St. Louis Rams Coaching Decisions That Helped Shape the 2010 Season

The St. Louis Rams won a couple of games in 2010 that maybe they shouldn’t have, but they also lost a few more they should have won because of some questionable coaching decisions.

Spagnuolo has definitely done some good things in his two seasons as the Rams coach (drafting Sam Bradford was definitely a great decision). But game management is still Spagnuolo’s biggest weakness as he enters his third year as a head coach.

The decision to rely on Bradford more than a proven Pro Bowl running back was puzzling as the season went on. It started with the season opener. In the 17-13 loss to Arizona, Bradford threw the ball a remarkable 55 times—in his first ever NFL start. Jackson ran for 81 yards on 22 carries in the loss, but was underutilized most of the season.

Jackson was still selected to his third Pro Bowl, but the focal point of the offense clearly shifted more and more to the passing game. With new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels coming in, the thinking is that it may happen even more.

While the defense was very good for most of the season, it was the offense that garnered most of the criticism. Jackson went to the Pro Bowl and Bradford was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year, but the Rams still scored just 18 points per game and finished the season with a 7-9 record.

The Rams lost four games by four points or less and let another two games nearly slip away by going into an offensive shell when holding a lead. Those decisions cost them a division title and playoff berth.

Two games—the 18-17 loss at Tampa Bay on Oct. 24 and the 16-6 loss at Seattle in the season finale—are prime examples of how some questionable coaching decisions cost the Rams the NFC West crown.

The Rams led 17-3 late in the first half against the Buccaneers and Tampa was faced with a third-and-16. Spagnuolo, thinking the offense could get the ball back, called a timeout. The Bucs converted the 3rd-and-long, kicked a field goal and the Rams eventually lost, 18-17.

Spagnuolo was grilled following the game and then again at his Monday press conference. He stood by the decision, saying that he had confidence in the defense to stop a 3rd-and-16. That's all well and good, but the timeout is still head-scratching.

As for that offensive shell mentioned earlier, even with a 17-6 halftime lead the Rams failed to score in the second half and mustered only 96 yards of total offense in the final two quarters.

The offensive turtle was in its shell for nearly the entire time during the season finale at Seattle.

With the NFC West title on the line, the Rams—namely offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur—were not aggressive at all. They threw only two deep balls—both dropped passes by rookie receiver Danario Alexander—and did little to test a poor Seattle defense.

The hope for Rams fans is that Spagnuolo will allow McDaniels to break out of that shell and be more aggressive. If that happens, coupled with a solid draft and some free agent pickups (whenever that's allowed to occur), the Rams should enter the 2011 season as the clear-cut favorites to win the NFC West.