Dilip Vishwanat - Getty Images
4 months ago: EARTH CITY, MO- JANUARY 17: (L TO R) St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke, new head coach Jeff Fisher and Executive Vice President of Football Operations & Chief Operating Officer Kevin Demoff take questions from the media during a press conference at the Russell Training Center on January 17, 2012 in Earth City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
The 2011 NFL regular season ended less than a month ago. It seems more like six months ago, but I could be caught up in the media cycle. And what a media cycle it's been. The St. Louis Rams tossed their former head coach and general manager, the two leaders who guided the direction of the franchise for the last three years, steering it to a 10-38 record over that span.
In the days before Steve Spagnuolo and Billy Devaney were fired, I can remember more than a few fans who did not want to see that happen. Since then, there seems to be considerable excitement about the decision to hire Jeff Fisher.
Fisher has a defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams recently of the Saints, and his search for the rest of his coaching staff as you read this. With that team in place, the Rams will turn their attention to finding a general manager. From there, it's free agency, the draft and getting ready to hit the ground running for the 2012 season. I didn't get the impression from coach Fisher's press conference that he expects 2012 to be a rebuilding year for the Rams. I hope not, after running this site through six rebuilding years, I'm a little tired of it.
With that, it seems like a good place to take the pulse of Rams Nation. How are you feeling about the moves so far? What do you expect the team to do in 2012? What about the draft and free agency? Let's hear it.
0 recs | 86 comments
Lookin' good
After the most boring and restless off-season I can remember in 2011, I am so looking forward to this exciting months to come.
Who will be the coaches of our new staff?
Who will complete the front-office hires?
Combines, campus work-outs, free agency, OTA’s, THE DRAFT.
Personally, I cannot wait to see how all of this unfolds and who will be our season opener for next year?
GO RAMS !!!!
RamHard - January 18, 2012
I voted so far so good.
Like the coaching hires (would like it more if we got hue over brian) but we still have the draft and FA left to go not to mention we need a GM.
RAMpage28 - January 18, 2012
I was one that wanted them to stay.
With that being said and from what’s happened in the last 6 years how can’t you be excited. We have no other way to go but up. Credible coach hire has to give you some hope that we could be at least be a flash in a pan lol. But with a good core of young talented players maybe it could become consistent for years.
markg1127 - January 18, 2012 via mobile
So far so good
I need to see something on the field. Also, I want see the stadium issue results come Feb.1st.
Da Rookie - January 18, 2012
I'm with you on the first part
Not too worried about the stadium stuff…well I’m just almost oblivious about it
sergey606 - January 18, 2012
And im just wondering
But why do I keep seeing these “4 pillars” comments. That left with Spags. I don’t think Fisher give a damn about what people do off the field as long as you do your job, i.e. pacman, young, Britt
markg1127 - January 18, 2012 via mobile
And it's that attitude....
Come on Mark G, we need to have some kind of order and accountability. I know we did 2-14, but do you really want to lessen the integrity of the organization by taking just any old player who runs fast but sells coke on the weekend? Maybe cool for you but not for me, 4 pillars all day, with maybe a smudge or two on them. Just a little…heheh ;-)
James Goldbleu - January 18, 2012
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want bad people on the team if it hurts the team. Im just saying the pillars left with the regime. So I don’t know why people are even bringing it up when talking about the draft or FA
markg1127 - January 18, 2012 via mobile
tru dat, very true
James Goldbleu - January 19, 2012
So if we don't cut smith
Will he be a backup? Or a guard?
Ram_Redemption - January 18, 2012 via mobile
paper weight
sergey606 - January 18, 2012
Keep him around for comic relief.
RAMpage28 - January 18, 2012
Every team needs a funny fat guy, especially if he thinks he's still on the team
“have you seen my staplah?”
sergey606 - January 18, 2012 via mobile
" Is your name Semi because you're the size of a huge Mack truck or because you're semi-retarded?"
Rando - January 18, 2012
Haha
sergey606 - January 18, 2012 via mobile
I believe you have my stapler
RAMpage28 - January 18, 2012
Jason if you didn't come in on Saturday that would be great. Also did you get the new covers on your TPS reports?
RAMpage28 - January 18, 2012
should've said TST reports
sergey606 - January 18, 2012
You can copy and paste wow
Rammon105 - January 18, 2012
... What?
RAMpage28 - January 18, 2012
You can copy and paste wow
me too
Eric Nagel - January 18, 2012 via mobile
All right let me try this copy and paste wow.
You can copy and paste wow
TAKE THAT!
RAMpage28 - January 18, 2012
I actually think Smith can be serviceable
But he needs coaching..alot of you fellow TSTers were saying if we Washburn as D-line coach from Philly we might also get Mudd (O-line coach)
I think Mudd can make him into a decent man!
