THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Many feel this Sunday’s game vs. Detroit is the Rams best chance of a victory this season. That said, if the Rams are to win, what are the keys to victory Sunday?

JIM THOMAS
The Lions have one of the worst pass defenses known to man. Some way, some how, the Rams’ receiver corps — yes, the Rams’ receiver corps — must exploit this weakness. Mr. Avery, here’s your chance for a breakout Sunday.

BILL COATS
If Calvin Johnson is in the lineup, the Lions are dangerous in the passing game. So, it’s essential that the Rams find a way to get some pressure on the quarterback. Offensively, the Rams should be able to move the ball against a medicore defense. They need to finish drives in the end zone instead of settling for field goals or, even worse, committing critical turnovers.

JEFF GORDON
Even with the loss of cornerback Bradley Fletcher, the Rams have enough defense to win this game. But . . . the Rams absolutely, positively have to ATTACK THE LIONS DOWN THE FIELD. If they come out firing and keep firing, they can create room for Steven Jackson. And they will actually score touchdowns! Of course, Marc Bulger can’t throw pick sixes while attacking the Lions. That would not be good.

KATHLEEN NELSON
The passing game needs to get going. Donnie Avery needs to shake off his injury assortment and catch a couple passes. Marc Bulger needs to regain his accuracy. A better passing game should open up the running game for Steven Jackson. On defense, someone needs a game-changing takeaway. The defense needs to muster more effective pressure on the QB. Chris Long would quiet his critics by doing the big, visible, obvious things in a big, visible, obvious way. Maybe a sack or two.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Do you believe the Rams’ troubles are due simply to a talent deficiency, or would you have expected more progress from this group as they near the halfway point of coach Steve Spagnuolo’s first season?

BERNIE MIKLASZ
Both. This is the worst roster in the NFL. But even where there is talent, the Rams don’t utilize it properly. One example: giving Steven Jackson only five touches in the second half of the Jacksonville game. (And ignoring Jackson at times in other games.) Another example: not playing No. 2 overall draft pick Jason Smith at left offensive tackle, where he belongs, from the time he checked into camp. And what’s up with this three-man rotation at OT? A third example: as a rookie DE, Chris Long was better in the pass rush than he’s been in this, his second season. Why has he regressed? Isn’t the pass rush supposed to be a Spagnuolo specialty?

JEFF GORDON
The Rams ARE horrible, make no mistake about it. But there are a lot of bad teams in the NFL this season and the others have found a way to win a game. If these coaches can’t find a way to win a game here or there while rebuilding, why would the next owner want any part of them? Everybody working at Rams Park today must realize that would-be owners are paying attention.

KATHLEEN NELSON
Few problems in life have simple solutions. The Rams’ talent at wide receiver has been depleted and not replenished over the last three years. Marc Bulger has yet to achieve the level of proficiency that led to two Pro Bowl appearances. Injuries also have set back the team’s progress. The players are learning a new system, and the coaching staff has endured growing pains. Five lopsided losses must be discouraging to fans, though.

BILL COATS
Obviously, the Rams’ talent pool is very shallow. Still, I did think that by this point, they’d have a couple of wins. I actually thought 7-9 was possible before the season began. That’s probably not going to happen.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
Count me in the group that believes that it’s as simple as not having enough good players. The things Spags is trying to implement have worked extremely well in Philadelphia and New York so there’s no reason they wouldn’t work here if they can get the right players. 99 percent of the time it’s talent that wins in pro sports. Bill Belichick was known as “Beli-choke” when he was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns and he got run out of town. Since he took over in New England and had a team with some talent he’s now an NFL “genius” with his own family of coaching assistants who are now running their own teams at the college and pro level. I don’t know if Steve Spagnuolo will be a difference maker as head coach or not, but that’s because there’s no way to determine that until the talent on the squad is upgraded significantly.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: The Rams had just one rushing first down and a total of 55 yards on the ground Sunday. This against a Jacksonville defense that was ranked 18th in the league coming into the game. What happened to the Rams run game Sunday?

