- Joined
- Jun 20, 2010
- Messages
- 35,576
- Name
- The Dude
[wrapimg=left]http://a1.espncdn.com/prod/assets/insider/in_bug_56.png[/wrapimg]
By Brian McIntyre
Football Outsiders
This continues an eight-part series in which Football Outsiders looks at the biggest holes remaining on each team going into the offseason. Remember, some of these holes might not actually be holes if teams re-sign their own players, and other holes will be filled during free agency and the draft.
Today, Outsiders looks at the NFC West.
St. Louis Rams: Wide receiver, outside linebacker
It's difficult to pinpoint just one area of need on the roster of a franchise that has won three or fewer games in four of the past five seasons, has fired its general manager, and has hired its third full-time head coach since 2008. On the offensive side of the ball, the Rams have their franchise quarterback (Sam Bradford) and a Pro Bowl-caliber running back in Steven Jackson. They've used high-round choices on offensive tackles in two of the past three drafts -- on Jason Smith and Rodger Saffold -- and, although the Rams' line didn't protect well at all last season, it's probably too soon to give up on the line after it looked so promising in 2010. One component still missing from the mix is a true No. 1 receiver.
St. Louis traded what turned out to be a 2012 fifth-round pick to the Denver Broncos to acquire Brandon Lloyd, who caught 51 passes for 683 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games with the Rams. Lloyd is an unrestricted free agent, turns 31 in March and could be in demand on the market. Brandon Gibson is a serviceable complementary receiver, and Danny Amendola was Wes Welker Lite in the slot before tearing his left triceps. Neither of two 2011 draft picks -- Greg Salas and Austin Pettis -- appears capable of filling that No. 1 role (and Pettis will open the 2012 season on the suspended list), and Danario Alexander's injury history has hurt his chances of being an answer there, as well. The Rams could pursue Marques Colston, DeSean Jackson or Dwayne Bowe in free agency. Or they could use the No. 2 pick in the 2012 NFL draft on Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon.
The Rams have a true quarterback on defense in middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, who is on the cusp of being a perennial Pro Bowler despite playing with a constantly revolving cast of outside linebackers. Na'il Diggs, David Vobora, Bryan Kehl and Chris Chamberlain started games alongside Laurinaitis in 2010. Ben Leber, Brady Poppinga and Zac Diles were brought in for 2011. Free-agent options in 2012 could include Jo-Lonn Dunbar, who recorded 76 tackles while playing for defensive coordinator Gregg Williams when Williams was in New Orleans, and a pair of Seahawks -- David Hawthorne and Leroy Hill -- who would be solid additions to the Rams that also weaken a division opponent.
By Brian McIntyre
Football Outsiders
This continues an eight-part series in which Football Outsiders looks at the biggest holes remaining on each team going into the offseason. Remember, some of these holes might not actually be holes if teams re-sign their own players, and other holes will be filled during free agency and the draft.
Today, Outsiders looks at the NFC West.
St. Louis Rams: Wide receiver, outside linebacker
It's difficult to pinpoint just one area of need on the roster of a franchise that has won three or fewer games in four of the past five seasons, has fired its general manager, and has hired its third full-time head coach since 2008. On the offensive side of the ball, the Rams have their franchise quarterback (Sam Bradford) and a Pro Bowl-caliber running back in Steven Jackson. They've used high-round choices on offensive tackles in two of the past three drafts -- on Jason Smith and Rodger Saffold -- and, although the Rams' line didn't protect well at all last season, it's probably too soon to give up on the line after it looked so promising in 2010. One component still missing from the mix is a true No. 1 receiver.
St. Louis traded what turned out to be a 2012 fifth-round pick to the Denver Broncos to acquire Brandon Lloyd, who caught 51 passes for 683 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games with the Rams. Lloyd is an unrestricted free agent, turns 31 in March and could be in demand on the market. Brandon Gibson is a serviceable complementary receiver, and Danny Amendola was Wes Welker Lite in the slot before tearing his left triceps. Neither of two 2011 draft picks -- Greg Salas and Austin Pettis -- appears capable of filling that No. 1 role (and Pettis will open the 2012 season on the suspended list), and Danario Alexander's injury history has hurt his chances of being an answer there, as well. The Rams could pursue Marques Colston, DeSean Jackson or Dwayne Bowe in free agency. Or they could use the No. 2 pick in the 2012 NFL draft on Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon.
The Rams have a true quarterback on defense in middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, who is on the cusp of being a perennial Pro Bowler despite playing with a constantly revolving cast of outside linebackers. Na'il Diggs, David Vobora, Bryan Kehl and Chris Chamberlain started games alongside Laurinaitis in 2010. Ben Leber, Brady Poppinga and Zac Diles were brought in for 2011. Free-agent options in 2012 could include Jo-Lonn Dunbar, who recorded 76 tackles while playing for defensive coordinator Gregg Williams when Williams was in New Orleans, and a pair of Seahawks -- David Hawthorne and Leroy Hill -- who would be solid additions to the Rams that also weaken a division opponent.