By Eric Williams
The Rams were one of the busiest teams in the league this past offseason – and rightfully so. New head coach, Scott Linehan, inherits a team that has been in decline and transition since the days of “The Greatest Show on Turf.”
St. Louis spent approximately $100 million in free agency in an effort to upgrade their roster and get back to the level of excellence they displayed on a weekly basis a few years ago.
Linehan won’t necessarily be starting over with a bunch a rejects and castoffs, like some of the other first-year head coaches that will be making their head coaching debuts this season. The Rams have some talent to work with, but Linehan will have his work cut out for him, at least for a couple of seasons.
Here’s the skinny on the St. Louis Rams for 2006.
Quarterback
I don’t know what it is about Marc Bulger, but there is just something about him that screams, “Handle with care.”
Don’t get me wrong, when he’s healthy, Bulger is a more than capable quarterback. However, for such a young player, Bulger has been extremely fragile throughout his career and has had four shoulder injuries the past two seasons, which is about three too many. If Bulger should go down again, the Rams have secured the services of veteran, Gus Frerotte to backup him up, which was a wise acquisition to say the least.
Running Backs
Steven Jackson may be a fine running back, but if St. Louis fans think he’ll ever be another Marshall Faulk, they can think again.
Jackson may be a stronger runner, especially between the tackles, than Faulk ever was, but when it comes to Faulk’s overall versatility and ability to beat teams in a multitude of way, Jackson isn’t even in the same ballpark.
Jackson, could flourish this season, with Faulk gone and Linehan moving to more of a traditional offense than the pass-happy Mike Martz ever employed in St. Louis.
If Jackson gets injured, which is always a possibility, the Rams could be in some serious trouble.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
The Rams still have an explosive duo in Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, although Bruce is aging quickly now. Holt, however, is arguably the best wide receiver in the entire league.
The Rams also have two speedy youngsters in Kevin Curtis and Shaun McDonald, who will occupy the third and fourth receiving slots.
Linehan also drafted a tight end in consecutive rounds of this year’s draft in Joe Klopfenstein and Dominique Byrd.
Offensive Line
The Rams offensive line was totally atrocious last season, but then again, that’s what happens when you’re forced to start two rookies for much of the season.
The Rams however, will be better off for the crash course training that right tackle Alex Barron and left guard the Claude Terrell underwent last season. The Rams do have one Pro Bowler in left tackle, Orlando Pace, who made his seventh consecutive trip to the Pro Bow following last season. Center, Andy McCollum and right guard. Adam Timmerman, are nearing the ends of their respective careers as is free agent acquisition, Todd Steussie.
Defensive Line
Let’s see. The first word that comes to mind when I think about the Rams’ defensive line would probably be ‘appalling.’
Starting defensive ends, Leonard Little and Anthony Hargrove are mediocre at best and tackles, La’Roi Glover and Jimmy Kennedy, are in the same boat, although Glover is probably the best player on this unit.
Linebackers
The Rams linebackers aren’t much better than their defensive linemen. Veteran Will Witherspoon and youngster Pisa Tinoisamoa, most likely the team’s best linebacker, will start alongside of veteran Brad Chillar, but on the whole, this group needs to get better in a hurry.
Defensive Backs
The Rams secondary is also going to undergo some severe growing pains in 2006.
Strong safety, Adam Archuleta is gone and is being replaced by veteran, Corey Chavous, while another free agent, Fakhir Brown, will start at one of the cornerback positions along with Travis Fisher. Jerome Carter will apparently start at the other safety position for St. Louis to complete an extremely undistinguished and inexperienced group.
Special Teams
The Rams’ special teams play should be markedly improved from a year ago. Punter Matt Turk missed the entire 2005 season but offers solid veteran experience the team lacked last season.. Kicker, Jeff Wilkins is also very reliable and hit four field goals last season of over 50 yards last season.
Where the Rams’ problems could come unfortunately, are with their return men. Gone are the days of the Rams’ speedy return men whizzing past confused defenders. St. Louis may rely on a committee of return men until one separates himself from the others.
Coaching
Linehan made a smart move by hiring former New Orleans head coach Jim Haslett to take over as his defensive coordinator. Haslett was absolutely atrocious as a head coach, but the man knows how to build a defense.
If Linehan can coax this group to 8 wins this season that would be a fine accomplishment for any coach. Of all the first-year head coaches that will be making their debut in 2006, Linehan has inherited one of the teams (along with K.C. Chiefs head coach, Herman Edwards) with the best chances of rebounding back to respectability quickly – and the 2006 season, should be a preview of things to come.
