2006 NFL Season Preview: St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams would like to put the tumultuous 2005 season behind them and move on. They do so by letting go Head Coach Mike Martz, who reportedly lost the interest and cooperation of the veterans of the team, and replace him with former Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan. Linehan has done much changing in the philosophy in St. Louis, but is earning rave reviews from the players, fellow staff members, and even the front office, which found itself in the middle of a feud with embattled former Coach Martz. We’ll have to see whether this new-look Rams offense, abandoning the “Greatest Show on Turf” and becoming more conventional, will be able to be successful and if the defense will rise to the occasion and play to their talent level.
Offense
Linehan has brought with him an ability to relate to the players and is quickly becoming popular amongst the players. He’s simplifying the gimmick offense that Martz installed as the Offensive Coordinator under Dick Vermeil and is looking to accomplish the task in a more conventional way: through running the football, controlling the time of possession, and limiting the turnovers. That last point is extremely important, as it seemed at times that the Rams didn’t care about turnovers and were consistently taking unnecessary chances in being super aggressive offensively. Although Linehan was known to work with a dynamic offense in Minnesota with cogs in place like Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss, Linehan’s approach as a Head Coach has been one of consistency on offense and less risk-taking. It will be left to see if this approach can succeed in St. Louis.
QB: Marc Bulger looks to rebound from an injury-plagued 2005 season and focus on the prospects of 2006. His right shoulder is completely healed and he has showed no signs during the OTAs and minicamps that there are any lingering effects. In order for the Rams to even have a chance to compete in the NFC West, they will need Bulger to be perfect and healthy. The offense will benefit from the conservative approach of Linehan, especially Bulger. Bulger, although a very proficient quarterback since taking over for Kurt Warner, has been known to have to take too many chances in the old offense, leading to his high interception totals. Bulger is a quarterback who has the timing of the NFL down cold and is able to hit his receivers in stride with accurate passes that rarely leave them reaching or vulnerable to defenders. He will be looked upon to be the leader of the offense, to command the respect of his teammates, and to predicate the transition of the Rams to a more basic offense. Bulger has been known to take chances as per the system, but we’ll have to see whether or not he can shake those habits and establish new, healthy passing habits. If he can, look for the Rams to have a say about what happens in the NFC West.
RB/FB: Someone must have sent Marshall Faulk some literature about his pension plan already, because he’s signed on to appear as a player analyst on the NFL Network, further adding credibility to the reports that are saying that his knee injuries are forcing him out of the game that he loves. You lose a dynamic running back, one of the most versatile guys in NFL history. Of course, he really wasn’t much of a factor for the Rams last season as the majority of the load began the hard transition from Faulk to third-year back Steven Jackson. Jackson, who admittedly didn’t alway see eye-to-eye with former Head Coach Martz, has already embraced the philosophies of new Coach Linehand. You have to believe a running back is going to like it when his coach says that they’ll be running the ball more. For his part Jackson is a straight-ahead runner with the speed to make slower defenders look foolish and strong enough to punish those who may try to arm tackle him or not square him when approaching him. Jackson can barrel into you and give you hell for trying to plug his running lane. Jackson is also very good out of the backfield, having caught 43 passes for over 300 yards. Jackson can run inside, outside, and catch out of the backfield. That makes him very useful to the new offense. Behind him for a break will be backup Tony Fisher, who had some success last season as well when coming in, as well as former Minnesota running back Moe Williams, who followed Linehan to St. Louis. They also have Mark Smith, a six-year NFL veteran who can block well and also contributes to special teams. He will prove to be valuable to the Rams in both aspects this season.
