Nick Wagoner about talks 2014 schedule

  • To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.

RFIP

Guest
Strength of schedule: St. Louis Rams
By Nick Wagoner | ESPN.com

[espn.go.com]

At first glance, the St. Louis Rams' 2014 schedule appears to once again be one of the most difficult in the NFL. The 13 teams comprising their 2014 schedule combined for a .564 winning percentage in 2013, which makes for the potential to have the third-most difficult schedule in the league next season.

But using a preseason strength of schedule to predict future NFL success is often an exercise in futility. The NFL is a league of constant change and parity. So much is different from year to year that using the previous season's results to determine how difficult the next year's slate might be often yields results far removed from reality.

Every once in a while, though, things play out in a way that align with what the preseason SOS might indicate. The Rams proved as much in 2013. Before the season, St. Louis was projected to have the fourth-most difficult schedule in the NFL based on opponents' records from 2012. By the time the season was through, the Rams had played exactly the fourth toughest schedule in the league.

Normally, things don't play out that way, but it wouldn't be a surprise if the Rams' 2014 schedule again was one of the hardest in the league. If nothing else, the Rams play six games against Seattle, Arizona and San Francisco in the NFC West. Pending some major changes in the offseason, there's no reason to believe those teams will have much of a drop-off in 2014.

Beyond that, the Rams' schedule rotation in the AFC leads them to their western counterparts in that conference, which happens to house playoff teams Denver, Kansas City and San Diego.

The Rams have targeted 2014 as a possible breakthrough season, but if the schedule matches the preseason expectation again, it's going to be a difficult road to travel to return to the postseason for the first time in more than a decade.
 

-X-

Medium-sized Lebowski
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Messages
35,576
Name
The Dude
Nothing I read there indicates he's giving up. I posted earlier that the Rams already have the 3rd hardest schedule this year, and it's not that surprising considering the teams we have to play 6 times.
 

Boffo97

Still legal in 17 states!
Joined
Feb 10, 2014
Messages
5,278
Name
Dave
Saying it's difficult for them to reach the playoffs and "pretty much giving up on them" are two different things.

I admit it's difficult, as this division has gone from worst to best in the NFL in just 4 seasons. I'm optimistic though if the OL situation clears up and Stacy doesn't suffer sophomore slump. (Alluring alliteration!)
 

Thordaddy

Binding you with ancient logic
Joined
Apr 5, 2012
Messages
10,462
Name
Rich
I pretty much concluded the same thing about the schedule myself the other day,if we make the playoffs against that schedule we are gonna go deep into the playoffs.
 

Pancake

Hall of Fame
Joined
Aug 1, 2010
Messages
2,204
Name
Ernie
The Rams own division is what bumps up the difficulty level.

Look at it this way. If the Rams DO make the playoffs. They are good enough to take the whole thing.
 

RFIP

Guest
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6
Sorry but I'm not a fan. And I'm not going to agree with someone because he reads this or any board. I free with people I agree with.

Dude. Nick reads this board, and is a friend of the Organization. Nothing I read there indicates he's giving up. I posted earlier that the Rams already have the 3rd hardest schedule this year, and it's not that surprising considering the teams we have to play 6 times.
 

Boffo97

Still legal in 17 states!
Joined
Feb 10, 2014
Messages
5,278
Name
Dave
Sorry but I'm not a fan. And I'm not going to agree with someone because he reads this or any board. I free with people I agree with.
No one's saying you have to agree. But name calling just because he's pointing out that it's going to be difficult this year... yeah.
 

-X-

Medium-sized Lebowski
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Messages
35,576
Name
The Dude
Sorry but I'm not a fan. And I'm not going to agree with someone because he reads this or any board. I free with people I agree with.
You don't have to be a fan, but I think he can be afforded a little respect in light of what I said earlier. I can't remember a single time where he's thrown anyone in the Organization under the bus, and I've always found him to be pretty objective, all things considered.
 

-X-

Medium-sized Lebowski
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Messages
35,576
Name
The Dude
Yeah, I remember that. And really, all of that is subject to change after the first game of the season anyway. Lots of teams could fall off of their projected success, and there are always dark horse teams that come out of nowhere and make some noise. Tough schedule, weak schedule, you just have to beat the team you face and forget about all that other stuff.
 

Boffo97

Still legal in 17 states!
Joined
Feb 10, 2014
Messages
5,278
Name
Dave
Didn't the 1999 Rams' Strength of Schedule only become really bad in the 1999 season itself? Like other teams started tanking just as the Rams started rising?
 

tonyl711

Starter
Joined
Jul 22, 2013
Messages
863
we played the 4th hardest schedule last year with a bunch of rookie and second year players and a back up QB for half the season, and still won 7 games and it could have easily been 9. all those rookie and second year players have a years experience under their belts (playing against some of the leagues best), IMO playing the best teams will only make these guys better going forward.
 

jrry32

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Jan 14, 2013
Messages
29,790
Won't be easy but it never is.
 

blackbart

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Dec 29, 2010
Messages
6,212
Name
Tim
Has not been easy or fun for most of the last decade. Bring it on these guys are a couple of players and a healthy season from making some real noise
 

RFIP

Guest
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15
Well I'd edit the title to make everyone happy but for some reason I can't edit the post?
 

Selassie I

H. I. M.
Moderator
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
17,621
Name
Haole
Not for nothing,,, but it's getting to the point were teams regret and don't look forward to playing US. We're finally someone to be reckoned with again.

WE'RE GONNA MAKE THOSE BICHES PAY !
 

ReddingRam

Hall of Fame
Joined
Sep 7, 2011
Messages
2,459
Not for nothing,,, but it's getting to the point were teams regret and don't look forward to playing US. We're finally someone to be reckoned with again.

WE'RE GONNA MAKE THOSE BICHES PAY !
We ARE relevant again. Maybe not one of the favorites, but definitely a threat on any given Sunday. I really think all we need is a few breaks (stay healthy, players emerge on schedule) and we will be right in the thick of things. The breaks haven't gone our way lately... but we are still competitive!
 

A55VA6

Legend
Joined
Mar 9, 2013
Messages
8,208
Rams always have one of the hardest schedules. Really nothing new... but to be the best, you gotta beat the best. I don't want to play Cleveland and Jacksonville every week and be satisfied with making the playoffs
 

RhodyRams

well hung member
Rams On Demand Sponsor
SportsBook Bookie
Moderator
Joined
Dec 10, 2012
Messages
11,754
personally I would rather make the post season after a tough schedule and go deep into the playoff than cake walk thru the season and get knocked out in a wild card game