St. Louis Rams: 12 Goals for 2012

Assuming your brain functions on short-term basis, like so many of us when it comes to the world of sports, here is how the St. Louis Rams were generally perceived before the beginning of the 2011 season:

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The Rams? Hiring McDaniels was their big offseason move, and they've got Bradford. That makes them the division favorite in my view.

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That was Sports Illustrated columnist Don Banks in an article covering the Rams' training camp last August.

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Given the way the NFC West shapes up this season, it's hard to dispute that the Rams are right up there talent-wise. Bradford should be even better in his second pro campaign, and the surrounding cast on both sides of the ball brings more to the table than St. Louis' 2010 roster.

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That was yet another Sports Illustrated author, Chris Burke, in a complementary piece that discussed the team's outlook in 2011. 

Clearly, the Rams were a favorable candidate in the NFC West and were predisposed to win the division after missing the playoffs by only one game in 2010.

However, after concluding the 2011 season with the worst scoring offense in the NFL, averaging merely 12.1 points per game, it's simply remarkable that the team was held in such high regard in the recent past.

When comparing the current roster to the 2010 roster, they are virtually equals that differ mainly due to the key injuries that the Rams received last season (Ron Bartell, Danny Amendola, Bradley Fletcher, Rodger Saffold and Jason Smith).

As a result, it's possible that all the team needs in 2012 is good health combined with competent leadership before they are back to being the up-and-coming contenders that they were once considered. 

However, there are likely more specific obstacles that they must overcome before experiencing any real success, which is what this article will focus on. 

So here are the 12 things the team must stride towards in 2012 if they desire relevancy once again.

1. Find a Wide Receiver

Re-signing soon-to-be free agent Brandon Lloyd would be a great first step in accomplishing this goal, but frankly, it's not enough. 

Opposing defenses will just double-up on Lloyd while all of the linebackers will narrow in on Steven Jackson. None of the other offensive weapons on the Rams pose a serious threat. 

This is why Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State) would be an exceptional draft pick in the first round this April. 

Danny Amendola is a reliable short-yardage option (five or more yards), while Lloyd's superb route-running makes him an ideal fit for deep routes (15 or more yards).

Meanwhile, Blackmon is a physical receiver who would provide the team with a suitable option for intermediate routes (10 or more yards), as well as the occasional long ball. 

You need more than one capable receiver if you want to win in the NFL, which is why wide receiver is a high priority this offseason. 

2. Find a Defensive Tackle

While wide receiver is clearly the most glaring need on offense, defensive tackle is by far the most dire spot on the defense. 

The Rams surrendered 152.1 rushing yards per game in 2011 (ranked 31st in the NFL), and the situation is not destined to improve with Fred Robbins turning 35 years old in March. 

If Robbins' age isn't enough to worry the coaching staff, then they should certainly be panicked over the fact that Justin Bannan, Darell Scott and Gary Gibson are the only other defensive tackles on the roster. 

It's a weak free-agency class for defensive tackles, so look for the Rams to draft one with their second-round pick, such as Jerel Worthy (Michigan State) or Brandon Thompson (Clemson).  

3. Improve the Offensive Line

Sam Bradford was sacked 36 times in 2011, despite missing six games due to injury.

All three Rams quarterbacks were sacked a combined 55 times, which would have easily led the NFL had it been a single quarterback (Alex Smith led the league in sacks with 44). 

Bradford is entering his third year and is coming off of an uninspiring sophomore campaign (six touchdowns, six interceptions, 2,164 yards). 

If the Rams want Bradford to rebound in 2012, then they need to not only supply him with weapons but also keep him upright. 

Rams linemen had to play musical chairs with each position due to all of the injuries last season, but they were actually playing at a below-average level even before the injury bug arrived. 

The team needs help on the line in 2012, whether it means using multiple draft picks, or signing a free agent such as Carl Nicks (New Orleans Saints) or Demetrius Bell (Buffalo Bills). 

