Rams position by position break down for the offseason

St. Louis Rams: position by position
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
01/04/2009

QUARTERBACK

Sorry, Bulger bashers, Marc isn't going anywhere. But it remains to be seen whether Trent Green is brought back as the No. 2, and Brock Berlin returns as the No. 3. At the least, the Rams could draft a QB of the future somewhere in the middle rounds.

RUNNING BACK

Once again, Steven Jackson proved he's one of the league's elite backs when healthy and not holding out. Kenneth Darby looks like a find as a No. 3 back who has quickness and can block and catch passes. But a strong No. 2 back is a must.

TIGHT ENDS/fullback

Enough already, a true lead-blocking fullback is a must. Currently, there isn't one on the roster. The return of tight end Randy McMichael from injury helps. Daniel Fells showed potential; are Anthony Becht and Joe Klopfenstein brought back?



WIDE RECEIVER

The big question here is will Torry Holt be back? It's clear he wasn't happy about his decreased role, and his contract may have to be restructured. Cap concerns probably mean Drew Bennett stays. The Teen Squad must step it up in '09.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Richie Incognito didn't make any friends by opting out of the finale because of illness. Jim Haslett was so upset he slapped a candy bar out of Incognito's hands on the sideline. So guard could be added to a wish list that already includes tackle and center.

DEFENSIVE LINE

If end Leonard Little is brought back, the only addition here could be a wide body to help on run defense at nose tackle. La'Roi Glover's contract is up, and he could be headed for retirement. First-rounders Chris Long and Adam Carriker need to step up in '09.

LINEBACKER

It seems certain that Will Witherspoon is headed to weakside LB. If that's the case, what happens to Pisa Tinoisamoa? A big, run-stuffing middle LB should be one of the team's top priorities. Upgraded talent is needed all around on this unit.

SECONDARY

Re-signing CB Ron Bartell and FS Oshiomogho Atogwe is a must. Nickel back Jason Craft also should be re-signed for a modest price. SS Corey Chavous probably won't be back. Can Tye Hill return to form as the other starting corner?

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker Josh Brown and punter Donnie Jones form one of the best tandems in the league. But with Dante Hall almost certainly gone, do the Rams feel comfortable with Derek Stanley as their primary return man?

So far I don't see much difference in the 08 to 09 Rams break down. A new MLB maybe move spoon to the outside ok agree, draft a OT.

Mr Thomas has composed the kind of appraisal that any passing fan/five year old could have written.

What, exactly, are we supposed to learn from this pitiful effort?

This was written for all the fans, not just the diehards.

I said when we first got him, that Witherspoon would not work out full time at MLB. He's too small and our DL doesn't take on enough blocks or make enough tackles to compensate for that. I would love to get a big banger at MLB and move him back to the outside where he can excel.