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Myles SimmonsRams Insider
@MylesASimmons
http://www.chatsports.com/st-louis-rams/a/Rams-Begin-OTAs-on-Tuesday-1-11480036
The third phase of the Rams’ offseason program begins this week with three of the team’s 10 allotted organized team activities. As the team hits the field, here are a few storylines to keep in mind for the next few weeks.
What does the offense look like?
With a new coordinator in Frank Cignetti, a new starting quarterback in Nick Foles
, and first-round pickTodd Gurley in tow, the offense is bound to change somewhat when the Rams take the field against Seattle on Sept. 13.
But given that it’s only the first week of June, it’s unlikely that the team will reveal any of that strategy publicly. Still, it’s already clear from the offseason moves that there will probably be a heavy emphasis on the run. Drafting Gurley at No. 10 and subsequently selecting four road-grading offensive linemen is a good indication.
Head coach Jeff Fisher said during the offseason that bringing back unrestricted free agents wide receiverKenny Britt and tight endLance Kendricks was of particular importance in the offense’s evolution. Plus, Fisher has said plenty of times that one of the unit’s goals moving forward will be to utilize wide receiver Tavon Austin in space more often.
So there may be hints dropped here and there over the next few weeks and months, but the true substance of the offense won’t be known for a good while.
Can the defense take the next step in becoming elite?
Last year, the Rams posted the NFL’s first consecutive shutouts since the Cowboys did it in 2009, fully displaying the unit’s potential. With the same defensive coordinator and much of the same personnel heading into 2015, the defense’s next goal will be to maintain a level of consistency.
Having defensive coordinator Gregg Williams back for his second season will be a significant boon in that process. It’s important for any team to have continuity not only with its players, but also with its leadership. After four defensive coordinators in four years dating back to the previous coaching regime, the Rams having the same DC will eliminate the “getting to know you” phase that happens in the season’s first few weeks. That process manifested itself last year, in that after surrendering 30 points per game over their first seven contests, the Rams allowed just 16 points per game over the season’s final nine weeks.
That’s why it stands to reason St. Louis should have a much better chance at getting off to a fast start defensively.
Who’s going to start on the offensive line?
This is another question that likely won’t be answered for a while, but it will be interesting to see who starts to emerge. The Rams heavily invested in their offensive line during the draft, selecting four men --Rob Havenstein, Jamon Brown, Andrew Donnal, and Cody Wichmann -- who are each at least 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds. The team also brought in undrafted free agent Darrell Williams, who played left tackle at USF, signed unrestricted free agent Garrett Reynolds, and re-signed free agent Tim Barnes.
Currently the team has only two of its full-time starters from 2015 on the roster:Rodger Saffold and Greg Robinson. Barring any other roster moves, that means there are presumably three spots open to be claimed.
General manager Les Snead declared after selecting Havenstein that the Wisconsin product is “ready to play,” which would presumably put him in the mix for the right tackle spot. Fisher said that Brown best projects at guard in the pros, and he could be a candidate to start early as well.
But at center, don’t forget about Barrett Jones and Demetrius Rhaney. Having battled injuries for his first few seasons, Jones played in a reserve role last year, appearing in six games, mainly on special teams. A seventh-round pick in the 2014 Draft, Rhaney injured his knee prior to the start of the regular season and spend the rest of the year on IR.
How will the D-line play those five first-round picks?
The Rams’ defensive line already had four first-round picks starting on the unit with Chris Long,Robert Quinn Michael Brockers, and 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year Aaron Donald. The addition of free agent Nick Fairley
gives defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and D-line coach Mike Waufle an even more talented group to work with. And don’t forget about William Hayes,Eugene Sims, andEthan Westbrooks, each of whom contributed to the line’s efforts last year.
We already know that Williams and Waufle like to rotate their defensive linemen, which keeps the players fresh and able to make an impact at all times. That’s likely what will continue to happen this year. The addition of Fairley just gives the Rams another talented option to not only take up double teams in defending the run, but also provides a strong pass-rushing element up the middle. In his four seasons, Fairley tallied 13.5 sacks and five forced fumbles with the Lions.