EddieP - January 18, 2012
His whole problem is he just looks like he doesn't care
No intensity in his game. They need to really piss him off before each game. Or attach a battery to his nut sack
sergey606 - January 18, 2012 via mobile
i'll get the battery...
if you got the jumper cables.
Rando - January 18, 2012
yup, always in the trunk of my car, next to the dead hooker
sergey606 - January 18, 2012
Dude,
the only reason i let you borrow her was because you promised you’d dump her in the river as soon as you finished!
Rando - January 18, 2012
it's been in the negatives up here, she froze to my trunk!
sergey606 - January 18, 2012
you killed your mother ? lol
Rammon105 - January 18, 2012
The funny thing is everyone raved about his intensity. He was suppose to be a mauler. He’s got the athleticism but no drive.
markg1127 - January 18, 2012 via mobile
Breathless but cautious
I feel like we are off to a very good start. I think that we will win more than 2 games right off the bat, but I have to wait a little while longer to see how this staff pans out. Who will the RB’s coach be? Who will take care of our WR’s? Who the heck will be our OC? So I gotta wait and see although what I have seen so far is definitely fodder for excitement!
James Goldbleu - January 18, 2012
i may just be antsy but..
i hope we get an OC soon, so sam has a fighting chance of starting the season with a grasp of the playbook, the sooner (see what i did there?) the better.
Rando - January 18, 2012
I'm in wait & see mode
The hirings so far have been good but I gotta see how they motivate the players, see the results on the field
EddieP - January 18, 2012
I like Fisher,
But Im not too sure about the O.C. hire. I would have liked to see someone with a little more imagination come in shott is a pretty predictable guy, at least he was in N.Y. And Williams is a little blitz happy on the defense side, but since Fisher is a Defense guy he may help iron a little of that out.
disappointedramsfan - January 18, 2012
i'm hoping that
we can get a good DT and they can get good pressure without losing the protection of our LB (lord knows besides JL55, they need all the help they can)
Rando - January 18, 2012
Williams was blitz happy because he had to
His entire defensice roster is made up of left over salary the offence didnt use…blitzing the way he did forced qb’s to throw to shorter routes which left oposing offences more predictable. By the average fan his defence is underrated but if u look at it he did the best he could with what he had. And that is the best kind of coordinator, a guy who chamges his scheme by the talent he has.
Valley Ram - January 18, 2012
Should I be concerned Hue Jackson doesnt have a job with this org.?
DCRamFan - January 18, 2012
I saw where it said there would be aQB coach have any names popped up?
disappointedramsfan - January 18, 2012
it's between jamarcus russell
and ryan leaf…
Rando - January 18, 2012
Wow two huge names LOL
disappointedramsfan - January 18, 2012
on a serious not, idk
maybe i’m living in the past but… faulk for rb coach, warner for qb coach and holt for wr? …
Rando - January 18, 2012
Yes a GLORIOUS past
disappointedramsfan - January 18, 2012
'+ reply'
….hit it
DCRamFan - January 18, 2012
"-" life
try it.
Rando - January 18, 2012
...not quite sure I get that
am I supposed to subtract my life?
DCRamFan - January 18, 2012
Does that mean he wants you to kill yourself?
Bit extreme.
RAMpage28 - January 18, 2012
i was trying to be helpful
but I get the hint
DCRamFan - January 18, 2012
it was meant in good fun,
and it was also funnier before it was analyzed
Rando - January 18, 2012
poking fun DC
not making a comment on your post
LARams1968 - January 18, 2012
haha
no worries……….my ‘disappointed’ Rams comrade was entering new comments, when it was meant to be a reply. I tried to be gentle, maybe it came off the wrong way. My apologies to all offended
DCRamFan - January 18, 2012
by "disappointed" rams fan...
do you mean every fan who was around for the ’10 season and was excited about the ’11 season?
Rando - January 18, 2012
I was excited for the 1980 season and look how thats turned out
LARams1968 - January 18, 2012
I can't find any stinkin' "reply" button on my keyboard
LARams1968 - January 18, 2012
^ lmao.
Rando - January 18, 2012
ahh that was awesome
markg1127 - January 18, 2012 via mobile
My computer says press any key to continue...
Does anybody know where the ‘any’ key is?
x Nightwing x - January 18, 2012
it's right next to the F13 key.
Rando - January 18, 2012
Ah, found it!
x Nightwing x - January 18, 2012
hold down 'control'
then ‘alt,’ then ‘delete’………that’ll pull up Minesweeper, and you’re computer will be refreshed
DCRamFan - January 18, 2012
I assume once an offensive coordinator is hired, he will start to assemble his staff.
With that said, who are the most coveted O-Line coaches on the market for hire?
ramsrule - January 18, 2012
good question
I’m not sure how much control Hue is going to have over the O-line, but I’m guessing he’ll get it together by himself. I mean after all, he was going to run the entire Raiders organization this year
DCRamFan - January 18, 2012
Hue for OC, O-line coach, WR coach, and QB coach.
