St. Louis Rams
2010 record: 7-9
Last playoff appearance: 2004, 8-8, W27-20 SEA, L47-17 ATL
General Manager: Billy Devaney (2008-Current)
Head Coach: Steve Spagnolo (2009-Current; 8-24)
Offensive Coordinator: Josh McDaniels
Defensive Coordinator: Ken Flajole
Defensive alignment: 4-3
2010 NFL Rankings:
OFF: 18.1 PTS (26th); 302.9 YDS (26th); 204.2 PASS (21st); 98.6 RUSH (25th)
DEF: 20.5 PTS (12th); 336.8 YDS (19th); 223.6 PASS (19th); 113.1 RUSH (17th)
Eugene’s Outlook:
The Rams really aren’t in horrible shape from the lock out; many teams are scrambling to adjust to the cap. That said, they have a lot of work to do. Steven Jackson isn’t getting any younger and they need to get a back that complements him. The line needs some work to help Jackson and protect Sam Bradford as well. I’m expecting a big season out of Bradford; he looked good as a rookie and should cut down on the interceptions. The defense doesn’t look bad. Quintin Mikell should be a nice replacement for O.J. Otogwe. I’ll be curious to see how first rounder Robert Quinn plays; he hasn’t been on the field in over a year. Overall, this team is in a better place than last year, but they still have a lot of work to do to make the playoffs. The benefit they have is playing in the NFC West.
Projected Starters:
QB – Sam Bradford
RB – Steven Jackson
WR – camp battle: Danario Alexander/Mike Sims-Walker
WR – Danny Amendola
WR – Donnie Avery
TE – camp battle: Michael Hoomanawanui/Lance Kendricks
OT – Rodger Saffold
OT – Jason Smith
OG – Harvey Dahl
OG – camp battle: Drew Miller/Jacob Bell/Renardo Foster
C – Jason Brown
DE – Chris Long
DT – Fred Robbins
DT – Darell Scott
DE – Robert Quinn
LB – Na’il Diggs
LB – James Laurinaitis
LB – David Vobora
CB – Ron Bartell
CB – camp battle: Bradley Fletcher/Al Harris
K – Josh Brown
P – Donnie Jones
Fantasy Performers:
1. Sam Bradford, QB
2. Steven Jackson, RB
3. Josh Brown, K
4. Mike Sims-Walker, WR
5. Danny Amendola, WR
2011 Schedule:
Week 1 – Sep 11: vs Eagles
Week 2 – Sep 19: @ Giants
Week 3 – Sep 25: vs Ravens
Week 4 – Oct 02: vs Redskins
Week 5 – Oct 09: Bye
Week 6 – Oct 16: @ Packers
Week 7 – Oct 24: @ Cowboys
Week 8 – Oct 30: vs Saints
Week 9 – Nov 6: @ Cardinals
Week 10 – Nov 13: @ Browns
Week 11 – Nov 20: vs Seahawks
Week 12 – Nov 27: vs Cardinals
Week 13 – Dec 04: @ 49ers
Week 14 – Dec 12: @ Seahawks
Week 15 – Dec 15: vs Bengals
Week 16 – Dec 24: @ Steelers
Week 17 – Jan 01: vs 49ers
Free Agent Acquisitions:
Mike Sims-Walker WR – 1 yr, 3.7 million
Harvey Dahl OG (Falcons) – 4 yrs
Quinn Ojinnaka OT/G
Justin Bannan DT (Broncos) -
Dan Muir DT (Colts) – 1 yr, 1.85 million
Zac Diles LB (Texans) – 1 yr
Al Harris CB (Packers)
Quintin Mikell S (Eagles) – 4 yrs, 28 million
Free Agent Losses:
Mike Karney FB
Daniel Fells TE – Signed by Broncos
OJ Otogwe S – Signed by Redskins
Re-signed:
Trades:
Rams traded OG John Greco to Browns for undisclosed draft pick
2011 Draft Review:
Overall Draft Grade: B+
Picks in 2011 NFL Draft:
Rd 1, Pick 14: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina – Very good value here, although the suspension and benign brain tumor were causes for his fall. There haven’t been any problems with the tumor since it was discovered and he won’t have to worry about the NCAA keeping him off the field any more. I really think the Rams will have a monster coming off the edge across from Chris Long.
Grade: A+
Rated: 6
Rd 2, Pick 47: Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin– Kendricks is a nice playmaker and blocker, but he not quite on the level of where the Rams took him. DJ Williams and Luke Stocker I felt were more talented. Rams should’ve looked at other position at this slot. Stephen Paea would’ve been great or interior an interior lineman (Wisniewski, Ijalana, or Hudson).
Grade: C-
Rated: 103
Rd 3, Pick 78: Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State – The Rams address their biggest need here at wide receiver. Pettis doesn’t have the speed of his teammate Titus Young, but he’s got very reliable hands and route running.
Grade: B-
Rated: 117
Rd 4, Pick 112: Greg Salas, WR, Hawaii – Many people think Salas is a sleeper. This is a solid pick for the Rams and another solid, reliable pair of hands for Sam Bradford to work with.
Grade: B+
Rated: 124
Rd 5, Pick 158: Jermale Hines, DB, Ohio State – The Rams had a need at one safety, then OJ Otogwe left for the Washington Redskins.
Grade: A
Rated: 155
Rd 7, Pick 216: Mikail Baker, DB, Baylor – The Rams leave this draft without taking a running back to complement Steven Jackson. Got a medical hardship after major knee surgery in 2009. Ran a 4.3 at pro day.
Grade: C
Rated: NR
Rd 7, Pick 228: Jabara Williams, OLB, Stephen F. Austin – The Rams are in need of outside linebacker help.
Grade: B+
Rated: 249
Rd 7, Pick 229: Jonathan Nelson DB, Oklahoma – The Rams take plenty of risky picks here in the seventh. Honorable mention All-Big 12 his last two seasons, but only saw most of action his senior season.
Grade: C
Rated: NR
2010 Stat Leaders
Sam Bradford: 354-590 (60.0%), 3512 YDS, 6.0 YPA, 18 TD, 15 INT, 76.5 RTG
Steven Jackson: 330 ATT, 1241 YDS, 3.8 YPA, 42 LNG, 6 TD
Danny Amendola: 85 REC, 689 YDS, 8.1 YPC, 3 TD
Josh Brown: 33-39 (84.6%), 53 LNG
James Laurinaitis: 114 TCK
James Hall: 10.5 SCK
Bradley Fletcher: 4 INT
Off Season Storylines:
OC Pat Shurmur Leaves To Become Head Coach of Browns
Josh McDaniels Hired As New Offensive Coordinator
Sam Bradford Named Offensive Rookie of the Year