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07.28.2009 1:25 pm

Rams’ training camp questions abound

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THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: As training camp gets set to open this week, what do you think is the most important question the Rams need to get answered before the regular season begins?

JIM THOMAS
WHO WILL CATCH THE FOOTBALL? Yes, tight end Randy McMichael is healthy. And certainly running back Steven Jackson will continue to be a pass-catching threat out of the backfield. But even with the recent addition of Ronald Curry, there is next to nothing in experience and proven talent at wide receiver. The Rams must find two starters and a reliable slot receiver among the likes of Curry, Donnie Avery, Keenan Burton, Laurent Robinson, Brooks Foster and Tim Carter. Not exactly, Bruce, Holt, Hakim, and Proehl, is it?

JEFF GORDON
Wow . . . we won’t know where Marc Bulger really is until he starts getting hit for real, so it won’t matter how good he looks in limited preseason action. So I’m most curious about the linebackers. Can these guys give Spags enough to work with? Will Witherspoon should be a beast in this defense, but the Rams could have a rookie at middle linebacker and a journeyman next to him. Also, it’ll be interesting to see if CB Tye Hill can get his career back on track.

BRYAN BURWELL
The single most important question in my mind is whether the upgraded offensive line can protect QB Marc Bulger and keep RB Steven Jackson injury-free.

BILL COATS
Whether the revamped offensive line, with Alex Barron at left tackle, Jason Smith at right tackle and Jason Brown at center, will jell and provide sound protection for Marc Bulger and open lanes for Steven Jackson.

22 comments

Comments are closed.

My Question is when will some send Bulger to AA, If he would not be such a drunk he would not here footsteps

— Buddy
1:45 pm July 28th, 2009

I don’t know how you can evaluate Bulger’s talent level with the talent he has to work with. I remember another signal caller that was run out of town. How did that work out? Give him some time and he will return to his pro bowl form.

— BILL
1:59 pm July 28th, 2009

MY BIG CONCERN IS-WILL THE RAMS FINALLY BE ABLE TOO STOP OTHER TEAMS FROM RUNNING THE FOOTBALL DOWN THEIR THROATS..AND IF BULGER DOESN’T HAVE TIME TOO THROW THE BALL WERE IN FOR ANOTHER BAD YEAR.BUT I BELIEVE IN EVERYTHING THE TEAM HAS DONE TOO TRY AND TURN THE RAMS INTO WINNERS.GO RAMS !!!

— david pryor
2:14 pm July 28th, 2009

If Bulger gets better protection,he will be a better QB. I not asking him to be Kurt Warner, he will never be him. With the lineman the Rams signed, along with moving Barron to his natural position.I think we have taken the steps to make this possible.

— Bighorn Brandon
2:20 pm July 28th, 2009

I have to agree with JT .The receiver corp is a joke.There will be drop balls..running wrong routes..ect..you name it. The Rams need at least another legit WR to be able to compare..Not Curry..he is at best a #3 or worst..Avery is a fast weapon but still ran way too many wrong routes..

— youngRams
2:34 pm July 28th, 2009

I agree completely with Pryor… too many teams simply ran the ball down the Rams throats. I remember drives where the other team would RUN 80 yards in 6 plays, and no Ram would even TOUCH the ballcarrier until he was AT LEAST 10 yards downfield.

I think the offense will be fine, and should be able to run some and hold the football for long drives, which itself will give the defense much needed rest. But the key for the Rams will be the play of their youngest defensive guys… Long, Carriker, Tye Hill, Laurinitis, Ryan, Scott, OJ, etc.

— Mark in NY
2:36 pm July 28th, 2009

It all starts up front! I like what the Rams did to upgrade the O Line by signing C Brown and drafting OT Smith so the oline should be much improved. If the O line can provide time the speedy receivers will come open. You no Jackson will runn hard. The D line has the question marks. Can Carricker and Ryan plug the middle, is Long to small to make an impact, will Little stay healthy enough to be a consistant pass rushing threat?