JIM THOMAS
True, Jacksonville was 18th in run defense, but they were a top 10 team in yards per carry allowed. So you knew the rushing yards wouldn’t come easy. But you’ve still got to try. Jacksonville kept pounding away with Maurice Jones-Drew, and he ended up with 100 yards-plus and saw some key runs down the stretch. Especially with Donnie Avery out, there’s no excuse for not using Steven Jackson more in the second half.

BILL COATS
The blocking up front was poor, affording Jackson little room to operate. Also, Rams OC Pat Shurmur called almost twice as many pass plays as he did runs — 35-18. That wasn’t a bad strategy, however, since the Jaguars ranked 30th in the league in pass defense.

JEFF GORDON
Once Donnie Avery got hurt, the Rams showed little interest in throwing the ball downfield. Once they decided to attack only a portion of the field, the Jaguars could load up against the run without concern and outnumber the Rams blockers. If this team can’t mount a halfway decent downfield aerial threat, Jackson will find little running room from here on out.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Given time in the pocket, do you think Marc Bulger is capable of rediscovering the accuracy that marked his play earlier in his career?

BERNIE MIKLASZ
When Bulger was at his best, 2006, he was throwing to Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce and Kevin Curtis. And Steven Jackson was having a career year in the backfield. The last time the Rams won a playoff game, 2004, Bulger not only had Holt, Bruce and Jackson, but Marshall Faulk also contributed 1,000+ yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving). If the quality around Bulger is above-average, he can be an efficient quarterback. And there’s no doubt his completion percentage would go up. But he’s not the type of QB who can elevate a team. He needs the cast around him.

JIM THOMAS
Sure. But it pays to have receivers that can consistently gain separation and get open. And that obviously hasn’t always been the case this season with a young, unproven receiving corps.

BILL COATS
He’s very accurate in practice, when pressure isn’t being applied. So, you’d have to assume that he could be accurate on Sundays if protected. It also would help him if the Rams had a more formidable stable of receivers.

JEFF GORDON
Accuracy from the pocket will not be a problem for Marc IF the Rams protect him. He will make some nice throws. But will the offensive game plan allow him to attack opponents with those mid-range passes he can hit all day? Also, will his lack of mobility prevent him from succeeding on the roll-out and bootleg passes that Kyle Boller throws so well? Those questions will remain even if the offensive line can build a sturdy pocket for him.

KATHLEEN NELSON
Time in the pocket isn’t enough to revive the passing game. The Rams need reliable receivers as well as improved pass protection.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
I suppose it’s possible but a lot of that accuracy early in his career was the product of having top-shelf receivers. Those guys caught everything they were supposed to and then caught some more just for good measure. More time to see a play develop is always going to help but having proven, Pro Bowl caliber receivers like Holt and Bruce had as much to do with those high completion percentages as the amount of time Bulger had to throw the ball. More time to throw would benefit Bulger, no doubt, but more time and more talent at wide receiver would be the only way to do a true comparison between Bulger now and Bulger back then.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: The Rams are 0-4 and have the Minnesota Vikings coming to town this weekend. After that the Rams travel to Jacksonville, host Indianapolis and travel to Detroit. Do you see the Rams getting a win before their bye in Week 9? If so, where do you think it will come?

JIM THOMAS
I don’t know where the win comes from. Whether the Rams played Green Bay, Minnesota, Indianapolis or New Orleans, home, away or in Saskatchewan, the result’s probably the same: A loss. But what could be winnable games at home, such as Jacksonville and Detroit, are on the road, where its’ always more difficult to win under any circumstances. (The Sept. 20 game at Washington would also fall into this category.) So the schedule works against the Rams. And at 6 points a game in scoring, the Rams might have to pitch a shutout to end their losing streak.

BILL COATS
No, I see the Rams getting their first win right after the bye week, with a big upset of the Saints. There’s precedence: two years ago, the Rams were 0-8 and won at New Orleans after their bye. So, why can’t history repeat itself?

JEFF GORDON
After watching the massive Week 4 regression, it is hard to feel optimistic about the Rams’ chances in any professional football. Since the Rams apparently have no ability to throw the ball down the field, opponents will gang-tackle Steven Jackson until he breaks down. I believed this team had a chance to win a half-dozen games back before the injuries hit and the losses mounted. Now I cannot see them winning a game before the bye.

