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Much has been made, and shall continue to be made about where to go with the 1st overall pick this year. What I want to know is what is our most glaring need? What can make or break this team? I'm prepared to give a little insight to each position and how they can impact our team.
1.) QB: Obviously this is one of the biggest points of contention with all fans this year as well as from years past. It seems unlikely that the Rams won't do SOMETHING to address the QB position this year, but where are you at clan rammers? Personally I don't think a top tier QB is a major need. Perhaps we need a game manager, a Chad Henne type or Matt Moore. Watching the Rams turn into an air-raid offense seems unlikely no matter who gets the job though. One thing is for sure though, a fresh face under center could force defenders to pull a defender or two out of the box.
2.) DL: Suh and McCoy have dominated their fair share of draft talk this offseason, rightfully so. Is DL the most glaring need to this team though? Coach Spags has made his mark on the NFL as a guy who can make the most out of largely unknown talent. His DL by committee mantra in NY really gave life to guys like Justin Tuck and Osi. Perhaps the Rams have their guys in Clifton Ryan and Chris Long. The uncertain future of players behind them does make an awful lot of people nervous. Top flight talent could anchor this unit for a decade.
3.) WR: Last season gave a lot of WR's the light of day they may have never seen if not for the likes of Billy Devaney. He traded for the likes of Robinson and Gibson, and recruited Amendola, Kent and Martin from relative obscurity. A lot of hopes ride on Robinson and Avery to lead a largely unproven and unknown squad of receivers, but do either make for a threat to opposing defenses? Surely a true #1 receiver would do wonders for ANY QB to relieve a little pressure and maybe create a mismatch for our speedy corps.
4.) OLB: J-Lau proved to be the steal of the draft for our Rams last season, and will hopefully anchor our LB corps for years to come. The only trouble is that we don't exactly have much of a corps around him. Vobora has captivated the teams attention as a spark-plug once only known as Mr. Irrelevant, but is he a true starter for this Defense at SLB? Paris Lennon is a journyman at WLB and merely there to keep the spot warm for anyone to come in and claim it. A couple of bruisers to play sideline to sideline would definately benefit the whole defense by adding extra protection to stop the run, as well as helping to check the increasingly popular WR Screen, popularized by Arizona.
5.) TE: In the teams' attempt to run a West Coast offense, TE is supposed to be a keystone to success. Randy McMichael was once a top TE for the Dolphins and was expected to be a presence for the young Rams unit. That experiment is now likely coming to an end. Daniel Fells could still surprise as a viable starter, but there's always room for improvement. Much has been made about the possible RFA TE's this offseason, and there is a lot of love for the incoming draft class too. The Rams would definately benefit from a large and sure-handed target for whoever stands under center.
6.) RB: Coach Spags' intentions are well known regarding running the ball. Running will set the momentum of the game and we will play smashmouth-ball-control football. Trouble is; Steven Jackson is only human. He strapped this team to his back and it took a toll on him at the end of the year. The Rams will have to get a fresh pair of legs to give him a spell here and there. Chris O. did quite well for himself in a brief appearance at the end of the year, and despite the lack of face time Kenneth Darby managed some decent numbers himself. Is it one of the biggest needs for this team? Well the health of Steven Jackson is directly related to it, so perhaps it's being underplayed a bit.
7.) O-Line: When healthy the line has managed to play (perhaps) better than expected. Jason Brown was a much needed injection of health, and in his time on the line Jason Smith made an impact. As has been their MO though, injuries took their toll and by the end of the year the patchwork O-Line caved in. A few years back the NY Jets spent two first round picks on the O-Line and now they sport the number 1 running attack in the NFL. Nevermind the fact that poor line play has all but ended Bulger's career. Solid line play is a key in the NFL.
8.) DB: OJ and Butler hold down the saftey spots. Butler is a good starter, but with the likes of Antrell Rolle coming available we have room to improve. CB is also an area of concern. Bartell has played solid, but not shutdown quality football like we'd hoped. Fletcher appears to be on the fast track to recovery and coaches are very optimistic about his return. After that it begins to get fuzzy. With much of the NFL more apt to running a wide open passing attack our depth at CB is a bit of a concern. Quincy Butler played ok at times, Justin King is a sound tackler, but poor in coverage.
