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Sound familiar? Rams need to improve offense
• By Joe Strauss
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colu...cle_383b036a-defe-505b-915c-e8d597fd6d59.html
This week’s tights and T-shirts display at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis gives voice to those who would suggest the Rams are an offense running in place.
Head coach Jeff Fisher, general manager Les Snead and dozens of other Rams employees arrived at the sensationalized meat market in the same place at the same time to scope out the same needs alternately addressed and ignored prior to last season’s 6-10 frustration.
The Rams are looking for an offensive lineman (or three) and what Fisher might call “options” at quarterback. This comes a year after drafting Auburn tackle Greg Robinson with the second overall pick and gambling poorly on Sam Bradford’s surgically-repaired right knee to hold up.
Robinson’s development did not produce a start until Week 5. He proved a road-grader at times but also penalty-prone and a work in progress within pass protection. Drafted after his junior season, Robinson turns 23 in October, suggesting the Rams will receive eventual if not instant gratification from their left tackle of the future. Veteran tackle Jake Long’s second knee tear in as many seasons, the need to move on from stopgap guard Davin Joseph and questions at center are more at issue than Robinson’s ceiling.
Now comes (you pick) the difficult, obvious, complicated, path-of-least-resistance part involving Bradford, the eternal key to an offense now led by a new coordinator promoted with the quarterback’s blessing. “As it should be,” said the promoted OC, Frank Cignetti.
Two days after the Rams’ season-ending loss to Seattle, Fisher hinted at a competition in training camp between Bradford and someone “outside the building.” Intrepid reporters quickly scrambled to see whether Shaun Hill had just crossed the street to McDonalds.
More recently, Fisher softened the language to seeking out “options.” He offered at least a snapshot and perhaps even a panorama of next season when he embraced Bradford as the team’s unchallenged starter. Might it also become Fisher’s legacy here?
Fisher is big on continuity, as the Cignetti hire underscores. The head coach insists Bradford represented a significant lure when he took the job, and there exists a strong “what if” factor about what the last two seasons might have resembled had Bradford not been lost in the seventh game of 2013 and last August’s preseason tilt in Cleveland. Bradford, unseen for the Rams’ last 25 starts and able to post in 49 of 80 games since drafted, helped produce a 7-8-1 record in 2012. He played well prior to his initial knee injury and looked sharp last summer before the second incident. If judged against this year’s draft class and uninspiring free-agent list, a healthy Bradford probably offers the best chance for immediate return. But the words “if” and “healthy” are inseparable when addressing the topic.
The Rams are without question viewed differently now. They’re renters only. They’ve followed 7-8-1, 7-9 and 6-10 seasons with what appears a frantic desire to go west. Last summer’s training camp attracted enthusiastic record crowds to Earth City, but one wonders if even crickets will show this July. Sameness on offense seems just another downer.
Of course, Fisher can argue an offense with Bradford wouldn’t be the same.
It’s also true that right now Bradford is the only quarterback on the Rams roster.
Fisher’s succinct endorsement of Bradford doesn’t evaporate some issues, especially whether the player is open to reworking the final installment of his six-year, $78 million contract. There is gamble involved for both sides. Bradford could refuse based on what he thinks another team may see as his market value. The Rams, who may be more prone to trade for high-profile depth, could cut Bradford in camp. Both scenarios seem extreme given a cordial relationship between team and player; however, it’s hardly far-fetched to think a franchise expects some salary-cap relief after missing its highest-priced player for most of two seasons.
No doubt the Rams fumbled leverage by overlooking the position during the earlier rounds of last year’s quarterback-rich draft. Now they cradle only five picks, the same number exercised in 2014’s first four rounds. Depth comes at a premium. Proof? Josh McCown is making visits as a free agent rock star.
Seven years removed from his last winning season as head coach, Fisher has been well-compensated to remove an upside-down franchise from a decade-deep ditch. He and Snead deserve credit for making the on-field product relevant while conducting a three-year roster overhaul, albeit with disappointing returns in the platform, 2014 season.
Fisher approaches the fourth season of a five-year contract. Bradford is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following next season. Chief beneficiary of the last three drafts, the Rams’ starting defense is under contract and arguably of playoff caliber.
Something needs to happen on the other side of the ball, and happen soon. A franchise that hasn’t finished in the NFL’s top 20 in points or top 22 in yardage since Scott Linehan’s 2006 debut season clearly sees its deficiencies. The offensive line demands upgrade, and the potential loss of Kenny Britt to free agency reopens debate over whether the franchise needs to again draft (or sign) a receiver after spending picks on Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Brian Quick and Chris Givens. (Again, last year’s class offered an abundance at the position.)
Strip away the fear and loathing about a potential franchise move and the Rams appear a team with obvious upside. They achieved the steal of last year’s draft by taking defensive tackle Aaron Donald 13th overall while the masses clamored for Johnny Manziel. If Lamarcus Joyner was a second-round reach — and he appeared so with the 41st overall pick — E.J. Gaines became a sixth-round find. This year should be earmarked for offense, offense and more offense.
What remains is Bradford. Just as a year ago, he is said to be progressing well from knee surgery. He’s constantly in the building. Fisher’s sentiment is obvious. As last season proved, if it was only that simple.
