THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: With the Rams expected to play their starters the entire first half tonight against Atlanta, what areas of play or specific players will you be watching most closely for signs of improvement for this team?

JIM THOMAS
The Rams were respectable — no, make that more than respectable — on run defense last week against the New York Jets. Can they do it again tonight versus an Atlanta team that has one of the league’s best running games? Better third-down play on both sides of the ball is a must. And the defense must avoid giving up the big play. Individually, No. 2 overall draft pick Jason Smith probably will make his first Rams start at right tackle. How will Kyle Boller do at QB in place of the injured Marc Bulger? What will we see from the wide receiver corps and the backup running backs?

BILL COATS
I plan to watch most closely rookie tackle Jason Smith, who figures to get his first real action against a first-team NFL defense. I also want to see how the competition for the backup spot at running back goes, after Samkon Gado’s big game last week vs. the Jets, and curious to see if any of the healthy wideouts begin to separate from the pack.

JEFF GORDON
There is plenty to watch. Is Kyle Boller a viable alternative to Marc Bulger? We’ll know a lot more about him later tonight. Also, we’re know more about the WR corps. This is a primary concern to fans for obvious reasons. Is Laurent Robinson legit? Can Keenan Burton become a playmaker? Does Ronald Curry have anything left? The return teams will be interesting too. Once the starters leave, I want to see what this team has for depth at safety, offensive tackle and linebacker.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
The play of Jason Smith and the play of the defensive line. Because of Alex Barron’s injury we’re going to see what Smith looks like “running with the 1’s” and I’m very curious to see how that goes. After all, he was the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft and, as such, is a player who should be expected to start. If he plays well tonight perhaps he can elevate his status on the team. If not, well, that would be disappointing.

Atlanta was an outstanding rushing team last year and I’ll be interested in seeing how this Rams team does in that regard after struggling to stop the run the last two seasons. It’ll also be important to see some kind of pressure on passing downs. This team has some players taken very high in the draft who need to start turning into impact players here shortly and tonight would be a good time for those guys to start showing a little something.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Though camp is still in its very early days, who is one offensive player that you think could surprise St. Louis Rams fans this season?

JEFF GORDON
Richie Incognito became a popular target of criticism last year, due to his undisciplined play. But the guy is a beast. I can see Steven Jackson running right behind Incognito and Jason Smith all day. That is a formidable tag team. Sandwiched between the two Jasons — two potential team leaders — Richie could finally come into his own.

BILL COATS
That could be tight end Daniel Fells. He’s knocked Joe Klopfenstein, a former No. 2 draft pick, down the depth chart with his stout play during practice. He has very good hands and is an adept blocker. The only question for Fells is, can he do it on Sundays?

KATHLEEN NELSON
Wide receiver Keenan Burton. He had a few injuries that held him back last year, but he’ll be pushed by the veterans the Rams have signed in the offseason, especially Laurent Robinson and Ronald Curry.

ROGER HENSLEY
Can you call a team’s No. 1 wide receiver a surprise? Given just one year of experience — and that being on a team that had trouble moving the ball through the air last season — I’d say yes. So I’ll go with Donnie Avery. His numbers as a rookie weren’t bad — 53 catches for 674 yards and three TDs. But that was with Torry Holt lining up on the other side of the field to relieve some pressure. Now Avery is being asked to be the man. With Steven Jackson pounding the ball between the tackles with any consistency and if Marc Bulger can get any time in the pocket and rediscover the accuracy he showed just a few years back, Avery should find room to roam through defensive backfields. I believe he’ll be a difference-maker for the Rams this year. Oh, did I mention that Bulger hit Avery for a 50-yard touchdown pass in practice Sunday? Stay tuned.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
Randy McMichael. Before coming to St. Louis he was a significant weapon for the Miami Dolphins, recording 195 catches from 2004-2006. He’s still only 30 years old and he’s got a chance to be the possession guy for Marc Bulger. If he can stay healthy, McMichael could well be the team’s most consistent receiving threat and with his size could also be a top option in the red zone.

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.