What does everyone think? Everyone has an opinion on what could save this team, I honestly think the right player in any one of those spots could help turn the ship quickly. We've got great role players, but we lack in star power.
1.) QB: Obviously this is one of the biggest points of contention with all fans this year as well as from years past. It seems unlikely that the Rams won't do SOMETHING to address the QB position this year, but where are you at clan rammers? Personally I don't think a top tier QB is a major need. Perhaps we need a game manager, a Chad Henne type or Matt Moore. Watching the Rams turn into an air-raid offense seems unlikely no matter who gets the job though. One thing is for sure though, a fresh face under center could force defenders to pull a defender or two out of the box.
2.) DL: Suh and McCoy have dominated their fair share of draft talk this offseason, rightfully so. Is DL the most glaring need to this team though? Coach Spags has made his mark on the NFL as a guy who can make the most out of largely unknown talent. His DL by committee mantra in NY really gave life to guys like Justin Tuck and Osi. Perhaps the Rams have their guys in Clifton Ryan and Chris Long. The uncertain future of players behind them does make an awful lot of people nervous. Top flight talent could anchor this unit for a decade.
3.) WR: Last season gave a lot of WR's the light of day they may have never seen if not for the likes of Billy Devaney. He traded for the likes of Robinson and Gibson, and recruited Amendola, Kent and Martin from relative obscurity. A lot of hopes ride on Robinson and Avery to lead a largely unproven and unknown squad of receivers, but do either make for a threat to opposing defenses? Surely a true #1 receiver would do wonders for ANY QB to relieve a little pressure and maybe create a mismatch for our speedy corps.
4.) OLB: J-Lau proved to be the steal of the draft for our Rams last season, and will hopefully anchor our LB corps for years to come. The only trouble is that we don't exactly have much of a corps around him. Vobora has captivated the teams attention as a spark-plug once only known as Mr. Irrelevant, but is he a true starter for this Defense at SLB? Paris Lennon is a journyman at WLB and merely there to keep the spot warm for anyone to come in and claim it. A couple of bruisers to play sideline to sideline would definately benefit the whole defense by adding extra protection to stop the run, as well as helping to check the increasingly popular WR Screen, popularized by Arizona.
5.) TE: In the teams' attempt to run a West Coast offense, TE is supposed to be a keystone to success. Randy McMichael was once a top TE for the Dolphins and was expected to be a presence for the young Rams unit. That experiment is now likely coming to an end. Daniel Fells could still surprise as a viable starter, but there's always room for improvement. Much has been made about the possible RFA TE's this offseason, and there is a lot of love for the incoming draft class too. The Rams would definately benefit from a large and sure-handed target for whoever stands under center.
6.) RB: Coach Spags' intentions are well known regarding running the ball. Running will set the momentum of the game and we will play smashmouth-ball-control football. Trouble is; Steven Jackson is only human. He strapped this team to his back and it took a toll on him at the end of the year. The Rams will have to get a fresh pair of legs to give him a spell here and there. Chris O. did quite well for himself in a brief appearance at the end of the year, and despite the lack of face time Kenneth Darby managed some decent numbers himself. Is it one of the biggest needs for this team? Well the health of Steven Jackson is directly related to it, so perhaps it's being underplayed a bit.
7.) O-Line: When healthy the line has managed to play (perhaps) better than expected. Jason Brown was a much needed injection of health, and in his time on the line Jason Smith made an impact. As has been their MO though, injuries took their toll and by the end of the year the patchwork O-Line caved in. A few years back the NY Jets spent two first round picks on the O-Line and now they sport the number 1 running attack in the NFL. Nevermind the fact that poor line play has all but ended Bulger's career. Solid line play is a key in the NFL.
8.) DB: OJ and Butler hold down the saftey spots. Butler is a good starter, but with the likes of Antrell Rolle coming available we have room to improve. CB is also an area of concern. Bartell has played solid, but not shutdown quality football like we'd hoped. Fletcher appears to be on the fast track to recovery and coaches are very optimistic about his return. After that it begins to get fuzzy. With much of the NFL more apt to running a wide open passing attack our depth at CB is a bit of a concern. Quincy Butler played ok at times, Justin King is a sound tackler, but poor in coverage.
What does everyone think? Everyone has an opinion on what could save this team, I honestly think the right player in any one of those spots could help turn the ship quickly. We've got great role players, but we lack in star power.
:helmet::ram:
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