Rams Rap Up

Well the season is over and the Rams once again miss the playoffs.  But did we really think they would make the playoffs?  Nah.  I had them 6-10, 7-9.  And they finished 7-8-1.  Guess you could say that is a positive note...right?

What went right:
Jeff Fisher said before the season started, I think even just after the draft the first thing they had to do is create a team that will beat the teams in their division....Well he has accomplished that.  The Rams went 4-1-1 in the division, a division that saw two 11 win teams (SF and Sea) both making the playoffs. 

The Defense played with some real intensity and edge that they have not had before.  Quinn finished with 10.5 sacks and Long had 11.5 sacks.  The team's front 7 has been impressive at times and with another year with Fisher will only get better.  Finnegan gets under the opponents skin and just creates chaos and havoc.  If there is a little dirty play on the defense side, so be it.  When you play the Rams you will remember playing them because they will punch you right in the neck.

Steven "Stiff" Jackson really toward the second half of the season looked good, powerful and running with attitude.  He finished with over 1,000 yards once again.  Still doesn't score many TDs but who on the Rams really does? 

What still is wrong:
The offense. How many times have they drove inside the redzone and had to settle for FGs.  Bradford just really looked mediocre at best.  The WR Corp is suspect.  Best player is Amendola.  Chris Givens did show some signs of being able to blow the top off a D.  But the rest continue to drop passes and run the wrong routes.

Special Teams.  At the beginning of the season it looked like they found gold in two rookies.  Zuerlein was Greg "the Leg" but after missing 3 in a row in Miami turned out to be a head case.  Punter Hekker was shining early in the year but then really became average rest of the season, even shanking one. 

Best Game of the Year:  December 2 vs. San Francisco 49ers.
Rams beat their bitter rivals 16-13 in OT.  Even though the Rams didn't score a single offensive TD just the fact the Rams beat the 49ers is always a good thing.  It was a defensive battle and they won in the end on a Zuerlein 54 yard FG to win the game. 

A close second was the TNF game against the Cardinals where the Rams won 17-3 starting the Cardinals long losing streak.  The Rams offense showed some signs of life in this one with a 51 yard TD pass from Bradford to Givens.  The Defense destroyed Kevin Kolb in this one sacking him 9 times!

What to look for next year:
Defense will continue to improve under Jeff Fisher.  Teams will not want to play them. As far as the offense I think this next year will be a make it or break it year for Bradford.  But they need to get him a big time receiver.  Been saying it for the past two years that's what they need.  Also a need will be a replacement for Jackson.  He will likely not be with the team next year and if he is not they don't have that every down back that can control the game, which is what Fisher teams are about.  Ball control and good Defense.

I expect they will challenge the Seahawks and 49ers next year if given a favorable schedule.  They have proven they can beat them this year.