WR/TE: Issac Bruce still remains one of the best receivers in the NFL over the past 10 years. A crisp route runner, Bruce is also one of the NFL’s classiest guys. He’s an elusive guy who makes for a tough cover for most corners. Another quality that makes Issac Bruce so valuable to the Rams is his intelligence. He knows the routes to run, can break off option routes and make a good decision, and knows how to exploit defensive weaknesses. Some would say that his 36 reception season last year bodes for the end of his career, but I have to believe that he was just resting for the 2006 season, getting 100 percent healthy. It’s easy to be overlooked by other teams for that fact alone, but add to that his partner in the receiving corp. Torry Holt remains the picture of consistency for the wide receiver position. He’s the first receiver in NFL history to have six consecutive 1,300 yard seasons. 102 receptions marks the second time he passed the century mark for receptions in a season. Holt has incredible hands that will catch the vast majority of passes that make it near him. He’s got incredible speed and runs great routes. Most importantly, he and quarterback Marc Bulger have a great relationship, which allows for mutual trust within the offense. Shaun McDonald and Kevin Curtis are above average slot receivers and give them legitimate threats all over the field in 3 and 4 receiver sets. The Rams will field a rookie at tight end, and it’s looking to be Joe Klopfenstein from Colorado. He’s got soft hands and the ability to make split-second decisions with confidence. Deceptively quick for a tight end, he makes good adjustments to thrown balls and often makes impressive stretching catches. They also have Dominique Byrd from Southern Cal who also has soft hands and is a great blocker.
OL: The offensive line starts with their bookends at tackle, All-Pro Orlando Pace on the left side and Alex Barron on the right. Pace, who is entering his 11th season in the NFL, is one of the league’s elite. Many will argue the absolute best left tackle in all of football, which allowed the Rams to select him first overall when he was coming out of Ohio State. Very smooth and agile for his size, without sacrificing strength and grit. Meanwhile, Barron started 11 games as a rookie last season and quickly established his place on the line. Barron excels at pass blocking, although many would say he’s very underrated in run situations. Barron is very fast for a lineman and has agility that rivals some linebackers and skill players on his own team. The inside of the line is also solid, with guards Richie Incognito, who was excellent in college but spent his rookie season unable to play, and Ram mainstay Adam Zimmerman in there. Zimmerman has proven to be one of the best run-blocking guards in the NFL. He has the athleticism and ability to get out and pull as a lead blocker. He is working on a 173 game playing streak. Some consider center Andy McCollum to be the heart of the offensive line. He’s been a mainstay for the Rams as well, and is strong and able to make a lot of good reads on the line. Overall, a very talented unit that will make the running game transition easier.
Overall Grade: A-
Defense
The Rams have a familiar name to NFL circles taking over the defense. Jim Haslett, the former Head Coach of the New Orleans Saints the past 6 seasons, comes over to help Linehan with the defense. Haslett has experience in this role, serving as the Pittsburgh Defensive Coordinator for three seasons prior to taking the Saints job. Haslett was the leader of the Saints during the tough 2005 season and now has a chance to reinvent himself as a coordinator for the Rams. He will bring the ideals of toughness and discipline to the defense that was often the troublesome unit and not the focus that it should be against offenses like Seattle and Arizona in the NFC West.
DL: The defensive line still has very good talent. The Rams also made a big signing, bringing in Le’roi Glover to play alongside one of the best pass rushers in the league in Leonard Little. Glover brings a quality pedigree to the Rams, with six Pro-Bowl selections, including last season, to add to the line. Glover is savvy on the line and knows all the ins and outs of the game and the battles on the line. Little, meanwhile, has a desirable combination of speed and strength that most player personnel people would love to have on their teams. Little led the team with 9.5 sacks in 2005 and with the added presence of Glover could see even more opportunities for sacks and tackles. Little is so agile and changes direction with such little effort that he’s a matchup problem for bigger and smaller tackles alike. Jimmy Kennedy, meanwhile, will take up the other defensive tackle position. He’s a legitimate run stopper who can provide you with the cloggins force of bigger guys with his strength. He will command double teams at times and can occupy the focus of backs out of the backfield. Anthony Hargrove provides the Rams with another pure pass rusher on the other side. He’s got tremendous acceleration and can get on top of a quarterback quicker than most.
