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Rams fans are buzzing about the team’s offseason moves, particularly on offense. But given what’s transpired out West, have they merely been keeping pace with division powers San Francisco and Seattle?

The bandwagons are getting so crowded in those two NFL precincts, the entire West Coast might just tip over and fall into the Pacific Ocean. The 49ers and Seahawks engaged in a fascinating arms race that began with the start of the free agency/trading period in March.

You trade for Percy Harvin, Seattle? OK, we’ll sign Anquan Boldin in free agency.

And that was just the beginning. The 49ers bolstered their already formidable defense by adding former Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey in free agency.

The Seahawks countered by adding much-needed pass-rush help in defensive ends Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril in free agency.

And so it went. Amid all the early talk about Seattle and San Francisco, Rams coach Jeff Fisher was asked weeks before the draft if he paid attention to what the rest of NFC West was doing this offseason.

‘Yeah, you pay attention to it,” Fisher said.

But then, as if a little weary of hearing all the 49ers and Seahawks hype, Fisher added: “I’m thinking they’re paying attention to the moves we make as well. They’ve gotta play us too.”

The Rams went for quality over quantity in free agency, adding a pair of potential impact players in Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long and talented tight end Jared Cook. Not to be overlooked was the re-signing of super sub defensive end William Hayes.

Last week, the Rams added the top skill-position player in the draft in wide receiver/return man Tavon Austin and then doubled up on West Virginia wideouts by adding Stedman Bailey. Linebacker Alec Ogletree and safety T.J. McDonald are instant starters, and fifth-rounder Zac Stacy figures into the running back mix.

Will all of that be enough to close the gap on Super Bowl contenders San Francisco and Seattle? Or are the Rams merely treading water? By the way, don’t forget about Arizona, which has a legitimate NFL quarterback (Carson Palmer) for the first time since Kurt Warner.

With the draft gone, and most of the offseason wheeling and dealing finished, here’s a look at how the rest of West shapes up in what once again should be one of football’s toughest divisions:

SAN FRANCISCO

The 49ers are scary deep on offense. Boldin is a big reason why the ‘Niners didn’t hoist the Lombardi Trophy in February as one of Baltimore’s Super Bowl heroes. Now the savvy veteran joins Michael Crabtree to give the 49ers a pair of big, physical wideouts.

Promising Vance McDonald was drafted out of Rice to replace the underrated Delanie Walker in two tight-end sets with Pro Bowler Vernon Davis. The 49ers ran fewer three-wide receiver sets than anyone in the league a year ago, but that might be changing.

The early read in the Bay Area is that the 49ers are going to lean less on their running game and defense, and morph into a more aggressive, wide-open offense as quarterback Colin Kaepernick enters his first season as a full-time starter.

The read-option with Kaepernick will remain a staple, but coach Jim Harbaugh seems to have a lot of confidence in Kaepernick’s throwing ability, too. So in addition to Boldin and Crabtree, 2012 first-rounder A.J. Jenkins, veteran Mario Manningham and 2013 draft pick Quinton Patton all are in the mix for the No. 3 wide receiver role.

At running back, Frank Gore remains the lead dog, but behind him is talent stacked up like planes on a busy airport tarmac in Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James and now Marcus Lattimore.

There is some concern on defense, however. That unit didn’t look the same down the stretch following end Justin Smith’s triceps injury. The former Mizzou standout turns 34 in September and is entering the final year of his contract.

Despite the additions of Eric Reid (draft) and former Ram Craig Dahl (free agency), departed Pro Bowl safety Dashon Goldson will be tough to replace.

SEATTLE

The Seahawks ran the ball more than anyone in the NFL last season. But not unlike the 49ers, coach Pete Carroll is talking about being more balanced. That makes all the sense in the world given the addition of Harvin.

After all, the Seahawks didn’t trade for the dynamic mighty mite to use him as a blocker. Not unlike Rams rookie whiz Austin, Harvin will be an X-factor on offense. He’ll line up almost everywhere and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. The difference from Austin? Harvin has done it in the NFL; Austin hasn’t.

Harvin will get his touches, but the ball will be spread around to tight end Zach Miller, plus the improving Golden Taint and the revived Sidney Rice at wide receiver. If the Seahawks want to open the throttle, they have more options to do so.

The same holds true in the running game behind bell cow Marshawn Lynch, elusive quarterback Russell Wilson and even change-of-pace back Robert Turbin.

With the final selection of the second round, the ‘Hawks took big back Christine Michael, the type of one cut-and-go runner Carroll prefers.

A quick word about the defense. The No. 1 offseason priority on that side of the ball was improving the pass rush, and Avril and Bennett are proven veterans in that area.

