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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...facing-st-louis-rams-with-otas-nearly-wrapped
The 5 Biggest Issues Facing St. Louis Rams with OTAs Nearly Wrapped
By Steven Gerwel, Featured Columnist Jun 12, 2015
St. Louis Rams will wrap OTAs June 19. Now that the rookies have had some practice time with the veterans, the coaching staff can begin highlighting certain issues.
The players will have a nice summer break before training camp begins, and that's when things will heat up. Between training camp and the preseason, the Rams will have an opportunity to focus on the biggest question marks.
This article will outline several of the major issues the team must be aware of now that OTAs are complete.
Running Back Will Be Thin Until Todd Gurley Is Healthy
Jeff Roberson/Associated Press
Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reported that running back Todd Gurley, St. Louis' first-round draft choice, is finding ways to participate. He's glancing at the playbook, taking mental reps and remaining focused.
The eagerness will do him a lot of good once he returns from his knee injury. However, the Rams will be thin at running back for the first half of the season.
Adding to the frustration is the fact that Trey Watts earned himself a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, per Mike Florio of NBC Sports.
Watts, an undrafted rookie from last year, made the final roster in 2014 and would have likely been the No. 3 back until Gurley's return. Without Watts, the Rams are basically depending on Tre Mason and Benny Cunningham to carry the entire workload.
Cunningham and Mason did combine for 75 percent of the running back carries last season, and neither player was overworked (both had under 200 carries). If healthy, Mason and Cunningham are perfectly capable of taking 100 percent of the carries.
The key words being, "if healthy."
With Watts and Gurley unavailable early in the season, an injury to Mason or Cunningham would be a nightmare. The Rams would essentially be left with a single capable back. Since St. Louis is built as a run-first team, that's a big problem.
So how do the Rams address this issue?
The coaches need to keep a close eye on rookie Malcolm Brown and fourth-year pro Isaiah Pead. If either player excels throughout camp and the preseason, the Rams can rest easy. If not, they will have to search for outside help. Adding a veteran back after final cuts might be an option.
It's only a temporary issue, but the Rams need to be mindful of the running back situation throughout camp.
Brian Quick Needs to Be Ready for Training Camp
Matt Rourke/Associated Press
Brian Quick was in the midst of what appeared to be a breakout campaign in 2014. He amassed over 300 yards in his first four games, but he injured his shoulder in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The updates have been scarce. Wagoner of ESPN.com reported at the end of March that Quick tore his rotator cuff and separated his shoulder, and that the Rams refused to give a timetable for his return (which is typically a bad sign).
However, in Wagoner's latest report, he stated that Quick participated in some individual drills during OTAs and could be ready for training camp.
For Quick's sake, let's hope that's accurate.
The Rams need a true No. 1 wide receiver in the worst way. If Quick is absent from camp, the Rams will basically be forced to hand Kenny Britt that title by default (unless dark-horse candidate Stedman Bailey makes a big statement).
Not only is that bad for Quick, but it's also bad for the Rams in general. No player should be handed a job by default. Competition brings out the best in everybody, and adding Quick to the mix will certainly increase the competition.
Also, let's not overlook that Nick Foles is a new quarterback. Throwing Quick into the mix midseason and expecting him to click with Foles is absurd. He needs to be present at camp in order to develop a chemistry with his new signal-caller.
Needless to say, the fans and coaching staff will both be keeping a sharp eye on Quick's health.
Rams Must Overcome Inexperienced Offensive Line
Jeff Roberson/Associated Press
Jeff Fisher wants to run the football, and he wants Todd Gurley to be his 2015 version of Eddie George. After the Rams selected Gurley in the draft, along with four mauling offensive linemen, the team's intentions became quite clear.
Whether the Rams actually become a dominant run team in 2015 is still up for debate. That's the blueprint, but there are several issues that must be resolved.
One of the most glaring issues is the offensive line. Greg Robinson and Rodger Saffold are the only starters returning from 2014, so the other three spots are up for grabs.
The Rams did not sign or draft any centers during the offseason, so either Barrett Jones or Tim Barnes will man that post. The spots at right tackle and guard are wide open, so it's assumed both positions will be filled by rookies.
Either way, the Rams will be fielding three first-year starters on the offensive line, including two rookies. The offensive line will jell eventually with time, but it could be ugly to watch in the early goings.
The team's top priority in training camp is to get the young linemen ready for Week 1. It will be a challenge, but it's certainly doable.
Luckily, the Rams possess arguably the top defensive line in football. Forcing the rookie linemen to square off against Pro Bowl pass-rushers every day at practice will certainly speed up their development. If the youngsters can block Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald, they'll certainly be able to handle Michael Bennett against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.
Getting this line to jell is a bit more complicated than that, but that's a challenge the coaching staff will have to address.
Tavon Austin Needs to Find a Role
Charlie Riedel/Associated Press
When discussing St. Louis' 2015 offense, there's lots of talk surrounding the run game, the emergence of a No. 1 receiver and capabilities of Nick Foles. However, the hype around Tavon Austin has died down tremendously.
