Up next in the team needs features for the draft section are the St. Louis Rams. THN will be filling in all of the needs’ pages throughout April, so keep checking back for your favorite (or least-favorite) team.
St. Louis Rams
2005 Results: 6-10 (2nd place NFC West)
2006 Projected Cap Status: $10,785,000 Under (as of 04/04/06)
2005 Season Recap:
On the surface, finishing second in the NFC West seems like a good season, until you see that they did so with a 6-10 record. The Seahawks ran away with the division, breaking some key trends along the way… including the Rams stranglehold on them.
The Rams had potential going into the season. Stephen Jackson is turning out to be a top back in the league, and the Rams passing attack always has the ability to light up the scoreboard. Unfortunately, their biggest weakness was their defense.
Also having an affect on the poor season, was the upheaval midseason at the head coaching position.
Team Needs:
Cornerback – In today’s NFL, a team must have physical corners that can tackle. The Rams need someone in that mold that can tackle and stay on the field; something they sorely missed last season.
Defensive Line – Since Grant Winstrom left via free agency, the Rams have been unable to replace his ability to disrupt the backfield of opponents. La’Roi Glover will certainly help them against the run as well as in the pass rush, but he’s not the long-term answer, nor a fix-all.
Interior Offensive Line – The Rams have an excellent set of bookend tackles in perennial All-Pro Orlando Pace and young Alex Barron. They will likely address this need early in the draft.
UFA: P Bryan Barker; RB Aveion Cason; CB Terry Fair; DE Tyoka Jackson; LB Jeremy Loyd; QB Jamie Martin; OG Tom Nutten; TE Roland Williams
RFA: WR Kevin Curtis; DE Brandon Green; CB DeJuan Groce; WR Shaun McDonald.
ERFA: CB Dwight Anderson; DT Jeremy Calahan; S Dwaine Carpenter; TE Jerome Collins; DE Clifford Dukes; LB Mike Goolsby.
Players Re-signed: WR Isaac Bruce; LS Chris Massey; OG Blaine Saipaia; QB Jeff Smoker; LB Drew Wahlroos.
Players Acquired: CB Fakhir Brown; S Corey Chavous; RB Tony Fisher; QB Gus Frerotte; DT La'Roi Glover; WR Brad Pyatt; LB Raonall Smith; OT Todd Steussie; P Matt Turk; LB Will Witherspoon.
Players Lost: S Adam Archuleta; LB Chris Claiborne; S Mike Furrey; RB Arlen Harris; CB Corey Ivy; CB Chris Johnson; DT Damione Lewis; OT Matt Morgan; NT Ryan Pickett; OL Rex Tucker.
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