We are at the halfway point of the season with the St. Louis Rams sitting presently at 3-5.
In my opinion the Rams should be 5-3 or even 6-2. However, given the place where they are now as opposed to a season ago, this 3-5 record is an improvement.
The Rams, despite their five losses this season, have been in every single contest with the exception of the last game against the New England Patriots, in which the Rams got flattened. That’s all you can ask of a young rebuilding team is to be competitive every single week. But, at some point you want to start seeing victories instead of just being competitive.
The defense came out of the gate wreaking havoc on the opposition and forcing at least one turnover in the first five games. Led by free agent cornerback Courtland Finnegan, the addition of linebacker Jo-Lunn Dunbar plus mainstays James Laurinitas and Chris Long, the Rams played defense with the type of edge and intensity that might have brought a tear to the eye of Hall Of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones.
Rookie cornerback Janoris Jenkins had a great start to the season. However, teams are going after him, and it’s time for him to adjust to that and I think that he will. Jenkins has a lot of big play potential, the most potential from a rookie corner since Dre Bly.
Safety Craig Dahl is a liability and Quintin Mikell is not far behind. Bradley Fletcher has struggled as well, especially in the last couple of games. Rookie tackle Michael Brockers is coming around nice after starting the season with an ankle injury. And free agent pick up William Hayes has done a solid job on the Rams defensive line.
On offense, Sam Bradford is having a solid season if you are just looking at his numbers. However, the Rams continue to struggle in the red zone. And if the overall play of the offense was just a tad bit better, this team is for sure not 3-5. Steven Jackson and rookie running back Daryl Richardson look great in the backfield. And despite the constant shuffling of the offensive line they both average four yards a carry.
The receiving core is a mystery every single game. Once Danny Amendola went down, you had no clue who would step up. Rookie Chris Givens had flashed some big play potential in the absence of Amendola. Brandon Gibson has talent, but can be such a tease when he drops catchable balls. The tight ends are not much of a factor in the passing game.
Brian Schottenheimer has done okay calling plays this season so far, he just has to do a better job calling plays in the red zone. You still have Steven Jackson, and he’s still got some juice left in the tank, use it. Overall the Rams are better today than a year ago. However, can we say the same after the following eight games?
Stay tuned.
