Last Entry

It has been fun writing for Planet Rams. Over the years it has been my pleasure to give my opinion on the St Louis Rams. Being a die hard fan for 40+ years, I have seen the good times and the bad. Lately, as Rams fans know, it has leaned towards the bad. I've seen this before. The Rams had the worst record for the whole decade of the 1990's before they won the Superbowl. If anything, I have learned that the NFL is cyclical. The old adage "what goes around, comes around" is true in the NFL. The Rams might be one of the worst teams in the NFL now, but they won't be that way for long.

I believe the coaching staff and management have them pointed in the right direction. A few "tweaks" here and there, and the Rams will be competitive again.

Here are my final thoughts on this, and unlike my previous writings, it will not be "defensive heavy". As you will see, it is all connected.

First, make a decision at QB. Bulger is not the answer anymore. I have always liked him as a QB, but the Rams made a big mistake by signing him to a long term contract. He is getting up in years and he is fragile. The reason he is fragile and has been injury prone, is the play of the offensive line. This needs to be addressed immediately in free agency or the draft. Another reason Bulger gets banged up, is his receiving corps. There's not enough experience in this area. Blown routes and miss-communication, lead to a lot of hits on your QB.

As Rams fans, we could all agree that Steven Jackson is a stud. With no threat of a passing game, this allows defenses to put 8 or 9 in the box to stop him. The hits and chances of injury will mount up and will take it's toll on Jackson. If the Rams don't address the QB situation, Jackson will age before his time.

The defense is another thing all together. Over the last few years there seems to be a lack of leadership. Maybe Laurinaitis will take on that role. Time will tell. The secondary needs a complete overhaul. The defensive line is average, the line backing corps. needs help. Saying all of this, if I was in a position to make decisions for the Rams, here is what I would do. I'd look at free agents for any veteran help, especially at the QB position, maybe even offer a trade for a respectable veteran QB.

In April, I would draft (not necessarily in this order, but the best available player) offensive linemen, wide receivers, defensive backs, & linebackers. That's all I would draft. No running backs, tight ends, defensive linemen (after the Rams draft Ndamukong Suh first pick of course), kickers or specialty players. That's it in a nutshell, seems pretty simple to me.

Since this is my final article, I would like to thank the great Rams fans that started and run Planet Rams. Also thanks to all the diehard Rams fans that read this. It has been an experience that I will never forget. So, for my last entry all I can say is GO RAMS!!!!!

"See you on the hit side" #21

You will be missed Randy!! Hate to see you leave us!

It's Christmas

As the Rams season winds down, Rams fans can start thinking of other happier things than this past season. We can reflect that this is the time to celebrate more meaningful things than a football game.

True to form, the Rams lost another one on Sunday. The Houston Texans beat the Rams in St. Louis 16-13. The Rams played it close though, and the Rams defense kept them in this game. The Rams defense held Houston to only 52 yards rushing for the game. One of their best performances of the year.

Texans QB Matt Shaub had his eighth straight 300+ passing game. The Rams allowed him to throw 367 yards. Wide receiver Andre Johnson ended up with 9 catches for 196 yards. Andre Johnson is one of the most underrated wide receivers in the league. This stat didn't surprise me at all. Again it was big plays that did the Rams in, but the Rams defense did show a 'bend but don't break" effort.

Houston had to rely on three field goals to beat the Rams. As strange as this may sound, Christmas came early for me. As this game unfolded, I reflected on how this really isn't as important compared to everything else going on in the world. Sure it's disheartening watching the Rams lose every week, but I believe in the Rams.

This time of year is all about belief and faith. I do believe the Rams got better as the year progressed. I do believe that the Rams management and coaching staff have them headed in the right direction. I do believe that the Rams will be better next year. I have to believe these things, because, after all, it's Christmas.

"See you on the hit side" #21

So Close Again

The Rams had another one slip away on Sunday. The Rams lost 17-9 in Chicago. I thought the Rams had a good chance to win this game, but again they fell short. it's not often that the Rams can hold any running back under 100 yards in a game.

On Sunday they held Matt Forte to 91 yards on 24 carries with just one touchdown. Good performance by the Rams defense against the run. What the Rams did defensively against the pass was even more impressive. The Bears quarterback Jay Cutler came to Chicago in the off season and was supposed to solve all their problems at that position. Cutler has not had a good year. He is one of the reasons I thought the Rams had a good shot at beating them.

The Rams defense almost proved me right. Cutler came out strong throwing for 131 yards and a touchdown in the first half. He has been turnover prone all year, so I wasn't worried about the second half. Even though he threw for 131 yards in the first half, he finished with 143 yards for the game. That is called shutting it down. Anytime you can hold a quarterback to 12 yards passing in a half, you've done a fantastic job.

With Steven Jackson hurting and the Rams offense still sputtering, they couldn't get in the end zone.

This was a great effort for the Rams to build on. The Rams play at the Tennessee Titans this Sunday. The only problem is that they will face the Titans running back Chris Johnson. He is on pace right now to break Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record. With Vince Young as their quarterback, they have played well lately. I don't think that game will be so close again.

"See you on the hit side" #21