NFC West Preview- St. Louis Rams

The Rams were a mess in 2008, had it not been for the Detroit Lions sad season going 0-16, the Rams would've been the laughingstock of the NFL. The Rams lost Torry Holt and Orlando Pace, two of the remaining members of the "Greatest Show On Turf" era last season. It's a rebuilding year in St. Louis, along with the fact that rumors are flying that the Rams may leave St. Louis altogether... LA relocation? I don't see it happening, as much as St. Louis wanted a team, they would not just let the Rams leave abruptly. The Rams spent their #2 pick on Jason Smith in the NFL Draft to replace Pace, and Donnie Avery, is the #1 receiver after a respectable rookie season in 2008. On offense, Jason Smith will be joined by center Jason Brown, who left Baltimore for an opportunity and it will help the Rams offensive line. Marc Bulger is the starter, and it was tough to throw to anybody when people were hurt. Avery is the only receiver that St. Louis has, and the #2 receiver will be wide open. Head coach Steve Spagnuolo has a long process to get this team to where they need to be. Steven Jackson will be healthy and as long as he is healthy, he will definitely be the workhorse and the leader of the running game for this team. His attitude will definitely depend on how far this team goes. If he is ready to go and has a positive attitude then the Rams will be okay, if he's not in that stage, then it's going to be a long season. Spagnuolo's specialty is defense, and he can definitely get these guys to buy into his system. Expect big things from the blitzing scheme that made his time in New York with the Giants successful and it will be incorporated into the St. Louis style of play. One key rookie will be James Lauranaitis. He will be expected to start, and Leonard Little will be a key in the leadership, as he is the most known player on defense. I expect him to be a leader for the veterans and the young guys in the locker room St. Louis is rebuilding, and it's not going to be an easy process. The team will not quit, and Spagnuolo will have these guys rallying around him and not quitting like they did with Scott Linehan last season. The score will not be blowouts, and I think better days are definitely ahead in the Gateway to the West.