Austin had just 224 receiving yards in 2014 and was held under 500 yards from scrimmage. Regardless of the context or various debilitating factors at play, it's hard to dispute that his production has been very disappointing for a top-10 draft pick.
Former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer caught a lot of heat in 2014 for not properly utilizing Austin, and Austin was cut some serious slack for catching passes from backup quarterbacks all season.
Six other pass-catchers on the Rams experienced the same supposed negative factors and still had more receiving yards than Austin. But needless to say, he still gets a pass.
It's doubtful the coaches and fans will be as lenient in 2015. Austin needs a big year, and he needs to be fully utilized.
That will require a better overall game plan by the coaching staff, as well as an increased role on special teams. He averaged fifth in theNFL last season in average yards per punt return (11.2). It'd be nice to see the Rams take advantage of his return skills by having him return kickoffs as well.
Too many returns equates to a greater injury risk, but the Rams can always cut back if he starts to break out on offense. But until that happens, special teams is his most productive area.
Whatever St. Louis decides, Austin must be put in a position where he can produce. He was a major investment for this franchise, so the Rams cannot afford to keep him on as a minor role player.
A Lot of New Pieces on Offense
Michael Thomas/Associated Press
The biggest issue facing this team is the entire offense. The offensive unit does not lack talent, but the entire group is totally fresh and inexperienced.
The 2015 Rams will be featuring a new offensive line, a new quarterback, a new workhorse running back and even a new offensive coordinator (former quarterback coach Frank Cignetti).
The entire unit is in its rookie season. Getting the line to open giant run lanes, Gurley to run with the same electricity he did in college, Foles to regain his 2013 form and Cignetti to call the right plays will take time. That's not to say early success is impossible, but it'd be wise to taper expectations for the time being.
The group has a lot of moving pieces that must be synchronized. Only so much chemistry can be developed in training camp.
Luckily, this is a defensive team. The Rams do not need the offense firing on all cylinders in order to be successful. For now, an offense that can feature a top-15 run game and hook up for the occasional big passing play should suffice.
The good news is that there's a lot of exciting young talent on offense. During the 2010 and 2011 seasons, analysts frequently commented on St. Louis' up-and-coming defense. And that's basically where this offense is at. It's about where the defense was four seasons ago.
The Rams don't need the offense to break out and reach the defense's level. The offense simply needs to avoid being incompetent. If that happens, the playoffs are a very real possibility.
Getting this fresh offense in sync should be the No. 1 focus throughout training camp.
Steven Gerwel is the longest-tenured Rams featured columnist at Bleacher Report and served as the Rams' game-day correspondent in 2014. You can find more of Gerwel's work by visiting his writer profile or following him on Twitter.
The 5 Biggest Issues Facing St. Louis Rams with OTAs Nearly Wrapped
By Steven Gerwel, Featured Columnist Jun 12, 2015
St. Louis Rams will wrap OTAs June 19. Now that the rookies have had some practice time with the veterans, the coaching staff can begin highlighting certain issues.
The players will have a nice summer break before training camp begins, and that's when things will heat up. Between training camp and the preseason, the Rams will have an opportunity to focus on the biggest question marks.
This article will outline several of the major issues the team must be aware of now that OTAs are complete.
Running Back Will Be Thin Until Todd Gurley Is Healthy
Jeff Roberson/Associated Press
Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reported that running back Todd Gurley, St. Louis' first-round draft choice, is finding ways to participate. He's glancing at the playbook, taking mental reps and remaining focused.
The eagerness will do him a lot of good once he returns from his knee injury. However, the Rams will be thin at running back for the first half of the season.
Adding to the frustration is the fact that Trey Watts earned himself a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, per Mike Florio of NBC Sports.
Watts, an undrafted rookie from last year, made the final roster in 2014 and would have likely been the No. 3 back until Gurley's return. Without Watts, the Rams are basically depending on Tre Mason and Benny Cunningham to carry the entire workload.
Cunningham and Mason did combine for 75 percent of the running back carries last season, and neither player was overworked (both had under 200 carries). If healthy, Mason and Cunningham are perfectly capable of taking 100 percent of the carries.
The key words being, "if healthy."
With Watts and Gurley unavailable early in the season, an injury to Mason or Cunningham would be a nightmare. The Rams would essentially be left with a single capable back. Since St. Louis is built as a run-first team, that's a big problem.
So how do the Rams address this issue?
The coaches need to keep a close eye on rookie Malcolm Brown and fourth-year pro Isaiah Pead. If either player excels throughout camp and the preseason, the Rams can rest easy. If not, they will have to search for outside help. Adding a veteran back after final cuts might be an option.
It's only a temporary issue, but the Rams need to be mindful of the running back situation throughout camp.
Brian Quick Needs to Be Ready for Training Camp
Matt Rourke/Associated Press
Brian Quick was in the midst of what appeared to be a breakout campaign in 2014. He amassed over 300 yards in his first four games, but he injured his shoulder in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The updates have been scarce. Wagoner of ESPN.com reported at the end of March that Quick tore his rotator cuff and separated his shoulder, and that the Rams refused to give a timetable for his return (which is typically a bad sign).
However, in Wagoner's latest report, he stated that Quick participated in some individual drills during OTAs and could be ready for training camp.
