NFL Whirlwind Previews: St. Louis Rams

Seems like the St. Louis Rams have been in a washing machine set on super-extended cycle for years now.

Every once in a while (like, each season), we pull 'em out and check to see if they're fit to wear, but we end up putting 'em back in. This dirt is just too stubborn.

Will new head coach Steve Spagnuolo and a freshly-drafted cornerstone on the offensive line be enough to cleanse "The Most Daunting Project on Turf"?

Personally, I'd love to see it happen, but I've a feeling the stains are still going to take more time...

Offense: This Time With a Line

First, a round of applause for St. Louie for refraining from dealing their No. 2 overall pick and proceeding to use it wisely on proven LT Jason Smith. They didn't allow themselves to be convinced by any trade partners, nor did they get caught up in any Mark Sanchez hype, and they look oh-so-smart for it.

Makes you wonder why more teams don't just stick to the trenches when they're choosing up high, right? It appears to work: Just look at Miami.

And the fortification didn't stop there, as the club signed center Jason Brown. He's immediately the starter, joining promising but still developing incumbents Alex Barron (watch those penalties!) and Richie Incognito (who is capable of keeping his head on straight, but must execute). In all likelihood, Jacob Bell will grab the last spot, but there's insurance in John Greco.

The group looks improved enough to significantly reduce the sacks allowed (45 last year) and therefore give Marc "He's Still Here?" Bulger a chance to bounce back at quarterback.

Bulg has straight-up suffered over the past two years, and his 11 TD-to-13 INT ratio in '08 did nothing to ease his pain. He's got to at least keep defenses honest to the air game so that the ground can get burned by the team's headliner.

Too bad Marc's receiving corps can't help much in the accomplishment of this mission. Putting down guys' abilities is not what I'm about (as my 5'7" frame would get snapped in high school ball), but there wasn't a whole lot here before Torry Holt left, and now the unit is looking even more sapped.

No.s 1 and 2 are Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton, and they're backed by Laurent Robinson, Brooks Foster, and (maybe) Derek Stanley. Like I said, I'm not here to insult anybody, but did you really recognize a single name I just listed?

At tight end, Randy McMichael isn't what he once was, but he and Billy Bajema will do well enough in combination.

But back to that aforementioned "face of the franchise," which, yes, is you, Mr. Steven Jackson.

I can give you only a partial pass for the previous campaign's relative lack of production (barely topping 1,000 yards), as the dearth of talent surrounding you wasn't your fault, but any mental distractions, like those regarding your contract, sorta were. Warning: with the new staff in place, there will be less leeway in '09.

I have lots of faith, as you're much more durable than people say and your fullback (Mike Karney) kills at what he does, but this O is pretty much you, and Spagnuolo's made that pretty clear. I doubt anyone really wants to see Brian Leonard, Chris Ogbonnaya, or Kenneth Darby in a workhorse role.

Defense: A Young Man's Unit

The leader is a second-year defensive end. Gulp.

But that man is Chris Long, so I'll take it. Expect him to just continue to accelerate in terms of performance as he learns more and more; that sack total of last year (four) could easily double, depending on the play calling.

The former Virginia Cavalier has solid complements surrounding him in Leonard Little and tackles Clifton Ryan and Adam Carriker. There's also a decent amount of depth at the group's back (Victor Adeyanju, James Hall, and Dorell Scott) and Spag's experience with the devastating Giants front four to help them out, so take heart despite the fact that three of the starters are 25 or younger.

Besides, the group behind them features some quality experience. Rookie James Laurinaitis may well be the man for the middle, but that means that cagey Will Witherspoon (eight years out of UGA) gets to move back to weakside and the team can let Chris Draft (11 years experience) mentor Quentin Culberson and David Vobora opposite.

Sure, there's no more Pisa Tinoisamoa, who happened to be the team's leading tackler last year and was apparently still in plenty of demand, in the linebacking rotation. But apparently brass felt his contract was too large a price to pay and that Laurinaitis is ready to step in.

And that leaves us with the secondary, which, despite featuring lots of youth, isn't exactly a return to the fresh-meat trend of the line.

See, free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe continues to go criminally underrated despite huge numbers (77 solo tackles and five picks in '08). If anyone else on the D besides Long can inspire teammates, it's him; his heart and drive go unmatched (and sadly, largely unnoticed around the league).

Atogwe's got a new partner in crime in (former) free agent James Butler, but he's the sort of dude who only solves problems and never makes them. His transition will be smooth as butter and will only ease the pressure on CBs Ronald Bartrell (another unsung hero) and Tye Hill (who'll battle with draftee Bradley Fletcher, among others, for a starter's role).

Overall Outlook: It's Gonna Take Another Run-Through

They're in a stinky division that had just one team with a winning record last year, and both sides of the ball show glimmers of hope.

But if we're talking big picture here, I'm going to have to ask for more time for these Rams. Their best statistical ranking last season was 19th (in pass defense), and they were in the mid-20s or 30s for everything else.

Not that you need to be told, but one offseason isn't going to fix everything.

Bulger will not suffice any longer, but Spagnuolo at the helm and good draft philosophy over the past two seasons must mean improvement.

Just chill a bit longer while the washer spins.