ARIZONA

After a 4-0 start a year ago, horrendous quarterback play doomed the Big Red. No one will confuse Carson Palmer with Joe Montana, and he’s closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but the former No. 1 overall draft pick remains a respected passer.

Palmer’s presence should put a smile on the face of great receiver Larry Fitzgerald. He’s getting open as much as he ever, but hasn’t had anyone who could consistently get him the ball lately. Under new general manager Steve Keim, the Cardinals drafted speedy wideout Ryan Swope of Texas A&M. He joins a unit that includes the ascending Andre Roberts and the still-developing Michael Floyd (a first-round pick in 2012.)

The party line in Bidwill Country is that Arizona will go to more of a power running game under new coach Bruce Arians. Truth be told, Arians loves to throw the ball, throw it downfield, and take chances.

He wasn’t a dink-and-dunk guy last season in Indianapolis, and wasn’t as coordinator in Pittsburgh.

That means his quarterback will take some hits and that’s probably one of the reasons why nimble, mobile Jonathan Cooper was drafted at No. 7 overall rather than powerful Chance Warmack at guard.

Former Steeler Rashard Mendenhall is the new feature back; Stepfan Taylor (Stanford) and Andre Ellington (Clemson) were drafted to provide depth.

The biggest changes on defense came at safety with the release of fixture Adrian Wilson and the risky addition of Tyrann Mathieu in the draft.
 

ReddingRam

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Those teams have helped themselves for sure, but we are well on our way. There will have to be a little "suffering" from the youngsters mistakes early on, but we are going to be better off in the long run. These other teams have a lot of aging stars...... our's are just cracking out of their shells and flapping their new wings.

I'm not expecting a playoff run this yr, but as long as we stay competitive like last yr and show improvement every week, I am more than happy. Our time is coming.
 

-X-

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ReddingRam said:
Those teams have helped themselves for sure, but we are well on our way. There will have to be a little "suffering" from the youngsters mistakes early on, but we are going to be better off in the long run. These other teams have a lot of aging stars...... our's are just cracking out of their shells and flapping their new wings.

[hil]I'm not expecting a playoff run this yr[/hil], but as long as we stay competitive like last yr and show improvement every week, I am more than happy. Our time is coming.
I am.

You don't make a run up for a player like Austin unless you feel like you're only a couple of pieces away from contending.
That's just the way I look at it.
 

ReddingRam

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The Dude said:
ReddingRam said:
Those teams have helped themselves for sure, but we are well on our way. There will have to be a little "suffering" from the youngsters mistakes early on, but we are going to be better off in the long run. These other teams have a lot of aging stars...... our's are just cracking out of their shells and flapping their new wings.

[hil]I'm not expecting a playoff run this yr[/hil], but as long as we stay competitive like last yr and show improvement every week, I am more than happy. Our time is coming.
I am.

You don't make a run up for a player like Austin unless you feel like you're only a couple of pieces away from contending.
That's just the way I look at it.

Not saying they won't or can't ... just that it is a very young roster that still has to go through some growing pains. I expect them .... if not, then AWESOME!
 

-X-

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ReddingRam said:
The Dude said:
ReddingRam said:
Those teams have helped themselves for sure, but we are well on our way. There will have to be a little "suffering" from the youngsters mistakes early on, but we are going to be better off in the long run. These other teams have a lot of aging stars...... our's are just cracking out of their shells and flapping their new wings.

[hil]I'm not expecting a playoff run this yr[/hil], but as long as we stay competitive like last yr and show improvement every week, I am more than happy. Our time is coming.
I am.

You don't make a run up for a player like Austin unless you feel like you're only a couple of pieces away from contending.
That's just the way I look at it.

Not saying they won't or can't ... just that it is a very young roster that still has to go through some growing pains. I expect them .... if not, then AWESOME!
Oh for sure there will be some hiccups, and we might have to dumb down the offense a little for all the new additions. Thankfully, these guys don't need all of the route tree. Here's a 5 yard slant - go get me 55 yards. Wooohooooo.
 

EastRam

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I believe we can make a run at the playoffs this season.

It will be interesting this season with the changes on "O" for all NFC West teams.

Bradford more weapons to open up the O.
Harbaugh installing more O for Kap
Carroll installing more O for Wilson
Arians with a real QB installing his O.

Lots of changes in the West
 

-X-

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EastRam said:
I believe we can make a run at the playoffs this season.

It will be interesting this season with the changes on "O" for all NFC West teams.

Bradford more weapons to open up the O.
Harbaugh installing more O for Kap
Carroll installing more O for Wilson
Arians with a real QB installing his O.

Lots of changes in the West
We'll just show the NFC West our O face.

oface.jpg
 

LesBaker

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The Dude said:
EastRam said:
I believe we can make a run at the playoffs this season.

It will be interesting this season with the changes on "O" for all NFC West teams.

