St. Louis Rams Enjoy a Week of New Leadership

The St. Louis Rams have had a very good week.

Sure, its only August and opening day is sixteen days away.  But, when Rams fans look back one day and identify the week when things turned around for the team, they may very well think of this week.

It started with a simple announcement that attracted little more than the obligatory press coverage.  Stan Kroenke, the long-time minority owner of the Rams, was approved by the league as the new majority owner of the team.  This was a story that began several months ago, and has produced some drama along the way.

Initially, it appeared that Shahid Khan would become the Rams’ majority owner.  Kroenke’s ownership of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche seemed an insurmountable obstacle to his suspected desire to take over the club. 

But, like most good businessmen, Kroenke had a plan.  He exercised a right of first refusal clause to match Khan’s bid and, after assuring the league that he would pass control of the Nuggets and Avalanche on to his son, was unanimously approved.

Kroenke’s impact likely won’t be felt immediately, but he brings the Rams a level of stability, and a very deep pocket, that they have not had for a long time.  Fans should not expect a Daniel Snyder-like spending spree next year, but the Rams will likely be more active in the free agent market than they have been in years.

So, after 38 years, the Rosenbloom era, which started when the late Carol Rosenbloom traded franchises with Robert Irsay, has come to a close. 

While long-time fans will look back fondly on the days of Carol Rosenbloom’s ownership of the Los Angeles Rams, and appreciate how Georgia Frontiere (despite all her quirks) helped bring the team its first Super Bowl win, few are sorry to see this final transition take place. 

Meanwhile, on the field, the Rams prepared for their “dress rehearsal” third preseason game, which would be played on a Thursday night in Foxboro against the New England Patriots.

This game promised to be intriguing, as it marked the first opportunity for Sam Bradford to start as the Rams quarterback.

Bradford was up to the task.  With veteran-like precision, he lead the Rams to four scoring drives in the first half, and put up impressive numbers (15-for-22, 189, 2 TDs, QB Rating 125.0).  Even more impressive is that he put up these numbers despite the fact that Steven Jackson was on the field for only one drive.  And, oh (or should I say, in honor of another promising rookie, OH-OH), by the way, the Rams pulled out a 36-35 win on a last second field goal.

Did that performance remove all doubt as to whom would be the Rams starting quarterback on opening day?  Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo has not made that announcement, but it seems likely that the torch is ready to be passed.

The Rams still have a lot of questions.

Do the have enough depth at running back?

How will the already thin wide receiver corps fare without Donnie Avery, who suffered a knee injury against the Patriots that appeared, at first glance, to be severe?

Has the offensive line started to come together after a slow start in the preseason?

Is the running defense as good as it has looked in preseason?

Is the passing defense as bad as it has looked in preseason?

The Rams are still far from being a contender, and will undoubtedly have some bad weeks in the next few months.

But this has been a good week.

A new owner with a solid track record as an owner.

A new quarterback who looked as good as advertised.

What more can you ask for in August?