LB: The linebacking corp also gets a free agent of their own, Will Witherspoon from the Carolina Panthers. Witherspoon will take the inside position, leading the linebackers with the ability to move to either outside position if the need calls for it. Witherspoon has great reflexes and is very quick to the ball, something that the Rams have been lacking on defense in recent years. He is bookended by Pisa Tinoisamoa and Brandon Chillar. Dexter Coakley is also in the mix, probably part of a stronger rotation of backers. Tinoisamoa has a neverending motor. He will fight until he hears that whistle for every down, chase down players and never give up on a a play. he has led the team in tackles all three seasons he’s been with the team. Chillar, meanwhile, is an opposite type of player than Tinoisamoa. He’s very intelligent, using his knowledge of the game to be in the right position more often than not and will use the athleticism when needed. Can be super aggressive and run past plays, but will usually keep himself in proper check.
DB: All three tiers of the defense pick up proven veterans. The secondary gets vet Corey Chavous from Minnesota, an extremely intelligent safety who can be a leader and make calls from anywhere on the field. He’s excellent in run support but can cover very adequately. Chavous can be a ball hawk at times, with the ability to position himself perfectly and create turnovers for his team. Oshiomogho Atogwe will be at free safety in his second NFL season with the departure of Adam Archuleta. Otogwe is decent athlete, quick on his feet, who will probably be tested early by teams because of his inexperience. None of the corners stand out, but all are solid with only few holes. Their number one corner is probably Travis Fisher, a strong corner who can recover well. Can play well in run support for a defense and is good in man coverage. They get Fakhir Brown from the Saints, a strong tackler who plays well in zone coverages. They will be supported by both Tye Hill and Jeremetrius Butler.
Overall Grade: B-
Special Teams
K: Jeff Wilkins is one of the most consistent kickers in the league. With the Rams since 1997, Wilkins is automatic on PATs and could be considered as automatic most of the time in field goals. He has currently made 311 consecutive PATs. He’s also strong on kickoffs. Was 27 of 31 last season, including making 5 field goals of over 50 yards.
P: Matt Turk is a proven veteran who the Rams signed to compete for the starting job. Turk had been previously with Miami, who released him because of injury concerns. He spent most of last season on the sidelines after suffering a groin injury. Released in midseason by the Dolphins. Very good with directional punting and has above average hangtime. Will compete with Andy Groom, who has spend the previous 2 preseasons in training camps but has not stuck with a team.
Overall Grade: B+
Coaching Staff
First year Head Coach Scott Linehan gives the Rams a completely new look. He’ll bring a more conservative offense, but that isn’t saying much with Mike Martz’s wild schemes. What Linehan has accomplished is concrete. He led Gus Ferrotte to a respectable season last season while getting Daunte Culpepper a career high 39 touchdowns in 2004 with Minnesota. Linehan has the right personalities to lead the team with him, especially with former Head Coach Jim Haslett leading the defense. Greg Olson should give the offense an understanding of a quarterback’s thought process, allowing them to get in sync with Mark Bulger. They have the attention of the team, which is more than Mike Martz had in his final season in St. Louis. They will be strong and could contend in the NFC West provided they gel quickly.
Overall Grade: B+
Position Battles to Watch
LB: Dexter Coakley is a NFL veteran who is, as of right now, on the outside looking in with the acquisition of Will Witherspoon. But he will fight to get playing time and could supplant Brandon Chillar is Chillar struggles or they decide that Coakley will provide more veteran leadership for the team. Remember, Witherspoon can play all three linebacking positions, allowing for Coakley play either inside or outside.
P: Matt Turk is the overwhelming favorite, the NFL vet who has a ton of experience. Andy Groom has never stuck with a team through the regular season, having been with Washington’s camp last year and San Francisco’s the year before. Turk is stronger and incredibly more accurate, giving him a decisive edge.
Player to Watch
Steven Jackson, RB: This is a no-brainer, you’ll probably be watching him anyways, but it goes to say that his performance this season will be directly predicated by how the offense as a whole reacts to the changes that Linehan is making in the offense. Jackson will need to be a unquestioned number one, and this will be the year now that Marshall Faulk is in the studio and off the field.
Bold Predictions
Record: 7-9
Offensive MVP: Torry Holt
Defensive MVP: Pisa Tinoisamoa
