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Rams mailbag: Closer to contention?
By Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff Writer
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/18505/rams-mailbag-closer-to-contention
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Rams roster is mostly set for 2015, though some tweaks could still happen between now and September. So, are they closer to competing for an NFC West division crown?
That's one of the many topics on your mind this week.
Tyler Clark @DevilsPunch
USA Today puts Rams at #11. I know you're objective but never give the Rams a good shot. Why? Look at qb play past 2yrs.
@nwagoner: I can appreciate where you're coming from, but never give them a good shot? I don't really know what that means. If things break right, I think they can contend for a playoff spot. But things haven't broken right and they still have some serious questions to answer. I'd like to see them on the field in OTAs and, more importantly, training camp before rushing to judgment, and I reserve the right to change my post-schedule-release prediction until then. In the meantime, you're right that they should be improved at quarterback with Nick Foles instead of Shaun Hill or Austin Davis. But I'm not entirely sold on Foles yet and there are still major, major questions on the offensive line. And for as good as we all believe the defense can be -- and it could be very good -- that group needs to be more consistent and cut down on the game-changing mistakes. Using the past to predict the future in the NFL is often a fool's errand, but until we see otherwise, it's pretty hard to project this team taking the next step. Consistency comes first. If and when it does, buying in will be easy.
Justin Koski @koski_justin
As roster stands now, how well do you see the Rams competing against NFC west?
@nwagoner: I actually think the Rams are in position to make a bit of a move in the division. That isn't necessarily a function of what I expect them to do as much as other teams taking a step back, but I do think it's possible they could move from fourth to second in the division. I think San Francisco looks poised for a tumble. It's never good when you replace a successful coach with an unknown coach who is basically just the opposite of the one you had. Rams fans circa Mike Martz followed by Scott Linehan can attest to as much. Arizona should still contend, but I wonder what becomes of the defense without Todd Bowles calling the shots and whether Carson Palmer can stay healthy. The Rams can compete with the Seahawks on the field twice a year but need to be more consistent in other games to have a shot at winning the division. I don't think they're ready for that just yet. It's been a strange three years in the division for the Rams under Jeff Fisher. They were very good against the West in 2012, awful in 2013 and slightly below average last year. I expect something closer to 3-3 or even 4-2 against the West this time around.
Kelton Brooks @BrooksWeekly
What are the chances Stedman Bailly bumps Tavon Austin for playing time? Bailey is the better receiver.
@nwagoner: It's an excellent question and has plenty of validity. Stedman Bailey has certainly showed that he is capable of running solid routes, creating separation and making difficult, contested catches. Austin has not though neither player has much of sample size. One could make the argument that Bailey is the better bet strictly as a receiver. The hard part comes in when you weigh those things against Austin's ability to hit the home run and offer versatility. It's probably best to find a middle ground and get both of them on the field. But it's an interesting question, for sure.
Matthew Jauregui @Firecap30
Ethan Westbrook is he a DE or DT, if he can get bigger I believe has more potential as a rusher. How's his hand injury?
@nwagoner: Technically, he's a DE but he's actually sort of both. To my knowledge, he's healthy and ready to go. And this could be a big year for him. One way to look at him is as a sort of long-term replacement for William Hayes, who is a free agent after the season (not to say he won't be back). But if Westbrooks can continue to improve, there could be a spot for him in the rotation. That versatility would only help his cause.
lemon @lemonjii
If rams go for veteran free agent, what position/positional experience will be most beneficial (ex: vet center?)
@nwagoner: I still contend that a veteran guard like Justin Blalock almost makes too much sense and it would be silly for the Rams not to pursue him unless there were some health or financial factors preventing it. Not only because it would take some of the load off the rookie linemen but also because it would be very beneficial to the young tackles. Being able to plug a guy like Blalock at left guard would help Greg Robinson at left tackle and whoever plays center because of his experience. And it would allow Rodger Saffold to kick over to right guard where he played better than he did at left guard while also providing experience and help for likely starting right tackle Rob Havenstein.
By Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff Writer
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/18505/rams-mailbag-closer-to-contention
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Rams roster is mostly set for 2015, though some tweaks could still happen between now and September. So, are they closer to competing for an NFC West division crown?
That's one of the many topics on your mind this week.
Tyler Clark @DevilsPunch
USA Today puts Rams at #11. I know you're objective but never give the Rams a good shot. Why? Look at qb play past 2yrs.
@nwagoner: I can appreciate where you're coming from, but never give them a good shot? I don't really know what that means. If things break right, I think they can contend for a playoff spot. But things haven't broken right and they still have some serious questions to answer. I'd like to see them on the field in OTAs and, more importantly, training camp before rushing to judgment, and I reserve the right to change my post-schedule-release prediction until then. In the meantime, you're right that they should be improved at quarterback with Nick Foles instead of Shaun Hill or Austin Davis. But I'm not entirely sold on Foles yet and there are still major, major questions on the offensive line. And for as good as we all believe the defense can be -- and it could be very good -- that group needs to be more consistent and cut down on the game-changing mistakes. Using the past to predict the future in the NFL is often a fool's errand, but until we see otherwise, it's pretty hard to project this team taking the next step. Consistency comes first. If and when it does, buying in will be easy.
Justin Koski @koski_justin
As roster stands now, how well do you see the Rams competing against NFC west?
@nwagoner: I actually think the Rams are in position to make a bit of a move in the division. That isn't necessarily a function of what I expect them to do as much as other teams taking a step back, but I do think it's possible they could move from fourth to second in the division. I think San Francisco looks poised for a tumble. It's never good when you replace a successful coach with an unknown coach who is basically just the opposite of the one you had. Rams fans circa Mike Martz followed by Scott Linehan can attest to as much. Arizona should still contend, but I wonder what becomes of the defense without Todd Bowles calling the shots and whether Carson Palmer can stay healthy. The Rams can compete with the Seahawks on the field twice a year but need to be more consistent in other games to have a shot at winning the division. I don't think they're ready for that just yet. It's been a strange three years in the division for the Rams under Jeff Fisher. They were very good against the West in 2012, awful in 2013 and slightly below average last year. I expect something closer to 3-3 or even 4-2 against the West this time around.
Kelton Brooks @BrooksWeekly
What are the chances Stedman Bailly bumps Tavon Austin for playing time? Bailey is the better receiver.
@nwagoner: It's an excellent question and has plenty of validity. Stedman Bailey has certainly showed that he is capable of running solid routes, creating separation and making difficult, contested catches. Austin has not though neither player has much of sample size. One could make the argument that Bailey is the better bet strictly as a receiver. The hard part comes in when you weigh those things against Austin's ability to hit the home run and offer versatility. It's probably best to find a middle ground and get both of them on the field. But it's an interesting question, for sure.
Matthew Jauregui @Firecap30
Ethan Westbrook is he a DE or DT, if he can get bigger I believe has more potential as a rusher. How's his hand injury?
@nwagoner: Technically, he's a DE but he's actually sort of both. To my knowledge, he's healthy and ready to go. And this could be a big year for him. One way to look at him is as a sort of long-term replacement for William Hayes, who is a free agent after the season (not to say he won't be back). But if Westbrooks can continue to improve, there could be a spot for him in the rotation. That versatility would only help his cause.
lemon @lemonjii
If rams go for veteran free agent, what position/positional experience will be most beneficial (ex: vet center?)
@nwagoner: I still contend that a veteran guard like Justin Blalock almost makes too much sense and it would be silly for the Rams not to pursue him unless there were some health or financial factors preventing it. Not only because it would take some of the load off the rookie linemen but also because it would be very beneficial to the young tackles. Being able to plug a guy like Blalock at left guard would help Greg Robinson at left tackle and whoever plays center because of his experience. And it would allow Rodger Saffold to kick over to right guard where he played better than he did at left guard while also providing experience and help for likely starting right tackle Rob Havenstein.