• By Joe Strauss
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colu...cle_383b036a-defe-505b-915c-e8d597fd6d59.html
This week’s tights and T-shirts display at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis gives voice to those who would suggest the Rams are an offense running in place.
Head coach Jeff Fisher, general manager Les Snead and dozens of other Rams employees arrived at the sensationalized meat market in the same place at the same time to scope out the same needs alternately addressed and ignored prior to last season’s 6-10 frustration.
The Rams are looking for an offensive lineman (or three) and what Fisher might call “options” at quarterback. This comes a year after drafting Auburn tackle Greg Robinson with the second overall pick and gambling poorly on Sam Bradford’s surgically-repaired right knee to hold up.
Robinson’s development did not produce a start until Week 5. He proved a road-grader at times but also penalty-prone and a work in progress within pass protection. Drafted after his junior season, Robinson turns 23 in October, suggesting the Rams will receive eventual if not instant gratification from their left tackle of the future. Veteran tackle Jake Long’s second knee tear in as many seasons, the need to move on from stopgap guard Davin Joseph and questions at center are more at issue than Robinson’s ceiling.
Now comes (you pick) the difficult, obvious, complicated, path-of-least-resistance part involving Bradford, the eternal key to an offense now led by a new coordinator promoted with the quarterback’s blessing. “As it should be,” said the promoted OC, Frank Cignetti.
Two days after the Rams’ season-ending loss to Seattle, Fisher hinted at a competition in training camp between Bradford and someone “outside the building.” Intrepid reporters quickly scrambled to see whether Shaun Hill had just crossed the street to McDonalds.
More recently, Fisher softened the language to seeking out “options.” He offered at least a snapshot and perhaps even a panorama of next season when he embraced Bradford as the team’s unchallenged starter. Might it also become Fisher’s legacy here?
Fisher is big on continuity, as the Cignetti hire underscores. The head coach insists Bradford represented a significant lure when he took the job, and there exists a strong “what if” factor about what the last two seasons might have resembled had Bradford not been lost in the seventh game of 2013 and last August’s preseason tilt in Cleveland. Bradford, unseen for the Rams’ last 25 starts and able to post in 49 of 80 games since drafted, helped produce a 7-8-1 record in 2012. He played well prior to his initial knee injury and looked sharp last summer before the second incident. If judged against this year’s draft class and uninspiring free-agent list, a healthy Bradford probably offers the best chance for immediate return. But the words “if” and “healthy” are inseparable when addressing the topic.
The Rams are without question viewed differently now. They’re renters only. They’ve followed 7-8-1, 7-9 and 6-10 seasons with what appears a frantic desire to go west. Last summer’s training camp attracted enthusiastic record crowds to Earth City, but one wonders if even crickets will show this July. Sameness on offense seems just another downer.
Of course, Fisher can argue an offense with Bradford wouldn’t be the same.
It’s also true that right now Bradford is the only quarterback on the Rams roster.
Fisher’s succinct endorsement of Bradford doesn’t evaporate some issues, especially whether the player is open to reworking the final installment of his six-year, $78 million contract. There is gamble involved for both sides. Bradford could refuse based on what he thinks another team may see as his market value. The Rams, who may be more prone to trade for high-profile depth, could cut Bradford in camp. Both scenarios seem extreme given a cordial relationship between team and player; however, it’s hardly far-fetched to think a franchise expects some salary-cap relief after missing its highest-priced player for most of two seasons.
No doubt the Rams fumbled leverage by overlooking the position during the earlier rounds of last year’s quarterback-rich draft. Now they cradle only five picks, the same number exercised in 2014’s first four rounds. Depth comes at a premium. Proof? Josh McCown is making visits as a free agent rock star.
Seven years removed from his last winning season as head coach, Fisher has been well-compensated to remove an upside-down franchise from a decade-deep ditch. He and Snead deserve credit for making the on-field product relevant while conducting a three-year roster overhaul, albeit with disappointing returns in the platform, 2014 season.
Fisher approaches the fourth season of a five-year contract. Bradford is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following next season. Chief beneficiary of the last three drafts, the Rams’ starting defense is under contract and arguably of playoff caliber.
Something needs to happen on the other side of the ball, and happen soon. A franchise that hasn’t finished in the NFL’s top 20 in points or top 22 in yardage since Scott Linehan’s 2006 debut season clearly sees its deficiencies. The offensive line demands upgrade, and the potential loss of Kenny Britt to free agency reopens debate over whether the franchise needs to again draft (or sign) a receiver after spending picks on Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Brian Quick and Chris Givens. (Again, last year’s class offered an abundance at the position.)
Strip away the fear and loathing about a potential franchise move and the Rams appear a team with obvious upside. They achieved the steal of last year’s draft by taking defensive tackle Aaron Donald 13th overall while the masses clamored for Johnny Manziel. If Lamarcus Joyner was a second-round reach — and he appeared so with the 41st overall pick — E.J. Gaines became a sixth-round find. This year should be earmarked for offense, offense and more offense.
What remains is Bradford. Just as a year ago, he is said to be progressing well from knee surgery. He’s constantly in the building. Fisher’s sentiment is obvious. As last season proved, if it was only that simple.
