32 Teams in 32 Days: St Louis Rams

St Louis Rams 2011 Season Preview
by Will Soistman

Key Additions: Running backs Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood, Wide Receiver Mike Sims Walker, G Harvey Dahl, Defensive Tackles Justin Bannan and Daniel Muir, Linebackers Ben Leber Brady Poppinga Zach Diles and Larry Grant, CB Al Harris, and Safety Quintin Mikell.

Key Losses: S O.J. Atogwe, Wide Receivers Laurent Robinson and Mark Clayton.

The St Louis Rams are looking to improve upon a very surprising 2010 season led by Quarterback Sam Bradford and Running Back Steven Jackson. Although finishing below .500 at 7-9 the team looked great at times with a bunch of random cogs working together. Sam Bradford was throwing to guys named Denario Alexander, Danny Amendola, and Michael Hoomanawanui after early season injuries to Mark Clayton and Donnie Avery. With Donnie Avery coming back and the addition of Mike Sims Walker, Bradford has some new toys to play with at the Wide Receiver position, he didn't have one year ago.

Add Williams and Norwood to the Running Back mix, and now there is some explosiveness and depth behind the consistent, and consistently fragile, Steven Jackson. Other offensive additions include Wide Receivers Austin Pettis and Greg Salas and Tight End Lance Hendricks all of whom were acquired through the draft. Couple that with new Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels and there may be a "Greatest Show on Turf 2.0" coming to the Edward-Jones Dome.

On the defensive side of the ball the Rams are returning nearly every starter, aside from Pro Bowl Safety O.J. Atogwe, and added pass rusher Robert Quinn in the draft. With Chris Long and Robert Quinn coming off the edge in Steve Spagnuolo's pressure defense, look for the Rams to improve on their 43 sacks from a year ago.

The one problem that remains for the Rams is the Cornerback position. Ron Bartell did a decent but not spectacular job last year and Bradley Fletcher is a solid number 2 CB. However, the nickel back role has yet to be decided and Al Harris certainly won't fix that problem. If the Rams want to be contenders, they need to improve upon their 19th ranked Pass Defense, and they are trying to fix that by pressuring the Quarterback.

I really like the Rams this year. They showed up against good teams last year and have been very proactive in this offseason. If Sam Bradford can repeat or exceed what he did last year, avoiding the sophomore slump, I can see the Rams winning the NFC West.

Prediction: Rams 9-7 1st in NFC West.