28-blast: The St. Louis Rams have some problem areas in their line up. I suspect that several of the problem areas can be addressed by the use of one UDFA and a very old Ram strategy.

In the 50s the Rams used the following ‘Bull Elephant’ backfield:
Dick Hoerner: 6-4 and 220 pounds.
Paul ‘Tank’ Younger: 6-3 and 225 pounds.
Deacon Dan Towler: 6-2 and 225 pounds.

Now the Rams can use the following ‘Bull Elephant’ backfield:
Steve Jackson: 6-2 and 231 pounds.
Mike Karney: 5-11 and 255 pounds.
Jerome Johnson: 6-0 and 258 pounds.

The Rams can then send Karney and Johnson into the line, freezing the linebackers, then pitch/pass to Jackson around either end. The small, fast Ram wide receivers can force the defense to use small, fast cornerbacks. Small, fast cornerbacks aren’t going to work well against the ‘Bull Elephant’ backfield. If the Rams want to run a power sweep, they have the beef to do so and the defensive line has to pretty much stay in two gap mode to stop a quick ‘halfback dive’ by Karney or Johnson.

The Rams have four tight ends and are a bit understaffed at wider receiver. They can huddle with 12 men and then send off a wide receiver or tight end, as the defense dictates. Also, at least Karney and Jackson can function as pass receivers. The two fullbacks can provide pass protection for Bulger, when he throws. The two fullbacks also provide a ‘#2 running back.’

The ‘Bull Elephant’ backfield solves the problems at #2 running back, wide receiver and tight end. Also, the ‘Bull Elephant’ backfield is a ball control offense that allows the defense to operate with fewer defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs on the roster, because the offense will be on the field more.

Why not?

Jim Thomas: The Bull Elephant, eh? This probably would be better directed to OC Pat Shurmur.
By the way, Jerome Johnson is a long-shot to make the team anyway.

Joos: I think the Rams have far better talent than what has been shown over the last couple of years because of the previous coaching regime. Guys like Carriker, Hill regressed after pretty solid rookie years. I think this shows an inability of the coaching staff to coach players up. Typically players dont decline after their rookie years.

Do you think they have the raw material to turn the defense around quickly under coach Spags? He seems to be able to coach players up and make solid players good and talented players play great due to his system.

Jim Thomas: Hill and Carriker both had injury issues, so it's hard to judge them. But you're right, if the Rams are to made significant steps on defense, both will have to be better.
I think the additions of Butler at SS and Laurinaitis at MLB will help, along with the move of Witherspoon to WLB. Also, Long in his second year should improve, as you noted, and if Little can stay healthy, that'll make a big difference, too.
So, to answer your question, yes, I think a turnaround is possible. Not necessarily probable, but possible.

That's all for this week. Thanks to all who participated.