KATHLEEN NELSON
The only chance on paper appears to be in Detroit. To win on the road, though, the Rams’ defense must continue to improve and come up with a turnover or two or three. The offensive line remains the key on the other side. Until it improves and protects the QB, the offense will be too one-dimensional, relying only on Steven Jackson.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
I don’t see a win happening before the bye, but then again, I don’t think any of us saw them beating Dallas last year either. Strange things happen in football so the Rams could prove me wrong, but until they stop shooting themselves in the foot game after game it’s hard to predict a win for the home team. The best chance for a win looks like the game at Detroit but even the Lions are scoring some points. Before I can feel good about a potential win, I’d have to see some signs of life on offense.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: With the injuries mounting quickly at key positions, who must step up for the Rams right away for them to have any chance against San Francisco this weekend?

JIM THOMAS
The Rams absolutely, positively have to get their passing game going. That means Donnie Avery must step up, and Kyle Boller, too. On defense, it’s up to the front seven to keep Frank Gore’s replacement, Glen Coffee, from beating them on the ground.

BILL COATS
Here they are, in alphabetical order: Donnie Avery, Ron Bartell, Kyle Boller, Josh Brown, Keenan Burton, Craig Dahl, Steven Jackson, Donnie Jones, James Laurinaitis, Leonard Little, Chris Long and Randy McMichael. Seriously . . . the Rams will need to get solid outings from all their most vital performers. Their margin for error is razor-thin.

KATHLEEN NELSON
Keenan Burton. The 49ers will be keying on Steven Jackson, so a receiver will need to make a few plays to keep the defense honest. Burton has just six receptions and to this point has contributed less than the other 2008 draft choice, Donnie Avery. A big game from either would help loosen the 49ers’ defense, though.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
There is no one person who needs to step up, at least in my mind, but there is a unit that needs to step up: the offensive line. The best chance the Rams have at winning this weekend in San Francisco is controlling the line of scrimmage and pounding the Niners with their best player, Steven Jackson. If they can’t run the ball — and do so with authority — the Rams won’t win.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: The Rams are 0-2 and the schedule offers no relief in the near future. The Packers (1-1) come to town this weekend, then the Rams have to travel to San Francisco to take on the division-leading Niners (2-0) before coming home again to face the 2-0 Vikings. Do you see any chance that this team doesn’t begin the season at 0-5? If so, what has to happen?

BERNIE MIKLASZ
It’s up to the lines. The Rams offensive line has too many breakdowns that kill drives and scoring chances. The defensive line has one sack in two games and is doing nothing to disrupt the QB. As long as the Rams continue to get slapped around up front, the losing will continue. They need better game management from the coaches. And someone — anyone — has to step up and make some plays. There is a critical shortage of playmakers on this team.

JIM THOMAS
I’m not saying that it will happen, but anything can happen in this league. Ask Pittsburgh. Ask Green Bay. Ask New England. Ask Tennessee. But for the Rams to spring an upset in the next few weeks, they need more productiion from their offense, and fewer mistakes overall.

BILL COATS
The Packers just lost at home to the Bengals, so they certainly don’t look unbeatable. And I’m not sold on the 49ers just yet. So, I think those two games are winnable. Of course, that’s predicated on the the Rams being better — maybe a lot better — than they’ve shown so far.

JEFF GORDON
To win a game, the Rams must muscle up on both lines. The franchise has invested plenty in its linemen and we saw some progress on that front during Sunday’s physical game. The defensive front must establish a pass rush without blitz help. If it can do that, it will allow the Rams to be more effective when they do blitz. The front seven must also toughen up against the run. On the offensive side, the Rams must continue improving its run blocking and pass protection. Pound Steven Jackson on the ground and through the air, eat up some clock, force some more turnovers on the defensive side — the Rams CAN win a game by making some basic improvements.

