Rams Will Prove Doubters' Dead Wrong in 2011

The St. Louis Rams have been by far one of the worst -- if not the worse -- team in the NFL over the past five years or so. The team had transformed from the days of the "Greatest Show on Turf" to "Worst Show on Turf", and even went through an entire season with only getting one win (2009 season). But guess what ladies and gents? The Rams are back!

Sam Bradford, the next great quarterback in the NFL, won last season's rookie of the year award and is only going to get better with time and expierence. Now tell me that isn't just a very scary thought?

Surely this team won't be anything close to the Rams' of old--but seriously, who will? What they are is a young, determined bunch of players that want to bring the glory days' back to St. Louis--the teams from the past couple of seasons weren't as bad as they played, they just weren't hungry--but this 2011 team is and that in itself proves the Rams are ready to prove critics wrong, and become a team to be wreckoned with in the present and future.

One season removed from capturing the league's worst record at 1-15, the Rams took huge strides last season and displayed what the future has in store--Sam Bradford, a legit franchise quarterback--and a hungry defense under the likes of Steve Spagnoulo under the helm at head coach--and added in this off-season was Josh McDaniels, who is a proven offensive-minded coach that could help provide the spark that the Rams need on that particular side of the ball.

Josh McDaniels comes to the Rams and brings tremendous promise to a team that has one of the best-upcoming superstar quarterbacks in the league. McDaniels' will open the playbook up and stretch the field, and that is a scary thought for opposing defenses.

The offensive line is already one of the youngest--and is filled with nothing but first round picks over the past five seasons. Jason Smith, who was the first round pick in 2009 is coming along in development very well and should help this line make time for a promising offense. The team brought in offensive guard Harvey Dahl from Atlanta to bulk up, and that signing alone led Steven Jackson to say that Dahl himself will help "extend" his career another two or three seasons.

Jackson needed some help at the running back position--and he got it. The team signed the likes of both Carnell 'Cadillac' Williams (from Tampa Bay) and Jerious Norwood (from Atlanta). These moves themselves will help the Rams change the tempo from time-to-time when giving SJax a breather or two. Cadillac is a versatile back that can make the cuts and get quality yards every carry--and Norwood gives the team a home-run threat in the return game and everytime he touches the ball. This will allow Jackson, who is already one of the leagues premire backs, do more damage with less touches.

A lot of people are doubting the Rams at the reciever position, however that is something I don't understand thoroughly. Sure, the core doesn't have that clear number one go-to man--but the signing of Mike Sims-Walker from Jacksonville, gives them number-one potential--and they have quality play makers that can do some damage. Donnie Avery is officially back from an ACL-tear that caused him to miss all last season, Danario Alexander is starting to come around--the return of these two guys also allows last seasons star wideout Danny Amendola to be in his normal position of slot receiever, where he can be even more dangerous--and why the health of these two are concerns, for now they are on the field and both are huge deep threats for Bradford down the field--added in with Greg Salas (rookie from Hawaii) and Austin Pettis (rookie from Boise State). The team is in a lot better shape that most people believe at the position. And what makes it even more dangerous--the fact that Lance Kendricks (second-round pick from Wisconsin), the expected-to-be starter at tight end, seems to have formed major chemistry with Bradford. If the Rams can get a go-to tight end in the passing game, watch out!

The offense has alot of critics on there back heading into the season--but if the unit stays healthy, Sam Bradford could become a legend in the current 'Josh McDaniels' era. They have the make-up to be good, or even great--but health, determination, and chemistry will only tell with time how they will all work out together.

As for the defensive side of the ball, Spags is a proven defensive minded coach and he knows what he is doing, and how he wants to run the show. Overall, the defense was beginning to look like one of the upper-echolon units in the entire NFL--and they enter this season even more hungry than last season.

The defensive unit is led by the likes of defensive end Chris Long, middle linebacker James Lauranitis, and cornerback Ronald Bartell. The team added defensive tackles Justin Bannan, Daniel Muir, and Gary Gibson to help bulk up the defensive line. They also brought in Brady Poppinga and Ben Leber to start along side JL at the linebacker position, and brought to the defensive backfield the likes of Al Harris, Quinton Mikell, and Trae Evans.

The defensive unit will be alot better as the line and linebackers have gotten even better--and just as important--more depth. Lauranitis will have more help on the outside, which will lead to him being even better at his position in the middle. The loss of OJ Atogwe won't help the Rams--but with the signing of Quinton Mikell from the Giants, it won't hurt much either. Mikell has a nose for the ball when it's up for grabs--and with the team giving Al Harris a try--if he can get back to old form, that'll help Bartell be a better corner as he can convert back to the number two.

The team already was one of the biggest pass-rushing units in the entire league--and expect that trend to continue--but with a better players. And the better the players, the better the results. Spags knows what he is doing with this defense and it is starting to show more and more.

Don't believe in this season's team? Watch and learn. Sam Bradford is an up-and-coming star quarterback in this league--and will be for many, many years to come. The team isn't one of the most talented by any means--but they have quality play makers that know how to get the job done--and not to mention the best team that the city of St. Louis has seen in the dome in many seasons. With the confidence of a star quarterback, the swagger of the defense, and the load being carried by SJax, one thing is for sure--this team is out to prove the doubters wrong.