St. Louis Rams

St. Louis Rams Head Coach Profile

When Scott Linehan was hired away from the Dolphins last season, the assumption was that he would offer an offensive mind like that of Mike Martz, without the ego. After some ups and downs, these assumptions were proven correct when the team gelled offensively after Linehan stepped down as play caller, turning the job over to offensive coordinator Greg Olson. If the defense can stiffen slightly this team has the ability to win high-scoring shootouts.   

St. Louis Rams Off-Season Moves

The signings of McMichael and Bennett provide more weapons to an already potent Rams offense. Dante Hall gives one of the league’s weakest special teams units the chance for big plays on every kickoff or punt. The most important offseason moves were on the defensive side of the ball. Free agent signings LB Chris Draft, DE James Hall, SS Todd Johnson and DB Mike Rumph should all be in contention for significant playing time and will be improvements to the team’s defense. Drafting heavy on defense, the team expects rookie DE Adam Carriker to start at some point of the season.

St. Louis Rams 2007-08 Season Outlook

Following an up and down 2006 in which the Rams started 4-1 then lost five straight, culminating with a 15-0 offensive joke at Carolina. The team rebounded by going 4-2 over their last six but shutouts shouldn’t happen to a team with the offensive weapons that had hired an “offensive genius” in the offseason. Fortunately, the challenges of 2006 may serve to galvanize a team that should be in contention for the playoffs every season based on the trio of QB Marc Bulger, RB Steven Jackson and WR Torry Holt. Offensively, the Rams are, if anything, more potent than they were in 2006. The free agent signings of tight end Randy McMichael and receiver Drew Bennett provides Bulger with two big, sure-handed targets to go along with WRs Holt and Issac Bruce. Bennett brings his large frame to the slot position and his ability to go up and get passes makes him a valuable target in the red zone. Jackson’s ability as an all-purpose back fills the shoes of retired surefire Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk in this year’s interpretation of “The Greatest Show on Turf” offense. Jackson’s 2,334 total yards from scrimmage ranks fifth on the NFL single-season list and with the complementary weapons gathered around him, defenses can’t risk focusing on one part of St. Louis’s attack. The Rams defense was their Achilles Heel last year ranking 31st against the run and 28th in points allowed. The front four in particular had a sub-par year and first round pick Adam Carriker should be in immediate contention to start at defensive end.  The linebackers were strong, but if they keep having to make tackles four and five yards downfield due to poor pressure upfront the Rams will struggle. Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett’s unit should be stronger after a year’s experience in his system, but this remains to be seen. The secondary was surprisingly strong and the defense was ranked 8th against the pass allowing 189.7 yards per game. Cornerback Fakir Brown will miss the first four games due to a substance abuse suspension and the big question coming out of camp will be who will replace him, the battle is now between Mike Rumph, Lenny Walls and Ron Bartell. One of the league’s worst kick return teams will get a boost from the offseason signing of return specialist Dante Hall.

St. Louis Rams Trivia

Rich Brooks was the 1st head coach of the St. Louis Rams.

Troubled, former pro running back and St. Louis Rams 1st round pick in 1996, Lawrence Phillips, was once referred to as "potentially the best running back..." coach Dick Vermeil had ever coached.

Kurt Warner was a AFL standout before being signed by the Rams and playing for NFL-Europe's Amsterdam Admirals - within a year, he would be named the NFL and Super Bowl MVP. He replaced the Rams then starter, Trent Green.

Marshall Faulk ran a 4.12 40 yard dash time coming out of San Diego State University.

The Rams would lose to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI, signaling the beginning of the Patriots dynasty.

St. Louis Rams 2007-08 Roster

St. Louis Rams 207-08 Depth Chart

St. Louis Rams – Edward Jones Dome

Construction Began: 1992
Opened: November 12, 1995
Capacity: 66,000
Location: St. Louis, MO
Surface: Field Turf

The Edward Jones Dome has been the home to the Rams since their arrival in the city of St. Louis. A modern arena and exhibition hall, the dome is used for many things regionally from high school and college football games to trade shows. The turf removal system allows the Edward Jones Dome grounds crew to “roll up” the turf in a period of an hour, leaving the footprint available to house any number of activities or displays. The dome, experiencing multiple names since being built, housed the NFL's “Greatest Show on Turf,” in the late 90s and into the new millennium.