(Shane Gray provides special Rams commentaries on 101sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ShaneGmoSTLRams).
Last season, the St. Louis Rams vaulted all the way to No. 14 in points relinquished, up a noteworthy 12 spots from No. 26 in 2011. Impressively, the Rams did so under less than ideal circumstances.
For one, St. Louis opened the year with their would-have-been defensive coordinator – Gregg Williams – suspended indefinitely. This left the play-calling duties primarily on the plate of son Blake Williams, who was far less experienced in that role than his father.
Secondly, even if the elder Williams had been in place, this was a different defense than the one utilized by former head coach Steve Spagnuolo. There were going to be adjustments and growing pains regardless of who was calling the shots.
Thirdly, the Rams plugged in six new starters – two rookies and four free-agent additions – at defensive tackle, outside linebacker and cornerback, respectively.
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.101sports.com/2013/04/24/rams-draft-defense-can-dominate-with-two-key-additions/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.101sports.com/2013/04/24/ram ... additions/</a>
Last season, the St. Louis Rams vaulted all the way to No. 14 in points relinquished, up a noteworthy 12 spots from No. 26 in 2011. Impressively, the Rams did so under less than ideal circumstances.
For one, St. Louis opened the year with their would-have-been defensive coordinator – Gregg Williams – suspended indefinitely. This left the play-calling duties primarily on the plate of son Blake Williams, who was far less experienced in that role than his father.
Secondly, even if the elder Williams had been in place, this was a different defense than the one utilized by former head coach Steve Spagnuolo. There were going to be adjustments and growing pains regardless of who was calling the shots.
Thirdly, the Rams plugged in six new starters – two rookies and four free-agent additions – at defensive tackle, outside linebacker and cornerback, respectively.
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.101sports.com/2013/04/24/rams-draft-defense-can-dominate-with-two-key-additions/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.101sports.com/2013/04/24/ram ... additions/</a>
