2012 NFL Season Preview: St. Louis Rams
By Editorial Staff
St. Louis Rams
Front Office:
Owner: Stan Kroenke
GM: Billy Devaney
B: The owner showed faith in retaining Devaney, who was part of the last regime though not as a GM, to right the ship. Devaney brought this organization both Spagnuolo and Bradford. Once wins start to follow, which they will, the grade will go up. Love what your doingSt. Louis.
Coaching Staff
HC: Steve Spagnuolo
OC: Josh McDaniels
DC: Ken Flajole
B+: It will all be determined if the talented but mercantile Josh McDaniels can go back to being an OC. He has shown he knows how to build an offense. Sam Bradford fits McDaniel’s system of shot gun and spread offense like a glove. However, McDaniels is a tool and if he gets out of hand Spagnuolu must reel him in or release him. I think it will work but it bears watching. Flajole works hand in hand with Spagnuolu getting the most out of this defense.
QB: B
Sam Bradford has proven a lot of people wrong in a short amount of time: me included. In his rookie year,Bradfordplayed every snap and progressed very quickly to the pro game. It was feared his shoulder would not hold up and his college playing system would not prepare him for the pro game. Wrong on both accounts. He will make the Rams an every year contender.
RB: B-
I believe Steven Jackson has 1-2 years left. He has been a gladiator for this Ram team. He has been the only talent for many years and his body has taken a massive beating. You would think they would acquire better RB depth too spell him but they have not. He is vastly under rated but not under appreciated. I would shake his hand and tell him you are what football players should be like…or heroes for that matter.
WR/TE C
This team adheres to the testament that a player’s talent is not as important as the players fit to their system. Danario Alexander, Austin Pettis, and Greg Salas were not huge prospects but all came from spread offenses and posted huge numbers. McDaniels believes they will do so in his offense. Donnie Avery and Mark Clayton have talent but cannot stay healthy and might not be back. Lance Kendricks was a huge reach and I do not believe he will live up to his second round status.
OL: C+
The development of Rodger Saffold and Jason Smith is of the upmost importance. Rodger Saffold, a second round pick, has shown great consistency for a rookie. Jason Smith, second pick of the 2009 draft, has shown ability and inconsistency in his two years. Staying healthy would go a long ways in Smith’s development. Jason Brown is a rock at center but the problem this unit has is their OG. Jacob Bell is okay at LG but nothing special and they have just bodies at RG. Something must be done here.
DL: B
It looks like the sand is almost all gone in the hour glass on this unit??? Rams hopeJamesHall and Fred Robbins can hold on to their productivity for another year as their bodies are breaking down with age. I love the potential of Chris Long and Robert Quinn. Once they acquire some young DT talent than Spagnuolu can work some real magic.
LB: D
JamesLaurinaitis is a true field general. He is awesome in all phases of the game. Problem is the talent on his right and left is wanting. I will not even speak their names. The Rams need to replace both of them as soon as possible.
DB: C
I do not get why they dropped OJ Atogwe. At safety they have nothing. At CB they are rock solid. Ron Bartell might not be able to catch the football but he slows whoever he is faced off on right down. Bradley Fletcher might be a star in the making. Jerome Murphy will push both Bartell as well as both safeties for a spot. He has good speed and great size.
2011 NFL Draft:
Robert Quinn was a gift. The pick of Lance Kendricks was a complete miss…must have let McDaniels pick that one. Austin Pettis and George Salas were taken because of their familiarity with the spread. I did not like the fact that RB, OG, OLB, or safety was largely ignored. Quinn keeps this from a F. D+
Offensive/ Defensive Sleepers
Jason Smith has been labeled a bust by many and by the rest a quickly approaching bust grade. I am not here to say he will be what we thought he would be. However, I am here to say that if he stays healthy that he can be a rock solid RT for the Rams. He has great athletic ability and will eventually get used to playing at a larger size than he was at college. I also like his aggressive nature.
Jerome Murphy will at some point move to safety this year. I think the FS position will plague the Rams early and in turn will push Spagnuolu to give Murphy a chance. He will have his share of mistakes but will improve week to week. By years end he will be a physical FS who gets 3-4 interceptions.
2012 Season Prediction:
They have holes but look at the rest of this division. If the Cardinals stay put at QB than the Rams can win 7-8 games and win the division. I think they will get to the post season but not go past round 1. In time this team will push for the Super Bowl but not this year.