THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: The Rams obviously had many deficiencies last season as they limped to a 2-14 record. But if you had to zoom in on one area and say “this MUST be much better” in 2009 if the Rams have any hope of really improving, what would it be? Offensive line, defense in general, quarterback play, staying healthy at RB? Or would it be something different altogether?

BILL COATS
The offensive line is the key. For the Rams to mount an offense that can complement what should be an improved, but probably not a top-shelf defense, QB Marc Bulger must be protected and RB Steven Jackson must have room to run. If they are neutralized, the Rams have little hope for success.

BRYAN BURWELL
Without question, THE most significant area that must improve is the offensive line. Protect the quarterback and open large holes for SJ39.

KATHLEEN NELSON
Hate to be hackneyed, but it all starts up front. Improved play by the offensive line opens holes for Steven Jackson and closes the holes around Marc Bulger.

REID LAYMANCE
Straightening up the plants at Rams Park wasn’t the answer for Jim Haslett’s interim regime. One of the tenets of the Patriots success, is that it all starts in the middle, on both sides of the ball, and works its way outside. So, knowing the Rams need help everywhere, I’d go in order: Defensive line, offensive line, linebacker, quarterback, running back.

ROGER HENSLEY
It’s obviously not the popular opinion here, but I feel winning football games begins and ends with a stingy defense. Last season, opponents seemingly ran through and threw over the Rams defense at will. Not only does that demoralize the defense, but it has the same impact on an offense that, in turn, feels like it must score 30 points or more to have any chance at winning. Not to mention, a bad defense will consistently leave an offense fighting an uphill battle in terms of field position. The Rams need to get mean. They need a defense with an identity. And maybe, just maybe, once in awhile the defense can even steal a game for them. But a defense that continues to take on water the way the Rams have in recent years will sink any chance this team has at turning things around in the near future.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Of the five current finalists for the Rams head coaching position (Jim Haslett, Steve Spagnuolo, Rex Ryan, Leslie Frazier, Jason Garrett), who would you consider to be the front-runner for the position and why?

JIM THOMAS
Too close to call. General manager Billy Devaney has played his cards very close to the vest during the search process. But if you’re going by who Devaney has known the longest and probably knows the best, it’s Steve Spagnuolo.

BERNIE MIKLASZ
If Steve Spagnuolo wants their job, the Rams should hire him. He’s an excellent motivator who commands respect. He developed as a strategist under Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, the best in the league. And teams that have hired former N.Y. Giants defensive coordinators as their head coach have been pleased with the results: Tom Landry, Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick and John Fox all ran the Giants defense before ascending to the head-coach level.

BILL COATS
At this point, I don’t think there is a true front-runner. But I do think Steve Spagnuolo is in a good position, based on his long relationship with Billy Devaney and his strong reputation around the league. He was probably the “hottest” head-coaching candidate when the process began, and he’ll be hard to bypass.

JEFF GORDON
My favorite is Rex Ryan. Unfortunately for the Rams, Ryan appears to top the New York Jets’ wish list — and New York trumps St. Louis. So we’ll see. Jim Haslett sold me on the idea of upgrading the defense and building the offense around Steven Jackson. Ryan could make that happen AND bring fresh eyes to this leadership position. Ryan has more than paid his coaching dues. He has proven he can be a team guy and work within an organizational framework. And yet he has the charisma to rally all the Rams workers and become the new face of this franchise.

BRYAN BURWELL
I would assume based on what public comments we’ve gleaned from GM Billy Devaney that Steve Spagnuolo is the guy. But it’s hard to say what will happen once Spagnuolo gets in the room in Los Angeles.

KATHLEEN NELSON
Steve Spagnuolo. A quick check of headlines showed that “Spagnuolo” popped up far more in our archives than any of the rest since the search began — and he wasn’t even available to talk. He and Devaney go way back, so Devaney has to know that they are on the same page. Plus, he’s finally available. The anticipation has built, as if he’s the last present you open Christmas morning.

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MIDDAY NEWS AND THOUGHTS

THE ROCKET’S RED GLARE: That glare would be the spotlight of a grand jury’s probe into Roger Clemens’ alleged “extensive” use of steroids. According to the New York Daily News, after considering evidence that one source called “overwhelming,” prosecutors are expected to ask the grand jurors to indict the Rocket on perjury charges.

Sure, some of us like to poke fun at Mark McGwire’s testimony before Congress (I did so in this space just yesterday), but McGwire may end up being the smartest of them all when it comes to this whole performance-enhancing mess. His refusal to “talk about the past” may be the one thing that keeps him out of grand jury’s crosshairs … something others such as Barry Bonds and Clemens are finding increasingly harder to do.

THE NEXT BLUES CAPTAIN: Alright, Blues fans, I need some help with a running dialogue I’m having with a friend about who will step up to become the St. Louis Blues next captain. This discussion is not based on any discontent with current captain Eric Brewer, so I’m not interested in another diatribe on that topic. More so, we’re looking a couple years down the line to see which Blue is most likely to personify this team and rise to the challenge of leading the club.

