TSN Rams Team Report

[RamWraith]

Rams Team Report
February 17, 2008

Jim Thomas
For Sporting News

PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: With his coaching staff finally intact, Scott Linehan finally can turn his full attention to player personnel. What began as potential changes involving only one or two coaches mushroomed into seven new assistants. The offensive side of the ball has undergone a total facelift, with a new coordinator, quarterbacks coach, running backs coach, offensive line coach, and tight ends coach.

Regardless of the official word out of Rams Park, Linehan certainly was "nudged" in this direction by upper management. Now, the question is how quickly will this group of new coaches meld together and how well will they work together.

Can they get the most out of what largely is an aging core of skill position players? And can they do a better job of protecting quarterback Marc Bulger? In general, the teams with the most coaching continuity are the teams that experience the most success. So expect some bumps along the way in this massive overhaul. . . .

Left tackle Orlando Pace has 80 percent of the strength back in his surgically repaired shoulder and already has been around Rams Park more than he has in years doing rehab work and working out. A healthy Pace, obviously, would do wonders for the team's offensive line and could affect its draft plans. Like Pace, several other Rams who underwent offseason surgery appear to be on schedule in their rehab programs. Of that group, only second-year defensive lineman Adam Carriker (shoulder surgery) may be iffy for the start of training camp.

SCOUTING REPORT: Brian Leonard was a jack-of-all-trades but master of none as a rookie. He was a feature back for several games when Steven Jackson was hurt, a third-down back, and a fullback. His role, however, was greatly diminished once Jackson returned to health and Antonio Pittman took over as the No. 2 running back. Leonard plans to bulk up to about 235 pounds to better handle the blocking duties required at fullback. Leonard still has confidence in his abilities as a runner and pass-catcher, and should have a role in the new offense of coordinator Al Saunders.

HARD TRUTH: With one potential free agent after another being taken often the market, either through finding a new team or re-signing with their old teams, the Rams realize their options in that area may be limited. The draft will be the way to go in getting the Rams back to playoff contention, and it will take a couple of drafts to get the St. Louis franchise back on its feet.

The team's new head of player personnel, Billy Devaney, realizes this. The Rams can't afford any wasted picks, or any stretches where they get dazzled by the stopwatch or gamble on a player with off-field problems.

[laram0]

Brian Leonard could be our secret weapon in Al Saunders Offensive scheme. That is if Leonard dedicates himself to getting bigger and stronger?

:r

[hoosierdaddy]

Brian Leonard could be our secret weapon in Al Saunders Offensive scheme. That is if Leonard dedicates himself to getting bigger and stronger?

:r

Yeah. If we use him right, he could bring so many new opportunities too the offense.

[MauiRam]

Brian Leonard could be our secret weapon in Al Saunders Offensive scheme. That is if Leonard dedicates himself to getting bigger and stronger?

:r

Dedication has been Brian's middle name thoughout his school career, he isn't going to change now. What I find intriguing is how Al Saunders plans to utilize him in his offense.

[bruce4life]

Saunders will use him like he used tony richardson is KC....

[Mooselini]

I hope to see Leonard as a back up for Jackson. Utilize the two back system. I havent seen enough news on Pittman for anything however...

[MauiRam]

I hope to see Leonard as a back up for Jackson. Utilize the two back system. I havent seen enough news on Pittman for anything however...

If Leonard is going to bulk up to better enable him to lead block for SJ as the article states, were SJ to get dinged, Brian would then be blocking for Pittman. Brian is going to play fullback, not running back.

[viper]

I believe Leonard was up around 235 - 240 when he played fullback at Rutgers. Then he lost about 15 pounds before the combine so that he would have better speed and agility. So he's used to carrying that weight.

I think getting his weight back up is precisely what he needs to do to get back on the field and showcase the skills that we've been expecting. Al Saunders will surely utilize Leonard in a way that he'll finally be able to contribute consistently. This will be Leonard's year, as a full back, while Pittman will excel as our no. 2 RB with a full offseason in camp with the Rams.