Apparently St. Louis Rams players and coaches really enjoy early vacations. How else are we supposed to rationalize the team’s disappointing 6-10 finish? The team has now managed to miss the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons, a paltry mark only eclipsed by the Buffalo Bills (15 years), Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns (12 years).
Once again at season’s end, fans, sportswriters and talking TV heads are trying to figure out where another failed team went wrong. A decade deep in the mire of mediocrity, no one in the franchise is insulated from the blame game. The owner, team executives, coaches, coordinators and players all played a part in the frustrating season that featured more downs than ups. The only consistent thing about this team was its inconsistency.
My fellow St. Louis American sports columnist compadre Palmer Alexander III is adept at breaking down schemes, dissecting the Xs and Os of the game and assigning blame in nearly every facet of the game. On the other hand, I’ll take the simple route – the obvious one. It’s the quarterback!
There’s a reason the Bills, Raiders and Browns and Rams haven’t tasted the postseason in over a decade. None have fielded an above average QB in years. Though Coach Jeff Fisher would have you believe otherwise, Sam Bradford is an average QB. If you look at his statistics, record and results, he’s pretty average across the board. The one area where he’s not average is his ability to stay healthy. Bradford has played just 49 of 80 games since being named the starting QB to begin his rookie season.
When Bradford has not been on the field, the Rams have been led by a host of guys who either lacked the chops to succeed in the NFL or were aging veterans whose glory days were well behind them. Shaun Hill, Austin Davis, Kellen Clemons, Kyle Boller, Keith Null and others have tried desperately, and unsuccessfully, to lead the team to victory. I’m certain that not a single opposing defensive coordinator, lost a wink of sleep worrying about any of those signal callers, Bradford included. It’s time to move on.
Let me put it this way, if the 2015 starting QB is currently on the Rams roster, recent history will be repeated. Identifying and drafting a QB of the future is essential, but if the Rams have any desire of finishing with more wins than losses for a change, they don’t have time to wait for a rookie to develop. General Manager Les Snead needs to find a new man under center for next season. Whether it is by trade, free agent signing or a grocery boy falling off a box truck and onto the Rams roster, something needs to happen.
Some may look at the dearth of accomplished free agent QBs expected to hit free agency and make the assumption that sticking with Bradford is better than signing another average Joe. After all, Brian Hoyer, Mark Sanchez and Jake Locker are currently the top free agent QBs. The NFL gets crazy during the offseason however and it’s likely we’ll see a few more starting quarterbacks hit the waiver wire before too long. If not, Jay Cutler, Robert Griffin III and Mike Glennon could be available via trade. It’s always been my dream to see former Mizzou star and current Kansas City Chiefs backup Chase Daniel behind center for the Rams, but that’s probably as unlikely as Stan Kroenke publically declaring his love for St. Louis.
The one bright side of having a bad team for so long has been the team’s ability to build up talent through the draft. The team has some very talented assets, including a fear-inducing defense, a talented backfield and an improving, young core of wide receivers. But there’s a reason why the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks are now perennial playoff contenders. They all have franchise quarterbacks. They’re not ‘franchise’ because the coach thinks they have what it takes. They’re ‘franchise’ because they go out on the football field and prove it, year in and year out.
Time for the Rams to go find a franchise guy. If one isn’t available, they should find the next best thing. At least an average new guy breeds hope. If the Rams don’t make a move at QB, the best hope for next season is a .500 record and another jump start on vacation dates. The only question is whether Bradford would be healthy enough to lead the way or whether his backup would be called in for extended duty once again. At New Year’s Resolution time, let’s home the Rams make the right decision.
Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @IshmaelSistrunk.