KATHLEEN NELSON
A victory will be tough, but I suspect the coaching staff knew that coming into the season. It all starts up front. Marc Bulger needs better protection, and the run defense, particularly in the front, needs to step it up. If the Rams improve in those two areas, they level the playing field a bit and give themselves a chance Any Given Sunday.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
Well, there’s always a chance they could win one of the next three games but I don’t think it’s likely. The Packers and Vikings are clearly better teams than the Rams and it’s hard for me to see them dropping a game to the offensively challenged Rams. The home team’s best shot to win one of the next three will be in San Francisco, even though the Niners are off to a solid start. Mike Singletary is doing good things in the Bay Area but I still don’t trust Shaun Hill at QB and a weakness like that to exploit (QB) is what the Rams would need to pull off the upset. This may not please a certain segment of the fans, or the Rams’ coaching staff for that matter, but this is a building year and whether these guys win from week to week isn’t what matters. What’s important is that the franchise gets progressively better as the season goes on regardless of what their record is.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: It’s been three years since Steven Jackson totaled 2,300+ yards rushing and receiving back in 2006. Two injury-marred seasons later, does Jackson still belong in the discussion as one of the game’s top running backs?

JIM THOMAS
WIthout a doubt. Jackson levels the playing field for the Rams. He’s one of only three NFL running backs with at least four straight seasons of 1,000-yard rushing yards entering 2009. (The others: Thomas Jones of the New York Jets and LaDainan Tomlinson of San Diego.) Jackson just needs to stay healthy. In each of the past two seasons, he has missed four games entirely and most of a fifth because of injury.

BERNIE MIKLASZ
Here are the stats: over the past three seasons, Jackson is 5th in the NFL in rushing yards, 4th in yards from scrimmage. That’s a Top 5 running back. But Jackson’s star power has dropped, nationally, for a couple of reasons. Primarily it’s health and the perception that he misses a lot of time because of injuries. (He has missed games, but the same is true of most RBs; only four backs had more rushing attempts than Jackson from 2006-2008). But as former NFL personnel guy Michael Lombardi said at The National Football Post, Jackson is a blue-chip talent who doesn’t have blue-chip durability. Moreover, Jackson’s employer has been so hopelessly bad over the last couple of years, it’s lowered his profile. Other backs — such as Steve Slaton in Houston — get more attention now. Jackson should reclaim that Top 5 status this season.

BILL COATS
No question that he does. Although he missed a total of eight games during 2007 and ’08, he topped 1,000 yards rushing both seasons and averaged 4.2 yards per carry. That’s only a bit off his ’06 pace of 4.4 yards per carry. Plus, he remained a receiving threat out of the backfield, with 78 catches. Jackson’s still the same guy; he just needs to stay healthy.

JEFF GORDON
A lot of top backs, like Jamal Lewis and Thomas Jones, are getting some miles on them. Others are having to share the load as more teams go with a two- or even a three-back arrangement. So, yes, Jackson is in the top six or seven RBs in the league. Despite his injuries he has stacked up 1,000-yard seasons. He is also one of the elite pass-catching backs in the NFL. He may never meet the expectations fans have for him, but he’s still superior to all but a few backs in the league.

BRYAN BURWELL
When healthy, Jackson certainly does belong in the conversation of the game’s top backs. He’s big, fast, strong and elusive, and he is in the best shape of his life and in a new offense that will highlight those skills.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
Absolutely, yes. None of the injuries he’s dealt with have been the serious kind that saps a player of his abilities over time — no knee reconstructions or anything like that — and when healthy he’s the Rams player other teams scheme against. He’s still big and he’s still fast so if the Rams line can open up some holes for him he’s going to have a monster season in ’09. To me the only concern with Jackson is whether or not the players around him will be good enough to give him a chance to post big numbers. He’s one of the Top 5 running backs in the NFL.

ROGER HENSLEY
One of the game’s better running backs? Sure. One of the games elite? I’m not so sure. I can think of at least a handful of runners that I’d rather have on my team than Steven Jackson. That list would include: Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte, Michael Turner, DeAngelo Williams and perhaps even Maurice Jones-Drew. And if you’re talking about this season only, I might even take old-timers like LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook over Jackson. If the question were is Jackson one of the game’s most-talented running backs, that would change my answer. I believe he is that. But his inability to stay on the field the past two seasons has to knock him down a few pegs in my book.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Many believe the third preseason game to be the most important of these exhibition matches as most starters don’t play much in the fourth and final game. The Rams obviously have a number of areas they are still trying to shore up. With that in mind, who is one player you will be watching very closely tomorrow night and why is that player’s performance vital to the success of this year’s Rams?