— LARambunctous29
2:46 pm July 28th, 2009

i agree bulger has to come back to great form but i heard an interview with holt and he said that bulger has one of the most catchable balls in the nfl. I keep hearing how we dont have any mature receivers but they have A LOT of speed and are perfect to compliment our power running game that will be present this year. GO RAMS

— ceebs
3:00 pm July 28th, 2009

LARambunctous29, How can Chris Long possibly be to small to make an impact when he is the same size as Little? I believe Long showed last year what kind of player he will be and will only get better.

— DymondEye
3:13 pm July 28th, 2009

Wide receiver is not that critical. KC used to be an offensive powerhouse with Kennison and Boerigter as their starting wideouts. If the Rams can develop a dominating running attack, the wide receivers will be ok.

— mike
3:50 pm July 28th, 2009

Most important issues for Rams is can they run the ball, and can they stop the run.

— mike
3:51 pm July 28th, 2009

Chuck this off as a learnning season.The Rams need alot more talent and luck to go…..But the hard part is over,Cleanning house…Good luck Rams

— ruraco9
4:52 pm July 28th, 2009

The biggest question is: Will the Rams make it three years in a row in finishing the season with the 2nd overall pick?

With the players the Rams have right now, I would have to say “yes” to that, but, even mediocore players can be made better by a great coaching staff.

So, that next question is: “Can Spags make this team overperform?” - for the answer to that question, we will just have to wait and see.

— Brian
4:54 pm July 28th, 2009

That Little, he’s a KILLER!

— Chocolate Thunder
4:57 pm July 28th, 2009

Ladies and Gents…. This season is already over! Mark B. Has no one to throw the ball too and no one to block for him… every team that we play will stake the line and stuff Steven J, jam our little WR’s at the line, and rund the ball down our throats!… I just hope someone steps up this year that I can get excited about for the future!….. “And with the first pick in 2010 NFL Draft. The St. Louis Rams select….”

— SOLO-_34
5:01 pm July 28th, 2009

It’s all up to the OL. The rest will follow.
The D has to stop somebody….anybody.
Bulger is way down the list of worries.

— old larry
5:39 pm July 28th, 2009

Spags is building a team in the mold of the NFC east and I love it. They may end up 7-9 or 6-10 but they will be in most games. If you are tough on the offensive and defensive lines then you will be in most games. I think the Rams will be the ones jamming the ball down other teams throat for a change this year.

— Celtic Warrior
6:07 pm July 28th, 2009

Well, I see that the NFL Power rankings on SI.COM put the Rams at 32…even below the Lions. No doubt that will motivate the Rams now, and all of us when the season starts, as we see the rankings go up week by week.
This may very well be a building year, but after the last two seasons, I’ll take it. Nothing against Marc Bulger personally, but it kills me seeing him casually trotting off the field after yet another 3-and-out, even when it was short yardage and late in the game. If I was an exhausted defensive lineman having to drag back out there so soon, I think I’d eventually throw something at him.

— Tim M
8:01 pm July 28th, 2009

Karney is a HUGE key.
He could be Bulger and SJs best friend. He has the rep of being a monster blocker, he’ll sure get his chance to show it!

— diggity
8:41 pm July 28th, 2009

just a lil food for thought when vick lead atlanta to the nfc championship game didn’t he have some no name no experienced wr’s and warrik dunn at rb now think if we add vick for 10 to 12 plays a game that can at leat give us 3 or 4 victories by himself and thats more than we had all last season just think about it

— tjustin
8:50 pm July 28th, 2009

SOLO if you are going to be so negative go someplace else. The Rams may end up not being any good, but now is not the time for negativity. I predict 8-8 season and good things for the future. Their defensive backfield could be the best in the league. Barron should know it is now or never for him so he should be better also. GO RAMS

— Tom
11:56 am July 29th, 2009

I dont have anything against Vick but he has no place in st.louis. MB has that qb spot on lock he jus needs better blocking and for these young cats at wide out to step up… 10 YEAR RAM FAN GO RAMS

— MiamiRamFan
6:21 pm July 29th, 2009