4. Find a Home Run Threat

While wide receiver remains the team's most alarming need on offense, it won't be enough if the Rams want a completely revamped unit in 2012. 

On top of a duo of solid receivers, the team needs a wild card weapon with elite speed who can take it to the house at any given moment, or, at the very least, is capable of making a defense winded after chasing him around all day. 

Adding a player that fits that description might be more of a luxury, considering all the other needs that the team must accommodate. 

However, if the team has a shot at drafting someone like LaMichael James (Oregon) in the third or fourth round, then the temptation may be too great to ignore.  

5. Compete for the NFC West Title

After the San Francisco 49ers went 13-3 and made it to the NFC Championship game this season, it might seem as though a division title is inconceivable for a Rams team that tied with the Colts for the worst record in the NFL. 

However, in 2010, when the teams had basically the same rosters that they have today, the Rams were the better team and finished ahead of the 49ers. The difference in 2011 was that the 49ers had better coaching, as well as better luck with injuries. 

Now that the Rams have Fisher on board as their head coach, the 49ers might not have such a clear advantage in 2012, at least as far as coaching is concerned. 

Also, teams with average quarterbacks like Alex Smith rarely win every year with consistency.

It's probably too much to ask for the team to win its division during their first year under new leadership, but it's certainly not outrageous for the St. Louis fanbase to expect a somewhat competitive team in 2012.   

6. Establish an Identity

The Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears and the New York Jets all project into our minds images of smash mouth, defense-oriented football. 

The New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots and the Detroit Lions are squads capable of going airborne until the scoreboard explodes. 

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Rams are renowned for their ability to curl into the fetal position and pray for the clock to display four zeros, signaling the end of their weekly nightmare. 

Every winning team in the NFL has a distinct identity, which means the Rams will need to discover their own before they can consistently win games. 

Even if the identity favors neither offense nor defense, having a well-balanced team is still considered an identity, as is evident from observing teams such as the New York Giants or the Dallas Cowboys.

As of now, the Rams are seemingly closer to becoming a defensive team given the rising stars within that group, such as James Laurinaitis, Chris Long, Robert Quinn, Darian Stewart and Bradley Fletcher.

However, with a potential franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford, having a well-balanced team does not seem out of reach.  

7. Get Amendola Back in Action

Throughout the 2011 season, Sam Bradford was criticized for locking onto receiver Brandon Lloyd instead of searching for a second "bail out" option. 

However, it's likely that the secondary option was never actually an option since slot-receiver Danny Amendola obtained a season-ending injury in Week 1. 

In 2010, during Bradford's rookie season, he hit Amendola 85 times out of the slot, which made him the top receiver on the team by 32 receptions. So you can imagine how lost Bradford was on the field without his favorite target, hence the title of this slide— "Get Amendola Back in Action."

Even if the Rams end up with both Lloyd and Justin Blackmon, it would still be beneficial to have their best first-down option out on the field, which would fully complete the trio.

Lloyd was on the field by himself in 2011, but simultaneously adding Blackmon and Amendola would surely produce a night and day difference on offense.  

8. Make Quinn and Long into One of the Most Feared Duos in the NFL

Chris Long had a breakout year with 13 total sacks, making it the first double-digit sack season of his four-year career. 

Robert Quinn, the Rams' No. 14 overall pick in the 2011 draft, had a promising year with five sacks despite the fact that he was utilized sparingly. 

Between the two of them, there is enough raw talent to eventually result in one of the better defensive end duos in the NFL. 

Hopefully, with the help of the new coaching staff, their potential will come to fruition sooner rather than later, which is exactly what the Rams need if they want to field a competitive team in 2012. 

If both players can produce a double-digit sack performance in 2012, then the entire defense would greatly benefit from it, which will presumably result more wins. 