BERNIE MIKLASZ
I want to see how the defensive tackles play. I can’t single out one guy; all of them are on the spot as far as I’m concerned. This team will be virtual waxpaper against the run unless, and until, it can find DTs who are big enough, wide enough, strong enough, and tough enough to win the interior battles. The Rams have some solid (or better) linebackers. But the Rams LBs will get mauled, just like last year, if the defensive line (and especially the tackles) can’t stop the stampede of blockers. Atlanta absolutely bullied these people in the second preseason game; let’s see if they can put up some resistance in Cincinnati.

BILL COATS
I’ll be keeping an eye on Tye Hill. He’s trying to come back from two injury-shortened seasons and also hoping to prove that the Rams didn’t make a mistake when they drafted him in the first round in 2006. If Hill falters, the Rams will have to make a major secondary adjustment, and that certainly won’t help a rebuilding defense.

JEFF GORDON
I am watching two players: Jason Smith and Chris Long. As second overall picks, they must become difference makers for this team. So far that hasn’t happened. It’s early for Smith, but his inability to run block with any consistency last week was disappointing. We all understand it will take time to develop pass blocking skills at this level, but he ought to run block right out of the box. As for Long, he needs to become a Pro Bowl defensive end ASAP. So far he has just been solid.

BRYAN BURWELL
I will be eyeballing rookie MLB James Laurinaitis and comparing and contrasting him with Cincy rookie MLB Rey Maualuga. Which one looks like the sort of disciplined playmaker that could be a defensive star for the next six years?

KATHLEEN NELSON
Samkon Gado, and by extension the rest of the backs competing to back up Steven Jackson. Gado looked great at Lindenwood and in the first game, and the coaching staff used him as fullback to increase his versatility and usefulness to the team. He was unremarkable last week, though. Either he or one of the other hopefuls has a chance to take ownership of the role.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
Tye Hill. I loved him as a playmaker coming out of college but he hasn’t developed into anywhere near the same thing at the NFL level. The team needs another corner to emerge opposite Ron Bartell and I’m sure they’d also like to get something of substance out of a player they spent a first-round pick on. I realize injuries have affected him and playing injured while “out on the island” is a bit of a problem for sure. That said, it’s time. He appears to have the confidence corners need and now he needs to show that he’s got the skill and durability required to be a starter in this league.

THE WATERCOOLER:
How much will we really be able to tell from the Rams pre-season opener against the Jets on Friday?

JIM THOMAS: Rule 1 of preseason football: Pay attention to the score when the starters are in; watch individuals when the reserves are on the field. Trends in August usually carry over to September and beyond. To wit, the Rams yielded 340 yards rushing in their exhibition opener against Tennessee last season. They surrendered a franchise-record 2,475 yards in the regular season.

BRYAN BURWELL:
I think this is the first true glance at what the “new” Rams can be. Of course it won’t be a definitive look, but we can surely see if the revamped offensive line can protect Marc Bulger and open holes for Steven Jackson. We get a glimpse at how Steve Spagnoulo’s defense will improve the unit that struggled mightily last season.
But these are only glimpses, not full portraits. But I think it is important from a fan base standpoint for the Rams to look good. Sports fans in St. Louis are preoccupied with the Cardinals now. If the Rams have any hopes of sharing any of that attention in the early fall, they have to show people that there is hope.

BILL COATS:
We’ll get an idea of what the Rams’ depth might be this year, and that’s a big issue for them. It’ll also be interesting to see if the units are relatively crisp and keep the mental errors down, as Spagnuolo has been preaching throughout camp.

JEFF GORDON:
Fans will want to see how well Marc Bulger is adapting to the new offense, because this is a big change for him. This will be a test because new Jets coach Rex Ryan will want to make a good first impression with his group. Rams fans will also want to see if rookie right tackle Jason Smith is making any progress as a pass blocker. And will any of the wide receivers or back-up running backs separate from the pack. Otherwise, this game is all about identifying the team’s depth — or lack thereof. Most of the lineup is set. The guys trying to win the last 8 to 10 spots on the roster must rise to the occasion.