NFL 2006: St. Louis Rams

(This is the Corners look at the upcoming NFL season. For the next 32 days we'll be previewing each team and their prospects for the 2006 season. Today we look at the St. Louis Rams.)

Injuries, health issues, personality clashes and horrible defensive play accounted for the demise of the St. Louis Rams in 2005. The fallback from a perennial playoff team to 6-10 and rebuilding mode was sudden and shocking for Rams fans.

Major changes were made in the offseason, starting with the leader of the franchise, the head coach. Mike Martz and his soap opera, once known as the "Greatest Show on Turf" was sent packing and new regime, with Scott Linehan in charge, begins the difficult process of rebuilding a franchise that went to two Super Bowls in a three-year span from 1999-2001.

Linehan, former offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins, made swift changes right away. Veterans were sent packing and in a bold move he hired Jim Haslett, former coach of the Saints, to become the new defensive coordinator. The process has started in earnest and the city of St. Louis is hoping that Linehan can help bring the magic back.

Offense: When healthy and fully functioning, the Rams still have one of the most potent offenses in the league. Marshall Faulk, the mainstay of the Rams since 1999, opted for season-ending knee surgery and his days as a player may be over. Still, this is a solid group that can put up points in a hurry.

Marc Bulger needs to be on the field if the St. Louis offense wants to function properly. Bulger has suffered two shoulder injuries the past two seasons that caused him to miss 10.5 games. How important is the underrated Bulger to the Rams? Last season St. Louis went 4-3 with Bulger (2,297 yards, 14 touchdowns, 67% completions) playing the entire game and 2-7 without him. Linehan brought in Gus Frerotte (2,996 yards, 18 touchdowns), who started last season in Miami and led the Dolphins to a 9-7 record, just in case Bulger goes down. Ryan Fitzpatrick or Dave Ragone will be the third QB.

With Faulk gone, Steven Jackson will get the chance to be a real feature back for the first time. Jackson rushed for 1,046 yards and eight touchdowns last season, in addition, he caught 43 passes for 302 yards and two scores. Jackson has had injury problems his first two years and has to avoid those if he wants to be a 25-30 carries a game back. Free agent Tony Fisher (48 catches) was brought in as a third-down back. With Faulk gone, the Rams don't have a legitimate number two, but are trying to swing a deal with either the Saints for Michael Bennett or the Titans for Chris Brown. Incumbent Madison Hedgecock and free agent Paul Smith will fight for the fullback spot.

The receivers are still the strength of this offense and St. Louis has two of the all-time greats in Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. Holt was second in the league in receptions (102) and yards (1,331) despite playing on a knee that had ligament damage. He's healthy and ready to have another monster season. Bruce (36-525-3) missed five games last season with turf toe, but appears ready to go. Kevin Curtis (60-801-6) has emerged as a legitimate slot receiver and deep threat, while Shaun McDonald (46-523) has become the possession receiver Ricky Proehl was in St. Louis. Dane Looker (23 receptions) is solid as well.

Rams tight ends caught only 13 passes in 2005 so changes were made. Gone are Brandon Manumaleuna and Roland Williams and in are rookies Joel Klopfenstein and Dominique Byrd. They'll be pressed into action right away and must pick up the offense fast.

The offensive line returns intact, but nothing is guaranteed with Linehan. Nothing except left tackle that is. Perennial All-Pro Orlando Pace captains the line from his left tackle spot, while future All-Pro Alex Barron holds down the right side. Andy McCollum and Adam Timmerman, the Doughnut Boys, are back at center and right guard respectively. There's a heated battle at left guard between returning starter Claude Terrell and promising second-year man Richie Incognito. Incognito spent last season on injured reserve. Larry Turner, Todd Steussie and Blaine Saiapia provide depth.

Defense: This is the unit that must improve if the Rams have a chance at a winning mark. The defense was ugly, unmotivated and lost in 2005 and it showed in the stats as well as on the field. St. Louis ranked 30th in total defense, 31st in points given up and 31st against the run. Linehan realized the situation and made the defense a priority in free agency, the draft and by the hiring of the fiery Haslett.

Leonard Little (56 tackles, 9.5 sacks) and Anthony Hargrove (51 tackles, 6.5 sacks) return at defensive end. Hargrove needs to develop more discipline to help Little. He was caught out of position quite a bit last season and looked lost in certain situations. Brandon Green and rookie Victor Adeyanju are backups. Damione Lewis and Ryan Pickett, two first round draft choices in 2002, were sent packing and free agent La'Roi Glover (three sacks) and underachiever Jimmy Kennedy (33 tackles, three sacks) are the new starters. Free agent Jason Fisk and rookie Claude Wroten will press for playing time.

The big free agent acquisition for St. Louis in the offseason was getting Will Witherspoon from the Carolina Panthers. Witherspoon (119 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two picks) is one of the best young linebackers in the league and should help the Rams immediately. He's being moved from his normal outside position to middle linebacker. Pisa Tinoisamoa (94 tackles, two interceptions) is solid at weakside linebacker. Brandon Chillar (52 tackles) and free agent Raonall Smith will battle for the strongside spot. Dexter Coakley (38 tackles, two sacks), a starter last season, will back up Tinoisamoa.

The secondary suffered through the loss of both starting cornerbacks in 2005 and the results were obvious - they struggled. Jerametrius Butler missed the entire season, while Travis Fisher was lost for eight games. Both are healthy, but will be challenged for their jobs by free agent Fakhir Brown and top draft pick, Tye Hill. DeJuan Groce, an emergency starter last season, and Dwight Anderson will fight for a roster spot. Adam Archuleta and Mike Furrey are gone so two new starters will be plugged in at safety. Free agent Corey Chavous (71 tackles, two interceptions) is set at strong safety. Ron Bartell, moved from corner, and O.J. Atogwe are fighting for the free safety spot. Jerome Carter is a hard-hitting reserve.

Special Teams: Another area in flux with major changes. The one constant is Jeff Wilkins. 'Money' as he's known by teammates had another exceptional season in 2005 with 117 points, 27-31 field goals and 36-36 extra points. Free agents Matt Turk and Andy Groom are in competition to replace the departed Bryan Barker at punter. Looker (8.6) or rookie Marques Hagans will returns punts, while the kick return spot is open. Free agent Brad Pyatt is the favorite for the job.

Outlook: Linehan has a strong offensive mind. There isn't much dropoff, if any, with Martz gone. He took a pathetic Dolphins offense and made it a potent one and he has more talent to work with here than he did in Miami. Haslett is the kind of aggressive, demanding coach this defense needs after last seasons debacle with outmanned Larry Marmie in charge. If everyone stays healthy, the offense will score points. It's not the "Greatest Show on Turf" but it's still pretty good. Bulger is the best quarterback no one talks about, Jackson is a physical presence with hands and the receiving corps is second to none, except maybe the Cardinals and Colts. The major problem is the veteran players must learn a new system and the defense must learn to gel with six or possibly eight new starters. Make no mistake, there will be growing pains.

Prediction: The Rams are better than their 6-10 record would indicate. The team was decimated by injuries last year, the turmoil of the Martz soap opera with management and a lack of fundamental coaching. If the defense can come together and the offense stays healthy, this team could be a surprise in the NFC. Linehan is a players coach and will get the best he can from a team that has worlds of talent on offense, but is a little behind on defense. St. Louis will finish 8-8 or 9-7.

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