St. Louis Rams: Wednesday's Rams News and Notes at Noon

Welcome to Wednesday's St. Louis Rams "News and Notes at Noon", the premiere destination for all major Rams headlines and other updates of interest with brief commentary and analysis for Rams Nation. 

Due to the funeral of my grandmother today and the surrounding events, today's commentary and analysis will be a bit brief.  I apologize in advance for that and hope you will understand. 

Five Burning Questions Regarding the Rams

St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bryan Burwell shared his five biggest questions about the Rams as the team prepares to head into training camp later this month.  

Burwell asks if Sam Bradford is fully recovered, both physically and mentally, from a rough 2011 campaign and if the Rams have added enough weaponry around Bradford for St. Louis to excel offensively.  

Burwell also wonders who (if anyone from the current collection of prospects) will step up adequately at outside linebacker.  

For the remainder of Burwell's questions and the details therein, please click the aforementioned above-linked column.  

Great Story on Rams Cornerback Kendric Burney

Chris Miller of The Daily News and jdnews.com of Jacksonville, North Carolina produced a terrific piece regarding St. Louis defensive back Kendric Burney, as you can read here. 

Burney, as you might remember, was added to the Rams practice squad last November after playing college ball at the University of North Carolina, just as St. Louis defensive end Robert Quinn did. 

Burney will be fighting for a spot on the 53 man roster during training camp and shared his thoughts with Miller in that regard: 

"

They (the coaches) have talked to me and have told me the more I make plays, the better opportunity I’ll have to play on Sundays. The defensive coaches call me a playmaker.

"

Burney looks to be a roster long-shot when considering the terrific depth the Rams look to have at corner.  It is no wonder, then, that Burney is focusing his attention on special teams, something that players on the fringe of the roster almost always have to do: 

"

I’m getting to know special teams because that’s pretty much where you get on the 53-man roster.

Any chance you get to make plays you have to,” Burney said. “If you don’t make plays, you’re left out. I just made as many plays as I could. I skipped turns and skipped lines to be on every special teams because I know that’s how you make it in the NFL.

"

Burney, again from the above-linked piece, is anxious to get back to it when he returns to Earth City and Rams Park for training camp: 

"

“I don’t have a cocky attitude but (I do have) a chip on my shoulder. I’m definitely looking forward to being back there (in St. Louis). In this business, once you step inside the white lines, there’s no such thing as a friend. You got to play with a chip on your shoulder and play like you’re the only one there.

"

Miller's article shares much more from Burney, including some interesting personal background information.

Burney, 24, checks in at 5'9" and 190 pounds.  To take a look at his 2011 draft profile from Pro Football Weekly, please click here. 

How Many Games Will St. Louis Win in 2012? 

Bleacher Report featured columnist Tyson Langland took a look at all 32 NFL teams, including the St. Louis Rams, and shared his projected 2012 won-loss totals for each team, as you can read here. 

As for the Rams, Langland expects to see noticeable improvements and a better overall record. 

Langland expects rookies Brian Quick and Janoris Jenkins to step in and make plays. He also makes a great point in stating that six of the Rams final nine contests will be played away from the Edward Jones Dome.

If the Rams want to contend for an NFC playoff berth, they will undoubtedly have to find some success on the road down the stretch to fulfill that goal.  

Rams Need Big Year From the Defense to Succeed This Fall 

According to Dan Moore and this submission for sbnation.com, St. Louis needs a big year from the defense if they are to garner success in the won-loss column this season.  

Nothing too startling about that assertion, however, Moore is correct: this offense has a whole lot to prove after generating just 12.1 points per game last season. 

The offense could be much improved but there are no guarantees in that regard.

Understanding that, the only sure way to success for this Jeff Fisher led team is to run the ball consistently and play good, tough defense.  

St. Louis has the pieces in place to greatly improve on defense this year.  Both the secondary and defensive line have received a tremendous talent infusion. 

The pass defense should be much improved with better health and the addition of several talented players, including Cortland Finnegan and Janoris Jenkins. The pass rush, with the likes of Chris Long, Robert Quinn and Kendall Langford on board, should be one of the team's strongest suits. 

The key then, most likely, will be if the Rams can make strides against the run.  Last season, the defense was horrid against the run: No. 31 of 32 teams in both yards allowed per rush and per game. 

That absolutely must improve if St. Louis expects to show marked improvements on D this Fall.  

If it can, with an expected strong pass rush and better coverage in place, this defense could make a major leap during the coming campaign and help take pressure off of a youthful offense, particularly at wide receiver, while aiding the team in finding the victory column much more frequently.

Pre-Training Camp NFL Power Rankings

Bleacher Report's NFL Associate Editor and featured columnist Michael Schottey shared his preseason power rankings and current take on the status of all 32 league teams. 

Schottey shows a lot of love for the San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots and New York Giants.

How much love does he show St. Louis?  Please click this to find out what Schottey thinks of the Rams.  

Have a great day, as always, STL Rams Nation. 

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