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Ten questions for Rams' season are revisted
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_3133c2c8-29f7-5f12-bbd5-16927c0df3d7.html
As the Rams move to game-week mode for the season opener, against Seattle, we reexamine 10 questions facing the Rams as they embark on the season:
1. IS FOLES THE ANSWER?
Apparently so. The Rams felt so strongly about Foles they signed him to a $24.5 million contract extension that could keep him around through the 2017 season. And they did so before he’d thrown even a preseason pass. Foles has gotten progressively better on the field, first through the offseason practices, then camp and then the preseason. His arm looks stronger now than it did in June. In terms of leadership and presence, he seems to have made a quick connection with teammates. But even Rams coaches would concede some unknowns remain as Foles continues to learn the offense.
2. WILL YOUTH BE SERVED ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE?
More than we even anticipated at the start of camp. The Rams will indeed start rookies Jamon Brown (left guard) and Rob Havenstein (right tackle) on opening day. Brown was switched very late in camp from right guard to left. And with Barrett Jones released, it’s either Tim Barnes (four NFL starts) or Demetrius Rhaney (zero NFL games) at center. All told the Rams have five rookies among the 10 offensive linemen on the roster. Only Rodger Saffold, Garrett Reynolds, Greg Robinson and Barnes have played in an NFL regular-season game.
3. WHEN IS IT ‘TODD’S TIME?’
It won’t be noon Sunday against the Seahawks. Coach Jeff Fisher already has ruled out Todd Gurley for the season opener. He will remove his yellow no-contact beanie when the team returns to the practice field the following Tuesday, meaning he will have no restrictions as he completes the final stages of his return from knee surgery. But it figures to take the rookie running back from Georgia a few weeks to really get into football shape. If we had to hazard a guess on Gurley’s debut game, maybe Game 3 (vs. Pittsburgh) — but more likely Game 4 (on Oct. 4, at Arizona).
4. WHAT WILL CIGNETTI DO?
Hopefully more touchdowns than we saw in the preseason. The Rams scored only 48 points in exhibition play, tying Dallas for the league low. The offense scored only five TDs. In what has become typical for a Fisher team, the Rams didn’t show much under Frank Cignetti, their new offensive coordinator. Will the man known as “Cigs” stick with the run? Will he try more razzle-dazzle and trick plays than predecessor Brian Schottenheimer? Will he make a more concerted effort to get the ball to Tavon Austin? This, and much more, remains to be seen.
5. IS THERE ENOUGH AT WIDE RECEIVER?
Should be. No one’s saying the Rams have anything resembling a true No. 1 receiver. And no one’s saying they have an elite unit. But they have enough talent, and now have enough seasoning to get the job done. Now recovered and back from shoulder surgery, it looks as if Brian Quick will start slowly. He participated in only 30 preseason plays, appearing in the final two exhibition games without catching a pass. Austin flashed his big-play potential on a couple of occasions. A resurgent Chris Givens might have been the team’s offensive MVP for the preseason.
6. CAN THE DEFENSE DOMINATE?
It was a blow losing E.J. Gaines (foot injury) for the season. He was the team’s most consistent cornerback a year ago, as a rookie. Without Gaines it’s all about the 3Js at corner — Janoris Jenkins, Trumaine Johnson and Lamarcus Joyner. Joyner in particular must step up his play at nickel back. Overall, the starting defense was just so-so in the preseason, although it didn’t give up a lot of points. You have the feeling, though, that the unit will turn it up for the season opener; the players have talked a lot about getting off to a quicker start this year, particularly against the run.
7. HOW ABOUT WINNING IN SEPTEMBER FOR A CHANGE?
Although the first-team offense looked better late in the preseason, there wasn’t a lot that was seen to give hope that this unit can get out of the gate quickly. If that’s indeed the case, then it’s up to defense and special teams to reverse the trend of slow starts under Fisher. The Rams have started 3-5 in all three seasons under Fisher and started 1-3 the past two seasons. The opening schedule isn’t conducive to a fast start, either, with four of the first five contests against 2014 playoff teams. And three of those first five contests take place on the road.
8. FISHER’S FUTURE IN DOUBT?
They always say there’s two things you don’t want to do in the preseason — go 4-0 or 0-4. Well, the Rams did the latter, going winless in exhibition play for only the second time in 21 years in St. Louis. Sometimes what happens in August has no bearing whatsoever on the regular season. Sometimes it does. Although another losing regular season would be a fourth consecutive one for Fisher, the vibe at Rams Park doesn’t seem to be one of a head coach in trouble. Perhaps owner Stan Kroenke wants to tap Fisher’s experience in relocating a franchise.
9. WHO STAYS? WHO GOES?
With about a dozen players scheduled for unrestricted free agency after this season, including several starters, the Rams have talked to many about new contracts. But so far only Foles has been signed to a new deal. Even so, it wouldn’t be surprising to see another player or two re-signed either before Sunday’s opener or early in the season. The Rams have salary cap room. They were $4.6 million under the cap after the Foles deal and gained more room with the release of quarterback Austin Davis ($1.55 million cap count) and linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar ($1.35 million).
10. CALIFORNIA DREAMING?
For “St. Louis” Rams fans — including Joe Buck — Kroenke’s two-day pep rally in Oxnard, Calif., was difficult to watch. During a nationally televised training camp practice at Rams Park, the team tightened its sign policy for fans. The same thing appears to be taking place in the Edward Jones Dome. Attendance was down sharply for exhibition games, and if the trend continues in the regular season it could mute any home-field advantage for the Rams and in the process aid Silent Stan’s plan to move the team to Los Angeles after this season.