9. Trim the Fat

When a new regime takes over an NFL franchise, they traditionally give the team a bit of a makeover in order to help the roster adapt the new schemes and the overall personality of the team.

The Rams have a number of bad contracts, as well as dead-weight veterans incapable of being fully utilized. 

Right tackle Jason Smith is due $10 million in 2012, while center Jason Brown is set to make $5 million. 

We can presume than both players will be forced to restructure their outrageous contracts, or else they'll likely be cut by the team. 

On top of that, it wouldn't be too implausible to ask Sam Bradford to restructure his contract as well, assuming he is truly as dedicated to the team's success as he's led us to believe. Bradford is set to make $12 million in 2012, so a restructure would give the team a significant boost in funds.

However, that scenario is certainly unlikely. 

Meanwhile, aging veterans such as Brady Poppinga, Al Harris, Fred Robbins, Ron Bartell and Justin Bannan will have their contracts analyzed by the current regime, who will then respond accordingly after determining whether or not they're worth the money. 

If the team can get well below the salary cap, then it will allow them to acquire younger free agents capable of helping the team in the long-term, such as cornerback Cortland Finnegan (Tennessee Titans) or defensive tackle Jason Jones (Tennessee Titans). 

10. Find Some Intensity

Make no mistake, the 2011 Rams certainly displayed a consistent effort throughout the season, likely stemming from a desire to bail their former head coach Steve Spagnuolo out of hot water. 

However, they were not able to construe their efforts into tangible results but rather meaningless moral victories. 

The entire team, but more particularly the offense, portrayed the image of a lifeless football team. 

They were stale, boring, uninspiring, fruitless, unenthusiastic and futile, and they basically lacked the swagger and confidence necessary to win at the professional level. 

Right out of the gate, the Rams had five starters injured during their opening game against the Philadelphia Eagles and obtained an unnatural swarm of injuries throughout the season.

For once, the Rams need to be the team capable of punching someone in the mouth; not that injuring players should be an objective, but it's certainly an inevitable result of facing fierce football teams.

The overall mindset and intensity of the team could certainly benefit from adding a minimal number of questionable characters, such as free agent Cortland Finnegan. 

And for the well-behaved players already on the roster, they need to develop the basic amount of grit necessary to win close games. 

11. Put an End to the Lease Issue

St. Louis fans are rightfully on high alert due to the recent ramblings in the media regarding the lease issue between the Rams and the Edward Jones Dome, which has undoubtedly led to speculation that perhaps the team is willing to relocate back to their former home in Los Angeles. 

However, we as fans inherently interpret the situation from a selfish point of view. 

Fans partake in self-loathing over the possibility of losing their franchise, and while that's certainly excusable, the average fan typically fails to understand that the situation affects the actual players as much as anybody. 

Imagine for a moment if the team did relocate. We're talking about over 53 grown men who have been given no choice in the matter, who will be forced to move themselves and their families across the country. 

If you feel that such impending doom will not play a factor in the team's overall psyche, then you are naive. 

Sure, the players seldom mention such issues with the media, but surely the players are more opinionated on the matter than they appear. 

The 2009 Rams won only one game all season when the team was up for sale. You also saw a similar effect with the 2011 Colts, who won only two games after dealing with the pressure of performing without their star quarterback in Peyton Manning. 

If the lease issue can be resolved fluently, then the players will be free to focus on what they do best— football. 

12. Help Bradford Rebound

This objective is of the utmost importance, as the team's success is basically tied hand-in-hand with the personal success of quarterback Sam Bradford. 

The team invested a No. 1 overall pick in Bradford because they felt he had the necessary tools required to be the face of a franchise and a leader of the football team. 

If Bradford is failing, then the team will ultimately be failing, regardless of how much potential the defense has. 

This is why the team must be willing to go to extraordinary lengths to provide Bradford with a substantial amount of support on the offensive line, as well as in the receiving game. 

If Bradford can operate the offense at even an average level, then the team will be considerably more competitive in the division.