RAMpage28 - January 18, 2012
Make him D-line, linebacker, and db coach while you're at it.
We need to save money somewhere…
x Nightwing x - January 18, 2012
Justin King could double as WRs coach
LARams1968 - January 18, 2012
you might be on to something,
he’s pretty good at making WRs better than they really are…
Rando - January 18, 2012
Look what he did for Torrey Smith
LARams1968 - January 18, 2012
i think torrey smith has talent,
i think what is impressive is how he made flacco look like he has talent :)
Rando - January 18, 2012
QB coach too. Maybe we don't even need an OC.
LARams1968 - January 18, 2012
LOL
x Nightwing x - January 18, 2012
haha another one.
This is literally top five posts in TST history
markg1127 - January 18, 2012 via mobile
one man show, i like it.
ramsrule - January 18, 2012
in the next poll can you make sure to have mutually exclusive options
“so far so good” and “still in wait and see” both describe how I feel.
TheBirds - January 18, 2012
i voted so far so good
I feel real good about the hire of Fisher. Would be nice if the Rams could have gotten the 49ers DC. I’m not saying he was available, but he’s done a great job. The ravens dc would be good also. Hope Greg will do good. I’m just not impressed with N.O. defense.Waiting to see who the GM will be and how the draft and free agency goes.
rambro4ever - January 18, 2012
Boobs have increased on average in the last 15 years from a B cup to a C cup
God Bless America
RG31 - January 18, 2012
+1
Best stat iv read all day
Valley Ram - January 18, 2012
Manswers: The Source of All Greatness...
RG31 - January 18, 2012
Hey different size tits r the symbol of america
God bless diversity!
Ram_Redemption - January 18, 2012 via mobile
and they are puncture proof
LARams1968 - January 21, 2012
except the rest of the woman's body has increased from "average" to "fat ass"
so……
sergey606 - January 18, 2012
Don't be that guy haha
RG31 - January 18, 2012
thats because the average weight
is like 50 pounds more
Eric Nagel - January 18, 2012 via mobile
so far so good...
I like Fisher and Williams hires but i’m also in wait and see mode as far as the OC and GM roles go. I’d prefer Jackson over Schott.
For starters in FA if the Rams can resign Lloyd we’d be off to a decent start. If JAson Smith has any future on this team either at OG or as backup OT then they need to restructure Smith’s contract. Otherwise cutting him could be as good a FA move as the Rams make this offseason. They’d only be on the hook for $1m of Smith’s $10m salary if they cut him.
Trading down in the draft and gathering a few more picks might be harder than it sounds. I think other teams will realise the Rams are not in the running for RG3 and may play hardball over what they’re prepared to give up. Teams might even call the Rams bluff by doing a deal with the Vikings at #3. The Rams have to be prepared to stay put at #2. If the Rams can’t find a trade partner then I’m torn between Kalil and Blackmon as to who I’d like to see chosen. Ideally I’d like to see the Rams hit on a playmaking WR, a starting LT and a starting DT in the first 3 rounds. If the Rams come out of the draft with 3-4 long-term starters and another 2-3 solid depth guys then I’ll be happy
IrishRamsFan - January 19, 2012
I Agree
Nobody is going to trade for our #2 draft spot, knowing we do not heed a QB.
learning - January 19, 2012
Your logic isn't a very good one (and im being nice)
The browns may want to draft RG3. By your logic they can get him without trading. Also by your logic the rams would have drafted julio jones last draft. Did you know the vioings might be in the RG3 draft pool? So if any team but the vikings want him they must move ahead of the #3 spot the vikings have. Guess whose infront…and since the colts won suck-for-luck sweapstakes, guess who has the most leverage to trade with? And your logic might work if the vikings didnt want RG3, but Tjack isn’t exactly a franchise QB. Besides with all the other teams in the RG3 pool, someone who would rather trade with the vikings could easily we out of lu…i mean Griffin when a more willing team trades with the rams.
Valley Ram - January 19, 2012
I think there will certainly be teams interested in our #2 pick
As Valley Ram says the Vikings are probably interested in RG3 themselves. Teams that need a QB will want to jump ahead of them. What I mean is that teams know the Rams aren’t interested in RG3 and may try to use this as their own leverage in the deal.
If the Vikings are not interested in RG3 then the Rams have to be prepared to lose further leverage as teams may be able to do a deal for the #3 spot and force the Rams to either swallow a reduced value trade or stand pat and draft at #2
Atlanta gave up the farm to draft Julio Jones last year. While I certainly hope a similar deal can be done, I’m not completely sure that the Rams can expect the same return from this deal.
IrishRamsFan - January 20, 2012
I thought his nick name was " SHOT " !
is younger always better ?
VETT - January 19, 2012
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