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_3133c2c8-29f7-5f12-bbd5-16927c0df3d7.html
As the Rams move to game-week mode for the season opener, against Seattle, we reexamine 10 questions facing the Rams as they embark on the season:
1. IS FOLES THE ANSWER?
Apparently so. The Rams felt so strongly about Foles they signed him to a $24.5 million contract extension that could keep him around through the 2017 season. And they did so before he’d thrown even a preseason pass. Foles has gotten progressively better on the field, first through the offseason practices, then camp and then the preseason. His arm looks stronger now than it did in June. In terms of leadership and presence, he seems to have made a quick connection with teammates. But even Rams coaches would concede some unknowns remain as Foles continues to learn the offense.
2. WILL YOUTH BE SERVED ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE?
More than we even anticipated at the start of camp. The Rams will indeed start rookies Jamon Brown (left guard) and Rob Havenstein (right tackle) on opening day. Brown was switched very late in camp from right guard to left. And with Barrett Jones released, it’s either Tim Barnes (four NFL starts) or Demetrius Rhaney (zero NFL games) at center. All told the Rams have five rookies among the 10 offensive linemen on the roster. Only Rodger Saffold, Garrett Reynolds, Greg Robinson and Barnes have played in an NFL regular-season game.
3. WHEN IS IT ‘TODD’S TIME?’
It won’t be noon Sunday against the Seahawks. Coach Jeff Fisher already has ruled out Todd Gurley for the season opener. He will remove his yellow no-contact beanie when the team returns to the practice field the following Tuesday, meaning he will have no restrictions as he completes the final stages of his return from knee surgery. But it figures to take the rookie running back from Georgia a few weeks to really get into football shape. If we had to hazard a guess on Gurley’s debut game, maybe Game 3 (vs. Pittsburgh) — but more likely Game 4 (on Oct. 4, at Arizona).
4. WHAT WILL CIGNETTI DO?
Hopefully more touchdowns than we saw in the preseason. The Rams scored only 48 points in exhibition play, tying Dallas for the league low. The offense scored only five TDs. In what has become typical for a Fisher team, the Rams didn’t show much under Frank Cignetti, their new offensive coordinator. Will the man known as “Cigs” stick with the run? Will he try more razzle-dazzle and trick plays than predecessor Brian Schottenheimer? Will he make a more concerted effort to get the ball to Tavon Austin? This, and much more, remains to be seen.
5. IS THERE ENOUGH AT WIDE RECEIVER?
Should be. No one’s saying the Rams have anything resembling a true No. 1 receiver. And no one’s saying they have an elite unit. But they have enough talent, and now have enough seasoning to get the job done. Now recovered and back from shoulder surgery, it looks as if Brian Quick will start slowly. He participated in only 30 preseason plays, appearing in the final two exhibition games without catching a pass. Austin flashed his big-play potential on a couple of occasions. A resurgent Chris Givens might have been the team’s offensive MVP for the preseason.
6. CAN THE DEFENSE DOMINATE?
It was a blow losing E.J. Gaines (foot injury) for the season. He was the team’s most consistent cornerback a year ago, as a rookie. Without Gaines it’s all about the 3Js at corner — Janoris Jenkins, Trumaine Johnson and Lamarcus Joyner. Joyner in particular must step up his play at nickel back. Overall, the starting defense was just so-so in the preseason, although it didn’t give up a lot of points. You have the feeling, though, that the unit will turn it up for the season opener; the players have talked a lot about getting off to a quicker start this year, particularly against the run.
7. HOW ABOUT WINNING IN SEPTEMBER FOR A CHANGE?
Although the first-team offense looked better late in the preseason, there wasn’t a lot that was seen to give hope that this unit can get out of the gate quickly. If that’s indeed the case, then it’s up to defense and special teams to reverse the trend of slow starts under Fisher. The Rams have started 3-5 in all three seasons under Fisher and started 1-3 the past two seasons. The opening schedule isn’t conducive to a fast start, either, with four of the first five contests against 2014 playoff teams. And three of those first five contests take place on the road.
8. FISHER’S FUTURE IN DOUBT?
They always say there’s two things you don’t want to do in the preseason — go 4-0 or 0-4. Well, the Rams did the latter, going winless in exhibition play for only the second time in 21 years in St. Louis. Sometimes what happens in August has no bearing whatsoever on the regular season. Sometimes it does. Although another losing regular season would be a fourth consecutive one for Fisher, the vibe at Rams Park doesn’t seem to be one of a head coach in trouble. Perhaps owner Stan Kroenke wants to tap Fisher’s experience in relocating a franchise.
9. WHO STAYS? WHO GOES?
With about a dozen players scheduled for unrestricted free agency after this season, including several starters, the Rams have talked to many about new contracts. But so far only Foles has been signed to a new deal. Even so, it wouldn’t be surprising to see another player or two re-signed either before Sunday’s opener or early in the season. The Rams have salary cap room. They were $4.6 million under the cap after the Foles deal and gained more room with the release of quarterback Austin Davis ($1.55 million cap count) and linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar ($1.35 million).
10. CALIFORNIA DREAMING?
For “St. Louis” Rams fans — including Joe Buck — Kroenke’s two-day pep rally in Oxnard, Calif., was difficult to watch. During a nationally televised training camp practice at Rams Park, the team tightened its sign policy for fans. The same thing appears to be taking place in the Edward Jones Dome. Attendance was down sharply for exhibition games, and if the trend continues in the regular season it could mute any home-field advantage for the Rams and in the process aid Silent Stan’s plan to move the team to Los Angeles after this season.