For Quick's sake, let's hope that's accurate.
The Rams need a true No. 1 wide receiver in the worst way. If Quick is absent from camp, the Rams will basically be forced to hand Kenny Britt that title by default (unless dark-horse candidate Stedman Bailey makes a big statement).
Not only is that bad for Quick, but it's also bad for the Rams in general. No player should be handed a job by default. Competition brings out the best in everybody, and adding Quick to the mix will certainly increase the competition.
Also, let's not overlook that Nick Foles is a new quarterback. Throwing Quick into the mix midseason and expecting him to click with Foles is absurd. He needs to be present at camp in order to develop a chemistry with his new signal-caller.
Needless to say, the fans and coaching staff will both be keeping a sharp eye on Quick's health.
Rams Must Overcome Inexperienced Offensive Line
Jeff Roberson/Associated Press
Jeff Fisher wants to run the football, and he wants Todd Gurley to be his 2015 version of Eddie George. After the Rams selected Gurley in the draft, along with four mauling offensive linemen, the team's intentions became quite clear.
Whether the Rams actually become a dominant run team in 2015 is still up for debate. That's the blueprint, but there are several issues that must be resolved.
One of the most glaring issues is the offensive line. Greg Robinson and Rodger Saffold are the only starters returning from 2014, so the other three spots are up for grabs.
The Rams did not sign or draft any centers during the offseason, so either Barrett Jones or Tim Barnes will man that post. The spots at right tackle and guard are wide open, so it's assumed both positions will be filled by rookies.
Either way, the Rams will be fielding three first-year starters on the offensive line, including two rookies. The offensive line will jell eventually with time, but it could be ugly to watch in the early goings.
The team's top priority in training camp is to get the young linemen ready for Week 1. It will be a challenge, but it's certainly doable.
Luckily, the Rams possess arguably the top defensive line in football. Forcing the rookie linemen to square off against Pro Bowl pass-rushers every day at practice will certainly speed up their development. If the youngsters can block Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald, they'll certainly be able to handle Michael Bennett against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.
Getting this line to jell is a bit more complicated than that, but that's a challenge the coaching staff will have to address.
Tavon Austin Needs to Find a Role
Charlie Riedel/Associated Press
When discussing St. Louis' 2015 offense, there's lots of talk surrounding the run game, the emergence of a No. 1 receiver and capabilities of Nick Foles. However, the hype around Tavon Austin has died down tremendously.
Austin had just 224 receiving yards in 2014 and was held under 500 yards from scrimmage. Regardless of the context or various debilitating factors at play, it's hard to dispute that his production has been very disappointing for a top-10 draft pick.
Former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer caught a lot of heat in 2014 for not properly utilizing Austin, and Austin was cut some serious slack for catching passes from backup quarterbacks all season.
Six other pass-catchers on the Rams experienced the same supposed negative factors and still had more receiving yards than Austin. But needless to say, he still gets a pass.
It's doubtful the coaches and fans will be as lenient in 2015. Austin needs a big year, and he needs to be fully utilized.
That will require a better overall game plan by the coaching staff, as well as an increased role on special teams. He averaged fifth in theNFL last season in average yards per punt return (11.2). It'd be nice to see the Rams take advantage of his return skills by having him return kickoffs as well.
Too many returns equates to a greater injury risk, but the Rams can always cut back if he starts to break out on offense. But until that happens, special teams is his most productive area.
Whatever St. Louis decides, Austin must be put in a position where he can produce. He was a major investment for this franchise, so the Rams cannot afford to keep him on as a minor role player.
A Lot of New Pieces on Offense
Michael Thomas/Associated Press
The biggest issue facing this team is the entire offense. The offensive unit does not lack talent, but the entire group is totally fresh and inexperienced.
The 2015 Rams will be featuring a new offensive line, a new quarterback, a new workhorse running back and even a new offensive coordinator (former quarterback coach Frank Cignetti).
The entire unit is in its rookie season. Getting the line to open giant run lanes, Gurley to run with the same electricity he did in college, Foles to regain his 2013 form and Cignetti to call the right plays will take time. That's not to say early success is impossible, but it'd be wise to taper expectations for the time being.
The group has a lot of moving pieces that must be synchronized. Only so much chemistry can be developed in training camp.
Luckily, this is a defensive team. The Rams do not need the offense firing on all cylinders in order to be successful. For now, an offense that can feature a top-15 run game and hook up for the occasional big passing play should suffice.
The good news is that there's a lot of exciting young talent on offense. During the 2010 and 2011 seasons, analysts frequently commented on St. Louis' up-and-coming defense. And that's basically where this offense is at. It's about where the defense was four seasons ago.
The Rams don't need the offense to break out and reach the defense's level. The offense simply needs to avoid being incompetent. If that happens, the playoffs are a very real possibility.
Getting this fresh offense in sync should be the No. 1 focus throughout training camp.
Steven Gerwel is the longest-tenured Rams featured columnist at Bleacher Report and served as the Rams' game-day correspondent in 2014. You can find more of Gerwel's work by visiting his writer profile or following him on Twitter.
