Between now and the 2007 NFL Draft, THN will be taking a look at all of the NFL teams' offseason needs. Up next is the team with the thirteenth overall pick in the draft, the St. Louis Rams.
2006 Results: 8-8 (2nd in NFC West)
2007 Projected Cap Status: $77,020,000 or $31.9 million under the Cap
2006 Season Recap:
First-year coach Scott Linehan had a better year than some people thought he would, but he himself was disappointed with the .500 season. After 10 games and a 4-6 record, Linehan gave up the play-calling to offensive coordinator Greg Olson and the Rams beat the Niners to keep their playoff hopes alive. They lost their next two games and were sitting at 5-8 but amazingly were still in the race for the post season. They won their next three games, but still needed some help from other teams to make it to the postseason. The help never arrived, and the Rams were eliminated from playoff contention.
Team needs:
1. Defensive Line
Upgrading the run defense will be the Rams top priority, but finding defensive linemen that can pressure the quarterback is also very high on their list of needs. Other than Leonard Little, the Rams' linemen generated almost zero pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The defensive unit was forced to blitz simply to hurry the passer.
2. Wide Receiver
St. Louis has one of the best receiving corps in the game but with Kevin Curtis set to hit the free agent market, and starters Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt both on the other side of 30, the team should look at available receivers. They wont spend a high pick at WR but the position will be addressed; if Curtis leaves via free agency, the Rams would not only lose the future replacement for Bruce, but they'd also be without their slot receiver.
3. Linebacker
Will Witherspoon isn't a true middle linebacker so the team may look to move him to the outside considering Brandon Chillar is still developing on one side and Dexter Coakley played inconsistently for most of the year (recorded tackles in only 7 games in 2006). Pisa Tinoisamoa is the best linebacker on the roster but he missed most of last year and the lack of depth showed.
Un-Restricted Free Agents: DE Tony Bryant
S Dwaine Carpenter
WR Kevin Curtis
RB Stephen Davis
RB Tony Fisher
CB Travis Fisher,
DT Jason Fisk
LB Isaiah Kacyvenski
WR Shaun McDonald
FB Paul Smith
LB Raonall Smith
OG Todd Steussie
P Matt Turk
Restricted Free Agents: OG Adam Goldberg
DE Brandon Green
S JR Reed
C Larry Turner
TE Aaron Walker
Check out the full exclusive draft section at www.thehogs.net/Draft.
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