Welcome Total Sports Blog’s NFL Training Camp Previews. Up until the start of the NFL season, we will continue to preview each team, and predict their records. The chances that we predict any of these records to be right drastically decreases when Joe is writing the preview.
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Today’s team is the St. Louis Rams (NFC West)
2013 Record: 7-9
Passing Leader: Sam Bradford 1687 YDS 14 TD 4 INT
Rushing Leader: Zac Stacy 973 YDS 7 TD
Receiving leader: Jared Cook 51 REC 671 YDS 5 TD
Leading Tackler: Alec Ogletree 95 Tackles
Sacks Leader: Robert Quinn 19 Sacks
Int Leader: Trumaine Johnson 3 INT
FA losses: QB Kellen Clemens, TE Mike McNeill, G Harvey Dahl, G Shelley Smith, G Chris Williams, CB Cortland Finnegan, S Darian Stewart.
FA signings: QB Shaun Hill, WR Kenny Britt, G Davin Joseph, DE/DT Alex Carrington.
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Draft Picks:
- Greg Robinson OT, Auburn 1st Round, 2nd Overall
- Aaron Donald DT, Pittsburgh 1st Round, 13th Overall
- Lamarcus Joyner CB, Florida State 2nd Round, 41st Overall
- Tre Mason RB, Auburn 3rd Round, 75th Overall
- Mo Alexander SS, Utah State 4th Round, 110th Overall
- E.J. Gaines CB, Missouri 6th Round, 188th Overall
- Garrett Gilbert QB, SMU 6th Round, 214th Overall
- Mitchell Van Dyk OT, Portland State 7th Round, 226th Overall
- C.B. Bryant FS, Ohio State 7th Round, 241st Overall
- Michael Sam DE, Missouri 7th Round, 249th Overall
- Demetrius Rhaney C, Tennessee State 7th Round, 250th Overall
Season Preview:
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This preview would have been much different had Sam Bradford not torn his ACL (again) this past week.
Saturday night I was preaching to my brother about how I think this Rams team could shock the NFL this season. Sunday the news comes out that Bradford is out for the season and Shaun Hill is now starting for the Rams. Not so much of a shock factor anymore.
The offense will now have to run through Zac Stacy. Stacy will be relied upon to carry the offense more and build off of his breakout year last season. I was loving his chances due to 2nd overall pick Greg Robinson, but without a passing game, look for opposing defenses to stack the box against the Rams.
Their receivers still leave much to be desired. Ex-Titans Kenny Britt and Jared Cook will be the primary targets with second year receiver Tavon Austin looking to bounce back off an underwhelming rookie season.
Defensively, the Rams have scary potential.
Adding Aaron Donald to Robert Quinn will make for a devastating and young pass rush that should be a lot of fun to watch. Couple that with a responsible linebacking corps of James Laurinaitis and second year player player Alec Ogletree.
Their secondary is not their biggest strength but what is the best way to make up for an average to below average secondary? A great pass rush!
Prediction
I was ready to send this team to the moon a few days ago and now I don’t know what to make of this team. Hill just is not a quarterback I trust to lead a team over the hump. While I think the Rams will dominate teams defensively, I don’t see this offense scoring enough points to win games consistently.
With this also being Bradford’s contract season, look for a new QB to be in place for the 2015 season as well.
Record: 5-11