To me, of the guys currently on the ice there are two obvious names in the discussion: T. J. Oshie and Barret Jackman. Oshie’s young and has seen somewhat limited ice time this year due to injuries, but there’s no denying the sheer ability of Furnace Face and the effort he brings to the ice. And don’t discount him just because he’s young. Jonathan Toews is already the captain of the Blackhawks and he won’t be 21 until April. Oshie turned 22 in December. There’s a lot to be said for a guy who brings Oshie’s energy to every shift.

Jackman … remember when he was a budding young defensive star? And remember how his star seemed to fall from grace? Injuries played a large role in Jackman’s downturn in performance in recent seasons, but he has really lifted his play this year while surrounded by a ton of youngsters due to the team’s rash of injuries. And Jackman has become a major presence in the locker room and a stand-up guy with the media. He’s already got the “A” on his jersey, does it make sense he takes the next step?

And now for my darkhorse … David Backes. My appreciation for Backes’ overall game grows more and more as we get into this season. He goes into the corners, he hits as much as any forward in the league and, now … finally … he scores, too. There’s no denying Backes’ presence on the ice. I commend the Blues for stepping up and matching the offer sheet made on Backes this past offseason. Am I out of my mind thinking he could don the “C” someday for this club?

I know it may seem careless to leave Erik Johnson out of this discussion and he may be the obvious choice when the time comes, but for now I’m focusing on guys who are actually on the ice. Still, if you think Johnson’s the man, let me know. I’d really like to hear from fans of the team on which player you think will rise to the top and become the future captain.

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SOMETHING TO PONDER

DO NFL TEAMS REALLY NEED A BAILOUT? The Associated Press is reporting that as one of his final acts, former Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt signed off on $25 million in state tax credits for the Kansas City Chiefs to aid in renovations at Arrowhead Stadium and to help subsidize the Chiefs training camp move to Missouri Western State University.

It’s funny how life circumstances can change one’s perspective. I’m such a sports-lover that once upon a time I allowed myself to be pulled along by a ring in my nose in thinking states and cities needed to do whatever possible to keep teams in town. But in our current economy — where many people already have lost their jobs and many pray to hold onto the one’s they’ve got — do our government entities really need to be giving handouts to billionaire owners? Doesn’t the Average Joe already pay enough in admission prices and concession ransom to help professional teams? Do they really need our tax dollars, too?

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STAT OF THE DAY

625 — That’s how many $40,000-a-year jobs could be saved or created with $25 million.

THE WATERCOOLER

Question: Assuming the Rams open up a coaching search after this season, are there any candidates out there with no previous head coaching experience in the NFL that you think should be considered?

BERNIE MIKLASZ
There are lots of attractive candidates out there and the smart teams will find them. Some names to watch are Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Cardinals offensive line coach Russ Grimm, Titans offensive line coach Mike Munchack, Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and the intriguing 32-year-old Raheem Morris, who coaches the Bucs defensive backs. Spagnuolo will look for a better job than the Rams gig but Billy Devaney will be able to put together a good list. Devaney was a part of the process that led to the Falcons hiring of Mike Smith.

JIM THOMAS
Jim Schwartz of Tennessee is one of the league’s most respected defensive coordinators and his Titans play a physical, aggressive style. Smart, media savvy, and a big statistics guy, he’s at a point in his career where he’s ready for the next step.

BILL COATS
The “hot” candidates are defensive coordinators Steve Spagnuolo of the Giants and Jim Schwartz of the Titans. But the Rams already tried that with Scott Linehan, and we’ve seen the results. They need an experienced, steady hand to try to sort out the mess at Rams Park.

JEFF GORDON
My candidate is Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. I’ve talked to him quite a bit, since since his brother Jim Ryan is involved in my KFNS radio show. Family ties could make Rex interested in this job while others would pass. He has a strong track record and lots of polish. (His brother Rob Ryan, d-coordinator in Oakland, is more like their combative father Buddy). Rex grew up in the game. He has seen the good, bad and ugly of the business. Brian Schottenheimer fits that mold, too — especially if the Rams hired his father Marty to fill a Bill Parcells-like role in the organization. Brian did time here early in his coaching career, so he knows the landscape.

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MIDDAY THOUGHTS

We’re going single topic on you today, folks, because I want to dig a little deeper into the question above I asked of the writers. Please bear with me and don’t hesitate to tell me if you think I’m off my rocker.

SO YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A NEW HEAD COACH: All the talk recently about whether or not Jim Haslett should be brought back as Rams head coach next season got me to thinking about the NFL coaching ranks. Haslett may or may not be a good head coach, but I must point out that his overall record with the Saints was far from stellar and the guy who came in to replace him found success there immediately.

But what I really wanted to know is this: Is it a good thing to bring in guys who have had previous head coaching experience in the league to turn a team around, or “retreads” as they’re often called, or better to go outside the box and find a coach on the rise from elsewhere?

Sure, who wouldn’t want Bill Cowher. But that’s not going to happen here. And is Marty Schottenheimer really the guy to light a fire under the troops at Rams Park? Oh, yeah, and there was also the early calls to bring back Dick Vermeil. Puh-leeze.

