Los Angeles Rams: The Most Improved Team of 2017?
By Erik Lambert
The Los Angeles Rams are largely one of the forgotten team in the NFL right now. Not really a surprise after the latest ugly season they had in 2016.
Jeff Fisher and his coaching staff were replaced after several mediocre seasons. In comes Sean McVay, the youngest head coach in NFL history to see if he can breathe some new life into a stale organization. He hasn’t wasted time putting together a new and experienced staff while reassembling much of the roster. Of course his primary job is obvious enough. He’s tasked with turning Jared Goff into the franchise quarterback the team hoped for when drafting him.
To do that they need to improve his coaching but also the personnel around him. Word about whether this was accomplished or not really hasn’t been explored to great extent. However, NFL insider Field Yates told ESPN believes the Rams are more improved than people are caring to see.
"“This might come as a surprise, as the organization hasn’t had the splashiest offseason, but I’m a fan of the Los Angeles Rams’ offseason. Their No. 1 priority was finding a head coach who could help Jared Goff in his progression. They did just that by hiring Sean McVay, who assembled a terrific coaching staff on both sides of the ball. The Rams also bolstered the offensive line by signing left tackle Andrew Whitworth. Goff’s supporting cast is unquestionably stronger, as compared to his rookie season.”"
The Rams of course have a lot of proving to do. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2004 and haven’t posted a winning record since 2003. It’s been a long, painful drought for a team that once seemed on the cusp of a dynasty at the dawn of a new millennium. The coaching staff they’ve assembled has a nice mix of youth and experience. By all accounts their roster has talent in a number of areas. Whether this staff can get the most from them remains to be seen.