 |
| Image courtesy of turfshowtimes.com |
The Rams started out the new year with many needs, among them, the offensive line. Perhaps no other facet of the game needed to be addressed more than the big men protecting the Rams $50 million quaterback, Sam Bradford. Many fans, myself included, wanted to see a new direction; specifically the release of Jason Smith and the drafting of a blue chip left tackle.
In the months leading up to the draft, the fog cleared and Rams Nation realized that the team was not going to be able to draft our dream in Matt Kalil. Instead, the team was going to stick with who they had in the trenches, along with a few free agent acquisitions. It would be left up to the new coaching staff to turn the ship in a new direction. And boy let me tell you, have we got a few guys that might just be up to the task.
via a.espncdn.com
Maybe some of you are familiar with the work of David Heeb, from Bleacher Report, and others (including myself) are not. Regardless, he wrote this most recent article about the game-by-game predictions for 2012. I, for one, am optimistic, though skeptical. Others who think the 2012 squad can exceed 2010 results will be pleased to read what Heeb has to say. For a look at how the Rams make the playoffs (and the all important poll), click on the blue link below....
*If you know me you know there is going to be "strong" language in this. Read at your own risk.
SUPER LONG TITLE!
So I remember watching the draft and thought to myself "Are we going to get any offensive linemen soon?" Then we drafted Watkins and thought "That Ving Rhames looking mother fucker is going to be the entire offensive line?" Then I was ok with that. Why? Because we have Paul Boudreau as our offensive line coach. What's so good about him you may ask? Let me explain.
via img.fanbase.com
via via images.cheezburger.com
The St. Louis Rams organization went through a major overhaul this off season. Seizing the opportunity to bring in new talent, Rams owner Stan Kroenke went after the top coaching name available in Jeff Fisher. The big benefit of bringing in someone with Coach Fisher’s pedigree and experience is that you draw instant interest from professional coaches across the league, and you have coach Fisher’s circle of friends and long-time associates chomping at the bit to work with him. Read on to learn a little about our new Special Teams coaches.
Then head on over to Mocking the Draft and sign up. The NFL season is over three months from starting anyway, so I thought this would be a good/fun way to kill some time. If you're interested, sign up. There are still five spots available. Okay, technically there are six, but I'll be taking the last spot that's not taken by all the other competitors, so it's really five. Here's the link if you're interested:
All-Time NFL Mock Draft
The Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers approached the 2012 Draft with two different philosophies. The Eagles were intent and shoring up a defense that had faultered in 2011, and set about to reenergize that unit with a dedicated influx of talent from the draft. The 49ers, on the other hand, returns a solid defense from 2011 and sought to acquire offensive playmakers from the draft to surround Alex Smith. What I found interesting is what these two teams accomplished, and what the Rams were able to accomplish, in the 2011 Draft.
The Rams have added a new coaching staff and a new GM. The first draft under the new regime, has been completed. Offseason workouts have started with expectation and optimism. I do not know what the new look Rams will bring, but it looks promising. Some interesting names will be on the FA market in 2013. IMO; it is never to early for assessing players that could help the team. RB, OT, and LB are positions that have major potential free agent talent. After the jump, I will list a few 2013 free agents, that could matchup well with team need.
This Clap...
OR....
....a few symptoms of both, and most importantly the poll right about.......now
There have been many opinions given regarding this years draft outcome. The more that time passes it appears that Jeff Fisher and Les Snead have a long term plan in mind with regards to building the Rams. Before this years draft the Rams had five first round picks and three second round picks on the roster. This draft added another first rounder and three second rounders. The next three years will add five more first round picks and three second round picks. The roster will then have eleven first round picks and nine second round picks on it. Quite a leap in talent! In addition, this year they brought in the likes of Langford, Finnegan and Wells and what appears to be a decent UDFA class. This team could be scary good in three years!!
Jeff Fisher: I remember him on the sidelines during SB-34. And I remember fearing him, which is saying something because on our side of the field stood Dick Vermeil - a head coach that really knew what he was doing.
Anyway, Fisher was there, and I thought we would walk away with the game, but those Titans just kept fighting and fighting. Over the years, after the SB, I watched Fisher and his teams, and I learned to respect him greatly. In a way, I feel that the SB was one of a good Titan team against a great Ram team, and if we had NOT had Vermeil it would have gone the other way.
Fisher is a leader, calm, cool, calculating, a players coach, and a strong football mind.