All one has to do is to take a look around the league to see that opportunities for fresh blood can bring instant results, and coaches who motivate and lead can achieve immediate success. Below is just a few examples of recent history to chew on, with the coach, the year he took over, the experience he brought, the team he inherited from his predecessor and what he’s done since taking over:

MIKE TOMLIN – PITTSBURGH STEELERS, 2007
Tomlin came to Pittsburgh in 2007 after serving as the Vikings defensive coordinator in 2006. Tomlin’s resume included no head coaching experience at any level.

2006: Head coach, Bill Cowher. Record: 8-8
2007: Tomlin goes 10-6 and takes the Steelers to the playoffs.
2008: Steelers are 11-3 and already have clinched the AFC North.

MIKE SMITH – ATLANTA FALCONS, 2008
Smith took over a hapless Falcons team after serving from 2003-07 as defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had no previous head coaching experience.

2007: Head coach, Bobby Petrino/Emmitt Thomas. Record: 4-12
2008: Smith has the Falcons at 9-5 and competing for the NFC South, and this while starting a rookie quarterback in Matt Ryan.

JOHN HARBAUGH – BALTIMORE RAVENS, 2008
Harbaugh was the Eagles special teams coach from 1998-2006 and served as the secondary coach in 2007. He, too, had no previous head coaching experience.

2007: Head coach, Brian Billick. Record: 5-11
2008: Harbaugh has the Ravens at 9-5 and in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Oh, and did I mention that he’s doing it with a rookie QB, also?

ERIC MANGINI – NEW YORK JETS, 2006
Mangini came to the Jets after serving with the Patriots as defensive backs coach from 2000-04 and as defensive coordinator in 2005. No previous head coaching experience.

2005: Head coach, Herm Edwards. Record: 4-12
2006: Mangini leads the Jets to 10-6 and an AFC Wild Card appearance.
2007: Record falls to 4-12.
2008: Playing in one of football’s toughest divisions, has the Jets at 9-5 and contending for division title.

KEN WHISENHUNT – ARIZONA CARDINALS, 2007
Served as offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh from 2004-06. No previous head coaching experience.

2006: Head coach, Dennis Green. Record: 5-11
2007: Whisenhunt gets the Big Red to a .500 record at 8-8.
2008: In Year Two, Whisenhunt already has clinched the NFC West with an 8-6 record.

MIKE McCARTHY – GREEN BAY PACKERS, 2006
McCarthy came to the Packers after having served as the offensive coordinator in New Orleans from 2000-04 and in San Francisco in 2005. No previous head coaching experience.

2005: Head coach, Mike Sherman. Record: 4-12.
2006: McCarthy leads Packers to 8-8 record and they miss playoffs on a tiebreaker.
2007: Pack goes 13-3 in McCarthy’s second season, advancing all the way to the NFC Championship game where they fall 23-20 to eventual Super Bowl champion Giants.
2008: Comes back to earth in a 5-9 season.

TONY SPARANO – MIAMI DOLPHINS, 2008
Ah, the only coach on this list with previous head coaching experience … at the University of New Haven from 1994-98. Came to Dolphins after serving as assistant head coach/offensive line with Dallas in 2007.

2007: Head coach, Cam Cameron. Record: 1-15.
2008: Sparano has sparked the biggest turnaround in the league this year, leading the Dolphins to a 9-5 record … tied with Jets and Pats for AFC East lead.

SEAN PAYTON – NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, 2006
Payton came to the Saints after serving as assistant head coach/passing game coordinator with the Cowboys. No previous head coaching experience.

2005: Head coach, Jim Haslett. Record: 3-13
2006: In his first season Payton leads Saints to 10-6 record, an NFC South crown and a trip to the NFC Championship, where they lose to the Bears.
2007: Team falls back to 7-9.
2008: Sitting at 7-7, but still one of the funnest offenses to watch in the league.

The above examples come with a caveat … almost all of the aforementioned teams have a relatively stable front office. And, yes, I’ll even include the Arizona Cardinals now that Michael Bidwell seems to be making more of the calls than his father, Bill Bidwell. There are plenty of examples of young head coaches failing, and recently, but you can point to a dysfunctional front office in many of those instances.

To wit: Did Scott Linehan (or Haslett for that matter) stand much of chance with the Rams front-office situation? And perhaps Cam Cameron wouldn’t have been a 1-15 head coach for the Dolphins last year had he been lucky enough to have Bill Parcells in place as the Executive Vice President of Football Operations. Mike Nolan was doomed from the beginning as the Niners have been a mess due to the York family for years now. And don’t even get me started on Lane Kiffin and Oakland. The good (Art Shell), the bad (Kiffin) and the ugly (Norv Turner … how does this guy keep getting jobs, period?) couldn’t find a way to be successful under the reign of terror known as Al Davis.

But the point is this: As Rams fans look to next season and beyond when calling for a new head coach, perhaps it’s better to look for the next great coach rather than simply settle for the past average coach. Oh, and keep your fingers crossed that whomever the coach is, he’ll have a better situation in the front office to help him out.