. However, this just might just be the unit to do that. Second-year coach Scott Linehan had a very good offense for his system and should see an upgrade in his second season because of increased familiarity.
BulgerMarc Bulger, possibly the most underrated passer in the league, threw for over 4,300 yards last year and, most impressively, threw just eight interceptions in a new offense and in the face of a consistently heavy pass rush. Bulger has a 64.4 percent career completion percentage and could very well be the most accurate thrower in the game today. He is tough, smart and very efficient, spreads the ball around well, gets his playmakers involved and should be poised for a monster season.
Running back
Steven Jackson ran for over 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns and is big, fast, physical back who lends toughness and physicality to what is often considered a finesse team. He is also a weapon as a pass catcher, and his versatility is invaluable. Jackson is entering the prime of his career, but as much as he can do for the Rams, they need to be careful not to overuse their star runner. The team signed Travis Minor, who Linehan is very familiar with from their time together in Miami, but it would be wise for the Rams to use a mid-round pick in the upcoming draft on the position, perhaps a player like Florida State's Lorenzo Booker, who could also help out as a returner.
Torry Holt, in my opinion, is the best wide receiver in the game today. Holt does every thing well and with uncanny consistency. His 1,188 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns were short of his usual standards, but Holt still commands a ton of attention against every team he faces and opens up space for the other wideouts. On the other side, Isaac Bruce quietly added another very good season to what should be a Hall of Fame career with 74 receptions for almost 1,100 yards -- not too shabby for a No. 2 receiver. Bruce still has the ability to exploit a defense's second cornerback, and Bulger trusts him in any situation.
BennettThe Rams lost WRs Kevin Curtis and Shaun McDonald in free agency but replaced them with Drew Bennett, a much different kind of receiver. He is a proven starter and was productive in a Tennessee offense that doesn't throw the ball as much as the Rams do. Bennett got a six-year, $30 million contract and will be used a lot. He has the size to be a red-zone threat, has good long speed and always seems to come up with a couple of huge games every season.
St. Louis will surely use a lot of three-WR sets, but the addition of tight end Randy McMichael will lessen the need for a quality fourth receiver. McMichael has 185 catches over the last three years, and Linehan will put him in positions to succeed. The newly-signed tight end is tough and competitive -- he has not missed a game in his five-year career -- and McMichael is certainly capable of exploiting the linebacker coverage he will see with secondaries focusing on the wide receivers. McMichael and second-year man
Joe Klopfenstein will allow for more two-TE sets, and Klopfenstein's size and athletic ability should help him be much-improved in 2007.
Along the line, left tackle
Orlando Pace is returning from a torn triceps injury that landed him on injured reserve in November, and while he had slipped a bit even before the injury, he is still an amazing physical specimen and a great player. Even if Pace returns at 80 percent of his peak level, then Bulger's blind side will be secure. The Rams gave up 49 sacks last year -- only the three teams picking in the first three spots in the draft gave up more -- and getting Pace back will go a long way toward rectifying that problem.
Alex Barron, a former first-rounder who is showing glimpses of his potential, starts at the other tackle spot, and his outstanding physical tools give him a chance to become a very good player provided he works harder on the little things.
The interior of the offensive line has been shuffled since the beginning of 2006, beginning with the signing of center Brett Romberg from Jacksonville's practice squad in September. Romberg was a pleasant surprise and looks like the starter this year, while
Mark Setterstrom and
Richie Incognito are young guards who have been impressive in limited opportunities.
With the exception of adding a backup for Jackson and maybe another offensive lineman, the Rams are set on offense and will be able to concentrate on the other side of the ball in the draft. Needless to say, though, the defense isn't exactly in the same shape and needs an awful lot of attention. If that unit can ever get off the field, expect the offense to put on a show in 2007.
Linear Mode
