2010 NFL Preview: St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams hit rock bottom last season, battling injuries, and a lack of talent, and a new coaching regime. Things did not go as planned and they ended up with a 1-15 season. This was a far cry from earlier in the decade when they had the "Greatest Show on Turf".
There are always a bright side to having a bad season: Obtaining the #1 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, and the Rams used that pick on Sam Bradford from Oklahoma. Despite missing most of the season with a shoulder injury, Bradford was the best player of his class, and was a step above his fellow highly touted quarterbacks. The Rams figured he was worth the investment: To the tune of 50 million dollars.
How will the Rams fare in the new Bradford era? That remains to be seen, but the era starts next Sunday when St. Louis hosts the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, Technorati goes inside the St. Louis Rams.
Recap:
- 2009 Record (1-15, 4th NFC West, missed playoffs)
- Key Additions: QB A.J. Feeley (Carolina Panthers), C Hank Fraley (Cleveland Browns), DT Chris Hovan (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), DT Fred Robbins (New York Giants), OLB Na'il Diggs (Carolina Panthers), OLB Bobby Carpenter (Dallas Cowboys), CB Kevin Dockery (New York Giants), S Kevin Payne (Chicago Bears).
- Key Departures: QB Marc Bulger (Baltimore Ravens), QB Kyle Boller (Oakland Raiders), TE Randy McMichael (San Diego Chargers), OT Alex Barron (Dallas Cowboys), DE Leonard Little (free agency), DT Adam Carriker (Washington Redskins), OLB Paris Lenon (Arizona Cardinals), CB Jonathan Wade (Detroit Lions).
Overview:
Offense: When the Rams let go of Bulger, it was a clear path for Sam Bradford to take over. The debate was a matter of when. The Rams brought in A.J. Feeley, who has show he can really play well when he has talented guys around him, but conversely, if there isn't much to work with he is not as successful, and looking at the weapons that the Rams have, there aren't that many. However, Bradford played very well in the preseason, and that was more than enough for head coach Steve Spagnuolo to pencil him in as the starter for Week 1. The knock on him all along was that he is not pro-ready, since he ran under a spread offense at Oklahoma. If the preseason was an indication, Bradford has already jumped the learning curve. We will see how he progresses as the season goes along.
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