When the St. Louis Rams finished this past football season with a 7-8-1 record, Coach Jeff Fisher not only created a buzz, but raised the level of expectation for the franchise.
The Rams were 2-1-1 against two of the toughest teams in the NFC West in the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers. One of the things I wanted to see in the off season is if the Rams will be able to maintain and build on the success it had in the 2012 season.
Can the Rams be better without the services of three-time Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson or the shifty Danny Amendola? That’s a question that won’t get answered until the new season is under way. So far, in Fisher’s first full off season in St. Louis he replaced Amendola with a speedy pass catching tight end Jared Cook. Cook will give Sam Bradford another large target to throw the ball to, especially in the red zone where the Rams have struggled. When it comes to running back, I truly believe that Isaiah Pead will be given every chance to win the starting position vacated now with the departure of Steven Jackson.
Darryl Richardson did a fine job, but he slowed down towards the end of the season. His pass blocking was getting much better and he was catching the ball out of the backfield with confidence. The Rams also signed Jake Long to play left tackle. The deal was for four years and $36 million. Long had a lot of fans in a tizzy because he stayed in St. Louis for three days and passed his physical then left town. Then late last Sunday night on the scroll on ESPN it reads Jake Long signs with the Rams.
In a rare moment for myself I couldn’t blame the fans for feeling a little unsettled. If the Rams had failed to sign Jake Long or anyone else to play left tackle, this team desperate need for playmakers might of had to wait for a minute. The Rams might have had to take a pass on one of the most electric players in the draft in Tavon Austin at 16, in order to get a bookend tackle to protect Sam Bradford blindside and backside.
I don’t think the world would cease to exist should the Rams go with drafting someone other than a multi-purpose weapon like a Tavon Austin. I have faith in the head coach and general manager in assembling a competitive team.
I remember how the team was put together last season. Look at who was added during free agency and later the draft. Remember? Last year, the Rams signed Courtland Finnegan, William Hayes, Jo-Lunn Dunbar and then added rookies Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson to the secondary via the draft. All those players mentioned were key contributors, thus making it a little easier for general manager Les Snead and head coach Jeff Fisher to decide on personnel changes.
Some good things are happening now with the Rams. All I’d like to ask now since its only March is please board the bandwagon one at a time. I thank you in advance. Wouldn’t want the loyal fans to hurt themselves.
