QB Marc Bulger doesn't always get the credit he deserves.

The Rams always have the look of a team that could get 10-12 wins in a season, but always fall short.  Their defense is holding them back.  There are highlights in the Rams Defense, Leonard Little and Will Witherspoon, but little else.  The offense will be highly charged once again, but an injury to QB Marc Bulger seems to always be looming.  The Rams must have the offense remain healthy and the defense keep them in games, or it will be another postseason spent at home.

2007 GAME PLAN

Offense: Head Coach Scott Linehan is an offensive guru, and as a former quarterback it is no surprise he likes his teams to air it out.  58% of the offensive plays called were pass plays.  When you have Steven Jackson in the backfield, you would expect more running.  The offense is forced to throw it up as they are often trailing in games because of a porous defense.  Good for fantasy owners of nearly any player on the offensive side of the Rams ball, not so good for the team’s chances at the playoffs, or the health of Bulger, who isn’t exactly the league’s most nimble quarterback.

Defense: When deciding between two running backs on your squad, if you see one is scheduled to start against St. Louis, start him.  Your guy could end up looking like LaDainian Tomlinson for one week.  The Rams gave up an average of 145 yards a game on the ground in 2006, and held the opponent’s top rusher to under 70 yards only twice.  DEs James Hall and rookie Adam Carriker will help improve the run defense, but don’t expect miracles.  Stopping the run will continue to be a problem for the Rams.  Adding to the issues of this defense is even when they manage to effectively stop the run, the secondary gives up big yardage. 

SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS

Mark Bulger, QB: Bulger stayed healthy for the entire season for the first time in his career in 2006, making fantasy owners around the world ecstatic.  In fact, other than 2005, he has remained relatively healthy for a quarterback with little speed and a line that, despite Orlando Pace’s presence, hasn’t been stellar in the pass protection department.  The line has given up more than 40 sacks every season Bulger has been under center.  His interceptions have dropped each year, down to eight in 2006.  With the talent he will have at WR (Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, and Drew Bennett), expect more of the same in 2007.

Steven Jackson, RB: As I mentioned above, the Rams directed 58% of their offensive plays to the pass.  Yet Jackson ran the ball 346 times in 2006, nearly 100 more times than any running back did during Mike Martz’s tenure.  Don’t look for Jackson to lose any carries  to Brian Leonard, but Leonard could be used to balance out the offensive play calling.  While Jackson may not repeat his 2,300 total yards and 16 touchdowns, in this offense it is very likely.

Torry Holt, WR: I was prepared to praise Holt, and that he is ready to go in Week 1, and now reports are he may not even play.  Currently listed as questionable with a knee injury, the knee has the potential to affect his play all year.  The new presence of Bennett may scare some fantasy owners, but it will be Bruce’s value that will take the biggest hit, not Holt.

Leonard Little, DE: Now 32, Little has averaged over 11 sacks a year the past six years.  He has the reputation as being one of the best pass rushers in the league.  With James Hall (11.5 sacks in 2006) slotted on the opposite side of the line, Little won’t be double-teamed as often as he was last year.  A return to double-digit sacks in 2007 is a near certainity.

FRANCHISE PLAYER
None

TRANSITION PLAYER
None

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
LB Brandon Chillar: RFA
G Adam Goldberg: RFA
TE Aaron Walker: RFA
LB Raonall Smith: UFA
T Todd Steussie: UFA

PLAYERS ACQUIRED
WR Drew Bennett: UFA Titans
G Milford Brown: UFA Cardinals
LB Chris Draft: UFA Panthers
LB Ryan Fowler: RFA Dolphins
WR Dante Hall: Traded from Chiefs
DE James Hall: Traded from Lions
S Todd Johnson: UFA Bears
P Donnie Jones: Signed Offer Sheet (Dolphins)
RB Travis Minor: UFA Dolphins
CB Lenny Walls: UFA Chiefs

PLAYERS LOST
WR Kevin Curtis: UFA Eagles
CB Travis Fisher: UFA Lions
DE Brandon Green: UFA Seahawks
WR Shaun McDonald: UFA Lions
RB Paul Smith: UFA Broncos