THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: If you were Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo, after watching the first two preseason games what would be your biggest area(s) of concern?

JIM THOMAS
If you can’t stop the run, you will not win consistently in the NFL. As a defensive oriented coach, Spagnuolo had to be concerned about the run defense — or lack thereof — against Atlanta. Especially after all those live tackling drills and an entire preseason spent trying to establish an attitude.

BILL COATS
The first-team offense’s inability to score a touchdown so far. Even though that unit was missing several key players Friday vs. the Falcons, it still was in Atlanta territory four times and produced only a single field goal. The week before, the first unit delivered two field goals vs. the Jets. That’s a lot of wasted opportunity and certainly no recipe for success.

JEFF GORDON
Run defense. The offensive line wasn’t great in Week 2, either, but it was missing Jacob Bell and Alex Barron to start the game. The defense had the bulk of its front seven rotation healthy and it couldn’t even slow down the first-unit Atlanta running game. If this team doesn’t improve there, it is looking at double-digit losses again. A LOT of money has been spent on shoring up that D, so it’ll be interesting to watch what happens the next two weeks.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
My biggest concern would be the defensive line and cornerback. I can give the offense a little bit of a break from the last game because they were without their starting QB and two first-team offensive linemen, but the defense was shredded by the Falcons. It’s important to note that the Falcons are a very strong offensive team and they’re going to do that kind of stuff to other teams in the regular season, but without a stout run defense it’s hard for me to see the team improving much. That starts on the line. As for corner, well, it may be time to move on from Tye Hill. If he doesn’t show something Thursday in Cincy this armchair QB would have to bump him down the depth chart a couple of spots.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Rams minicamps run today through Saturday. What impact, if any, will player performances at this minicamp have on the Rams draft later this month? Will the coaches be more closely evaluating areas of need during this period?

JIM THOMAS
It’s one thing to watch a player on tape; quite another to see him in person. Even though the Rams aren’t in full pads over the weekend, watching the players drill and practice in five practices over three days will help coach Steve Spagnuolo and his staff evaluate the current roster. What happens here isn’t going to change how the Rams feel about their needs at offensive tackle and wide receiver, but it could have an impact on how they feel about some positions.

BRYAN BURWELL
Between the OTA’s and this first minicamp, the Rams coaches and front office will have plenty of time to evaluate the veteran talent. This will be the first critical looks in more competitive situations and it will definitely be an evaluation process that will provide plenty of answers about what direction to go in the draft.

BILL COATS
The biggest reason the Rams are having their extra minicamp (you get three instead of the usual two if you have a new coach) now is to further evaluate on-hand personnel in advance of the draft. So, these five practices over three days will have a major impact on their approach come April 25-26.

JEFF GORDON
The new staff is doubtlessly eager to assess young receivers Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton, since they head the depth chart as we speak. Also, a guy who played hurt all last year, Adam Carriker, is an interesting player for the new staff. I’m sure he didn’t impress on tape. Offensive line coach Steve Loney is a holdover from the previous staff, so Steve Spagnuolo should already have the book on inconsistent starters Alex Barron and Jacob Bell. Overall, though, the Rams need help at almost every position. Nothing that happens at the minicamp will change that.

BONUS ROUND:
BERNIE MIKLASZ SHAREs HIS THOUGHTS ON MINICAMP
I want to see the young veterans step up and take control of this team. It’s their time to be the leaders of the new generation of Rams. Chip Rosenbloom, Billy Devaney and Steve Spagnuolo have done their share, so far, to give this franchise a needed makeover. And now it’s the players’ turn. The talented young crew featuring guys such as Steven Jackson, O.J. Atogwe, Ron Bartell, Chris Long and Jacob Bell (to name a few) have to take ownership of the locker room. The same applies to the top free-agent recruits, Jason Brown and James Butler. In particular, I’m intrigued by how all of the changes will affect Steven Jackson. Torry Holt and Orlando Pace are gone, and Leonard Little is on the downside, so to a large extent the Rams are Steven Jackson’s team now. He’s The Franchise. He’s an immense talent. He’s a good person. He has a lively personality. I’d like to see him maximize his talent and persona to emerge as the Rams’ boldest and most constructive leader.