(Photo by Jonathan Willey/Getty Images)
After a week four game against the rebuilding Rams, the 49ers go into a very hard stretch against the Falcons, Texans, Colts, Titans, Bears, Packers, Jaguars, Seahawks, Cardinals, and Philly before a week 16 game against the Lions. At this point the 49ers should be 7-7 going into the Detroit game, and 8-7 after the game to go into the final game against the Rams. After the Rams win, the 49ers will finish the season 9-7, their first winning record in recent history.
The St Louis Rams come into the season with a brand new coach, and a new attitude. Steve Spagnuolo comes over from the Giants after he created one of the best defenses in the league. Steve hopes he can do the same for the Rams, who are dying to return to glory. On the offensive side of the ball it is a whole new ball game. Out is Orlando Pace and Terry Holt who were anchors for this team since "the greatest show on turf" days.
Holt lead the team in receptions (64), yards receiving (796), and tied for scores with three. With Holt's departure, that leaves Donnie Avery to the potential number one slot. Avery showed potential last year in his second season, grabbing 53 balls and three scores.
Dan Looker also comes back this year after a decent 2008 season that saw him make 23 catches and two scores. This team needs a number one receiver that will scare offenses and I just dont see them having that yet. So saying that, defenses will be able to stack the box to stop Jackson and the running game.
With their 24th pick the Rams took Brooks Foster out of North Carolina. Foster finished 2008 with 30 grabs and two scores at North Carolina. He is very strong and will break any arm-tackles that defenders try to put on him. I'm just not sure he is the number one receiver that the Rams need.
It looks like Steven Jackson will have to carry this team this year. Jackson only started 11 games last year before an injury made him miss time again for the second season in a row. In the 11 games he played he managed 1,042 yards and seven scores with a 4.1 yards-per-carry average. If Jackson can stay healthy this year then he will get back to his 2005 form in which he ran for over 1,500 yards. Jackson has missed nine games the last two seasons, so the Rams should perhaps try to draft a young running back to groom.
With their final pick in the draft the Rams selected Chris Ogbonnaya out of Texas. Chris had only 378 yards this past season, but he is a very fast back, running his 40 yard dash in 4.6, so he can be a nice compliment for Jackson if he makes the team.
At quarterback Marc Bulger returns. Bulger is another Ram who missed time in 2008 and did not play well. Marc threw for 11 scores and 13 picks in 2008, the second season in a row that he threw more interceptions then touchdowns. Being in his 9th season, it might be time for the Rams to start grooming a replacement.
The Rams selected Keith Null out of West Texas A&M in the draft to be the back up to Bulger. Null holds the school record for passing yards in a season and in his career with over 9,000 yards. Marc will start the season as the starter, but if the Rams struggle again or if Marc goes down again, I wouldn't be surprised to see him lose his job to Null.Finally, the Rams brought in Kyle Boller from Baltimore to back up Bulger.
The biggest move for this team in the off season was to replace Orlando Pace at tackle. The Rams did this by selecting Jason Smith with their first pick. Smith is a very athletic offensive tackle who uses his height and long arms to easily shake off defensive ends. He is surprisingly quick for a big man. Not fast, but quick. He can reach the second level very fast, and can pull if needed. He will be a very good replacement for Pace, and should anchor the offensive line for years to come.
On the defensive side of the ball, Steve hopes to duplicate what he did in New York but he has his work cut out for him. The Rams ranked 31st in points allowed a game (29), and 28th in yards allowed a game (371.9) and rushing yards (154.7). The new coach hopes to bring a new attitude for this defense.
I do not understand the move they have made at linebacker releasing anchor Pisa Tinoisamoa. Pisa recorded 104 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles last year, his best statistics in his career. At the other linebacker spot is Will Witherspoon, who will have to be the leader now thanks to the loss of Pisa. Last year Will recorded 72 tackles, and 1 sack in only 12 starts. He should now be the starter as he is the best option the Rams have.
Victor Adeyanju was brought back in free agency and should be a very good piece in Steve's defense. Oshiomogho Atogwe should be an anchor in the secondary, and try to build on a good 2008 season that saw him post his career high in tackles (85), and have 5 interceptions.
Jason Craft could play a bigger role in 2009, as Steve will have many new schemes that will require different packages. Jason started two games last year, and recorded 61 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 interception. I look for his numbers to increase greatly in 2009.
Filling out defensive backfield is Corey Chavous. Chavous recorded 63 tackles in 2008, but did not record a single interception for the second time in two seasons. Corey has not played well as a Ram, only recording 224 tackles, and 1 interception in three seasons as a Ram. He has to create more turn overs for this team in 2009.
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