St. Louis Rams 2015 Team Preview:
2014 Record: 6-10 (4th NFC West)
Head Coach: Jeff Fisher (6th season)
Offensive Coordinator: Frank Cignetti (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: Gregg Williams (2nd season)
Key Additions:
QB Nick Foles
RB Todd Gurley (drafted)
DT Nick Fairley
LB Akeem Ayers
The Rams traded and got Foles this past off-season. The Rams and Eagles swapped QB’s and some draft picks. Yours truly would have labeled Sam Bradford as a key loss for the Rams but with the fact that the Rams have Foles now, it's tough to believe Sam Bradford to be that big of a loss. The Rams also drafted RB Todd Gurley. He was cleared to participate in training camp but will not see game action for a long time, maybe not even until the midway point into the season. Gurley has the potential to be an elite running back in the NFL and the Rams will not put him into a game until he is 100% ready.
Defensively, the Rams signed DT Nick Fairley who has struggled with weight in the past but he ended up losing so much weight that the Rams had to put him on a diet that had him increase weight. Being that the Rams signed Fairley to a one-year deal, it’s a “prove it” deal of sorts. If Fairley doesn’t perform this year, his NFL career could be in jeopardy, which should be a huge motivator. And last but not least, Akeem Ayers. Ayers is fresh off of a Super Bowl winning season with the New England Patriots in which he started nine regular season games (he was traded midseason from Tennessee) and all three playoff games for them. He brings a winning mentality and playmaking ability for the Rams at linebacker.
Key Losses:
OT Joe Barksdale
OT Jake Long
C Scott Wells
DT Kendall Langford
These key losses aren’t actually very big losses at all. The Rams decided to cut both Jake Long and Scott Wells. They were both starters for a while but always injured and it was in best interest for the Rams to cut them. Barksdale was solid for the Rams in 2014 and it's quite clear that he is the biggest major loss for the Rams. Kendall Langford earned good money and in such a talented and crowded defensive line of the Rams, they just couldn’t afford to give Langford the money he deserved.
The Biggest Questions Heading Into the 2015 Season
How will the offensive line hold up?
The Rams have a very young offensive line; they drafted four linemen in this years draft and will only have two starters back from last year’s offensive line. There will be some growing pains with the inexperience, but come midseason and the second half of the season and the offensive line could shape up nicely.
Tavon Austin, set to be a stud or a complete dud?
Tavon Austin had a down year last year. But instead of just his play alone, this writer feels the play calling by now former OC Brian Schottenheimer was majorly responsible. He failed to call any screens or end arounds for Austin. Tavon would be lucky to get the ball in his hands more than twice in a game. It’s hopeful that new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti can come up with ways to get Tavon Austin the ball. If he does, Tavon will produce and have a big breakout year.
What can be expected from Todd Gurley?
Gurley passed the conditioning test and was put on the active roster for training camp. But the Rams will not push Gurley to return to action as soon as possible (much like they did for Sam Bradford). It’s a guarantee that Gurley will not play until he is 100% healthy. The Rams spent the 10th overall pick on him in the 2015 NFL Draft. The Rams also have playmaker Tre Mason in the backfield so the Rams have no need to push Gurley into action. Gurley will be eased into action and will probably make his debut around midseason.
2015 Regular Season Schedule:
Sept. 13 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Sept. 20 @ Washington Redskins
Sept. 27 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Oct. 4 @ Arizona Cardinals
Oct. 11 @ Green Bay Packers
Oct. 17 BYE
Oct. 25 vs. Cleveland Browns
Nov. 1 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Nov. 8 @ Minnesota Vikings
Nov. 15 vs. Chicago Bears
Nov. 22 @ Baltimore Ravens
Nov. 29 @ Cincinnati Bengals
Dec. 6 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Dec. 13 vs. Detroit Lions
Dec. 17 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dec. 27 @ Seattle Seahawks
Jan. 3 @ San Francisco 49ers
Record Prediction: 10-6
This is a bold prediction, being that the Rams haven’t had a winning season since 2003. But the Rams have a solid defense and an offense with new pieces and a new Offensive Coordinator in which things will finally come together. The Rams will shock the NFL and make the playoffs for the first time since 2004.