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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-is-the-quarterback-team-has-been-waiting-for
St. Louis Rams: Nick Foles Is the Quarterback Team Has Been Waiting for
By Travis Wakeman, Featured Columnist
In recent years, the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ershave ruled the NFC West. Even the Arizona Cardinals have found success in the stacked division, earning a postseason berth. But the St. Louis Rams have made it a solid four-team race with the additions they've made this offseason.
Bringing over Nick Fairley as a free agent from the Detroit Lions could give the team the league's best defensive line with Chris Long, Robert Quinn, Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers already there.
Using its first-round pick on running back Todd Gurley was an interesting choice for St. Louis, but it gives the team a dynamic player out of the backfield who could be the best running back to come from the college ranks in several years.
But perhaps the most important addition the team made was getting quarterback Nick Foles. Acquiring Folesrequired the team to give up on former No. 1 overall selection Sam Bradford, but that may have been long past due.
Bradford showed promise when he was on the field, but he had only played in seven games over the course of the last two seasons. It was time for the team to go in a new direction.
In Foles, the Rams get a 26-year-old quarterback who comes from a team that has been in the top three in scoring in each of the last two seasons. In 2013, he posted an incredible stat line of 27 touchdowns to just two interceptions. He finished that season with a 119.2 quarterback rating.
The Rams have made the most of what they've had to work with in Bradford's absence over the last several years, but the team hasn't made the postseason since 2004 and the fact that it hasn't had consistent play from the quarterback position is one of the main reasons why.
The Rams' best chance to make the playoffs with Bradford was in 2010. Playing the Seahawks in the season finale, the Rams needed to win a game in Seattle to win the division and earn a playoff berth.
(Click link and scroll down to see Rams passing stats since 2005).
Bradford was outplayed by journeyman quarterback Charlie Whitehurst and the Rams lost 16-6.
Truthfully, the Rams haven't seen consistency from the quarterback position since Marc Bulger ran the offense. Coincidentally, they haven't been to the playoffs since he was the quarterback in 2004.
Since 2006, the Rams have had 11 different players start at least one game at quarterback. The team needs a long-term answer at the position and Foles could be just that.
Foles has all the weapons he'll need at his disposal. Gurley and Tre Mason should make an excellent combination at the running back spot. Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Kenny Britt and Brian Quick are a great blend of wide receivers who will give Foles size, speed and athleticism to target on the field.
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Nick Foles now has gotten a first-round running back, a second-round tackle, a third-round guard and a fourth-round tackle.
----------------
He has a big, athletic tight end in Jared Cook as well as a great blocking tight end in Lance Kendricks.
The question mark will be the offensive line. The Rams selected four offensive linemen in the NFL draft and it appears that it will be an open competition at many of the spots along the line throughout training camp.
Protecting Foles will be key, especially since he'll be coming off a broken collarbone that ended his 2014 season. Inside a clean pocket,Foles is a dangerous passer who can make all the throws. Foles shows poise in the pocket and his short to intermediate accuracy is very good.
That could make guys like Austin and Bailey extremely dangerous for defenses on crossing routes and quick slants.
Foles is also deceptive on his feet. He has the ability to extend plays and pick up yards as a runner. In his career, he has converted 26 runs into first downs while also rushing for four touchdowns.
There is a lot to like about how the Rams are building as a team. The defense is nasty and won't give up any easy points. The offense is loaded with playmakers. One thing has been missing, and an offseason trade with the Philadelphia Eagles may end up being one of the most important transactions in team history.
Foles is the quarterback to help the Rams turn the corner.
St. Louis Rams: Nick Foles Is the Quarterback Team Has Been Waiting for
By Travis Wakeman, Featured Columnist
In recent years, the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ershave ruled the NFC West. Even the Arizona Cardinals have found success in the stacked division, earning a postseason berth. But the St. Louis Rams have made it a solid four-team race with the additions they've made this offseason.
Bringing over Nick Fairley as a free agent from the Detroit Lions could give the team the league's best defensive line with Chris Long, Robert Quinn, Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers already there.
Using its first-round pick on running back Todd Gurley was an interesting choice for St. Louis, but it gives the team a dynamic player out of the backfield who could be the best running back to come from the college ranks in several years.
But perhaps the most important addition the team made was getting quarterback Nick Foles. Acquiring Folesrequired the team to give up on former No. 1 overall selection Sam Bradford, but that may have been long past due.
Bradford showed promise when he was on the field, but he had only played in seven games over the course of the last two seasons. It was time for the team to go in a new direction.
In Foles, the Rams get a 26-year-old quarterback who comes from a team that has been in the top three in scoring in each of the last two seasons. In 2013, he posted an incredible stat line of 27 touchdowns to just two interceptions. He finished that season with a 119.2 quarterback rating.
The Rams have made the most of what they've had to work with in Bradford's absence over the last several years, but the team hasn't made the postseason since 2004 and the fact that it hasn't had consistent play from the quarterback position is one of the main reasons why.
The Rams' best chance to make the playoffs with Bradford was in 2010. Playing the Seahawks in the season finale, the Rams needed to win a game in Seattle to win the division and earn a playoff berth.
(Click link and scroll down to see Rams passing stats since 2005).
Bradford was outplayed by journeyman quarterback Charlie Whitehurst and the Rams lost 16-6.
Truthfully, the Rams haven't seen consistency from the quarterback position since Marc Bulger ran the offense. Coincidentally, they haven't been to the playoffs since he was the quarterback in 2004.
Since 2006, the Rams have had 11 different players start at least one game at quarterback. The team needs a long-term answer at the position and Foles could be just that.
Foles has all the weapons he'll need at his disposal. Gurley and Tre Mason should make an excellent combination at the running back spot. Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Kenny Britt and Brian Quick are a great blend of wide receivers who will give Foles size, speed and athleticism to target on the field.
------------------
Nick Foles now has gotten a first-round running back, a second-round tackle, a third-round guard and a fourth-round tackle.
----------------
He has a big, athletic tight end in Jared Cook as well as a great blocking tight end in Lance Kendricks.
The question mark will be the offensive line. The Rams selected four offensive linemen in the NFL draft and it appears that it will be an open competition at many of the spots along the line throughout training camp.
Protecting Foles will be key, especially since he'll be coming off a broken collarbone that ended his 2014 season. Inside a clean pocket,Foles is a dangerous passer who can make all the throws. Foles shows poise in the pocket and his short to intermediate accuracy is very good.
That could make guys like Austin and Bailey extremely dangerous for defenses on crossing routes and quick slants.
Foles is also deceptive on his feet. He has the ability to extend plays and pick up yards as a runner. In his career, he has converted 26 runs into first downs while also rushing for four touchdowns.
There is a lot to like about how the Rams are building as a team. The defense is nasty and won't give up any easy points. The offense is loaded with playmakers. One thing has been missing, and an offseason trade with the Philadelphia Eagles may end up being one of the most important transactions in team history.
Foles is the quarterback to help the Rams turn the corner.