@MylesASimmons
http://www.chatsports.com/st-louis-rams/a/Rams-Begin-OTAs-on-Tuesday-1-11480036
The third phase of the Rams’ offseason program begins this week with three of the team’s 10 allotted organized team activities. As the team hits the field, here are a few storylines to keep in mind for the next few weeks.
What does the offense look like?
With a new coordinator in Frank Cignetti, a new starting quarterback in Nick Foles
, and first-round pickTodd Gurley in tow, the offense is bound to change somewhat when the Rams take the field against Seattle on Sept. 13.But given that it’s only the first week of June, it’s unlikely that the team will reveal any of that strategy publicly. Still, it’s already clear from the offseason moves that there will probably be a heavy emphasis on the run. Drafting Gurley at No. 10 and subsequently selecting four road-grading offensive linemen is a good indication.
Head coach Jeff Fisher said during the offseason that bringing back unrestricted free agents wide receiverKenny Britt and tight endLance Kendricks was of particular importance in the offense’s evolution. Plus, Fisher has said plenty of times that one of the unit’s goals moving forward will be to utilize wide receiver Tavon Austin in space more often.
So there may be hints dropped here and there over the next few weeks and months, but the true substance of the offense won’t be known for a good while.
Can the defense take the next step in becoming elite?
Last year, the Rams posted the NFL’s first consecutive shutouts since the Cowboys did it in 2009, fully displaying the unit’s potential. With the same defensive coordinator and much of the same personnel heading into 2015, the defense’s next goal will be to maintain a level of consistency.
Having defensive coordinator Gregg Williams back for his second season will be a significant boon in that process. It’s important for any team to have continuity not only with its players, but also with its leadership. After four defensive coordinators in four years dating back to the previous coaching regime, the Rams having the same DC will eliminate the “getting to know you” phase that happens in the season’s first few weeks. That process manifested itself last year, in that after surrendering 30 points per game over their first seven contests, the Rams allowed just 16 points per game over the season’s final nine weeks.
That’s why it stands to reason St. Louis should have a much better chance at getting off to a fast start defensively.
Who’s going to start on the offensive line?
This is another question that likely won’t be answered for a while, but it will be interesting to see who starts to emerge. The Rams heavily invested in their offensive line during the draft, selecting four men --Rob Havenstein, Jamon Brown, Andrew Donnal, and Cody Wichmann -- who are each at least 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds. The team also brought in undrafted free agent Darrell Williams, who played left tackle at USF, signed unrestricted free agent Garrett Reynolds, and re-signed free agent Tim Barnes.
Currently the team has only two of its full-time starters from 2015 on the roster:Rodger Saffold and Greg Robinson. Barring any other roster moves, that means there are presumably three spots open to be claimed.
General manager Les Snead declared after selecting Havenstein that the Wisconsin product is “ready to play,” which would presumably put him in the mix for the right tackle spot. Fisher said that Brown best projects at guard in the pros, and he could be a candidate to start early as well.
But at center, don’t forget about Barrett Jones and Demetrius Rhaney. Having battled injuries for his first few seasons, Jones played in a reserve role last year, appearing in six games, mainly on special teams. A seventh-round pick in the 2014 Draft, Rhaney injured his knee prior to the start of the regular season and spend the rest of the year on IR.
How will the D-line play those five first-round picks?
The Rams’ defensive line already had four first-round picks starting on the unit with Chris Long,Robert Quinn Michael Brockers, and 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year Aaron Donald. The addition of free agent Nick Fairley
gives defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and D-line coach Mike Waufle an even more talented group to work with. And don’t forget about William Hayes,Eugene Sims, andEthan Westbrooks, each of whom contributed to the line’s efforts last year.
We already know that Williams and Waufle like to rotate their defensive linemen, which keeps the players fresh and able to make an impact at all times. That’s likely what will continue to happen this year. The addition of Fairley just gives the Rams another talented option to not only take up double teams in defending the run, but also provides a strong pass-rushing element up the middle. In his four seasons, Fairley tallied 13.5 sacks and five forced fumbles with the Lions.