Bradford more weapons to open up the O.
Harbaugh installing more O for Kap
Carroll installing more O for Wilson
Arians with a real QB installing his O.

Lots of changes in the West
We'll just show the NFC West our O face.

oface.jpg

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHjlM5A1jME[/youtube]
 

LesBaker

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Well it usually takes 10 wins to make the playoffs as a wild card. I doubt if the Rams can manage to take the division but I'd love it if that happened. I'm not sure that 10 wins with the schedule we saw is possible. It could happen dont get me wrong but thats a really tall task.
 

lockdnram21

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It all depends if sam can gain chemistry with his receivers. They also have to have a decent running game
 

EastRam

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LesBaker said:
Well it usually takes 10 wins to make the playoffs as a wild card. I doubt if the Rams can manage to take the division but I'd love it if that happened. I'm not sure that 10 wins with the schedule we saw is possible. It could happen dont get me wrong but thats a really tall task.

Well we all know we can win 10 and the Division with our D.

The question is can, we win 10 with our O?
 

-X-

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LesBaker said:
Well it usually takes 10 wins to make the playoffs as a wild card. I doubt if the Rams can manage to take the division but I'd love it if that happened. I'm not sure that 10 wins with the schedule we saw is possible. It could happen dont get me wrong but thats a really tall task.
jX3KwRF.jpg
 

EastRam

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The Dude said:
LesBaker said:
Well it usually takes 10 wins to make the playoffs as a wild card. I doubt if the Rams can manage to take the division but I'd love it if that happened. I'm not sure that 10 wins with the schedule we saw is possible. It could happen dont get me wrong but thats a really tall task.
jX3KwRF.jpg

:what: You have like one of these for all your pics. :omg:

tIqqRpc.jpg
 

RamBall

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Why do all the talking heads say the Rams are tryin to catch up with the whiners and shecocks? If my memory is accurate every team in the NFC west except the Rams had at least 2 loses in division. If anything the Rams are workin on pulling away from the pack and sweepin the division.

When the Rams can get a 14 point lead you will see opponents panic to keep pace and that will play right into Fishers hand and he can unleash the leagues top pass rush. Cant wait to see CL and RQ meet at the QB.
 

-X-

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RamBall said:
Why do all the talking heads say the Rams are tryin to catch up with the whiners and shecocks? If my memory is accurate every team in the NFC west except the Rams had at least 2 loses in division. If anything the Rams are workin on pulling away from the pack and sweepin the division.

When the Rams can get a 14 point lead you will see opponents panic to keep pace and that will play right into Fishers hand and he can unleash the leagues top pass rush. Cant wait to see CL and RQ meet at the QB.
Well, they both did have kind of a head start on the rebuilding process (over the Rams), and neither team had just a completely devastating 2011 season in terms of injuries. Nor did either team have to change up their entire staff last year and dump half of their team & replenish. So in that sense, they were already ahead of us. They also had pretty decent FA periods, and decent drafts.

What you say is correct, however. Neither team got over on the Rams last year. They improve, we improve. They sign guys to fit their scheme, we sign guys to fit our scheme. They get some playmakers in the draft, we get playmakers in the draft. If all of us keep pace with each other in terms of improving our respective teams, then it's all going to come down to a matter of coaching. This coaching staff pwns every other coaching staff in the division, so they're going to have to do a little more if they want to create any separation from this team.

Now Fisher just needs to get this team prepared to win on the road (and execute better on the road), as well as figure out a way to beat the shit out of Belichick, should they ever face each other again. He's just got an embarrassing W/L record against that douchebag. Including last year's London debacle, the Fakriots have put up 45 (2012), 59 (2009), 40 (2006), 17 (2004), 38 (2003), 7 (2002), and 27(1998) while going 6-1 against Fisher. Hopefully he's got Harbaugh and Carroll's numbers for the foreseeable future to make up for that.
 

CGI_Ram

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I expect us to compete. Hell... We could win it all.

At the same time, I see the challenge of our division.

I expect big things, but I expect big competition.

At the end of the day... One game at a time. Who knows where this goes.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
 

A55VA6

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This team is built to win. Tough defense that will not allow alot of points to be scored... Now we're building an offense capable of scoring alot of points.

That mixture is exactly what you want.
 

jap

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A55VA6 said:
This team is built to win. Tough defense that will not allow alot of points to be scored... Now we're building an offense capable of scoring alot of points.

That mixture is exactly what you want.

Don't forget the special teams! Kicker with a turbo leg, strong punter who doubles as a Sam I Am-wannabe in his spare time, and now Mr. Excitement himself, Tavon Austin, as our PR/KR specialist.
 

…..

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Not sure we can automaticly assume TJ McDonald is a starter.

Of course, he'd have to play if we dont get some vet help in.