St. Louis Rams: 4 Areas They Must Improve During Their Bye Week

The St. Louis Rams are off to a disastrous start in 2011.  

In the preseason, many fans and pundits expected the Rams to take the next step as a franchise and become the young and upcoming team in a woeful NFC Western Division. 

Unfortunately, that has not happened.   

An inept offense, a string of injuries and a mediocre run defense have the Rams in a steep hole.

This week the Rams enter their lone bye week of the season. Here are four areas that the Rams must focus on during their week off, and as they go forward in 2011.

1. Improve the Run Defense

The Rams' defense has been absolutely woeful against the run so far this season. 

The Rams rank last in the NFL in run defense at 179.8 yards per game.   They also are tied for 30th in the league in yielding plays of 20 yards or more (five so far this season). 

A steady improvement in run defense is the first step in turning around the Rams’ season.

2. Get Healthy

As strange as it sounds, an area the Rams must improve during the bye week is their health. 

The Rams have had a plethora of injuries so far.  Danny Amendola dislocated his elbow, Steven Jackson has never reached full strength after tweaking his leg and Mark Clayton has yet to play this season.

That is only naming a few.

The Rams need to reach full strength, especially on offense, in order to win some games and turn their season around.

3. Pass Protection

Through four weeks the offensive line for St. Louis has been less than stellar.  The Rams rank last in the NFL in sacks allowed (19), and in hits allowed on the quarterback (41).

More seriously, youthful quarterback Sam Bradford needs to build confidence.  Getting sacked constantly and playing behind an unproductive line could have long term implications on his career.

Just ask Marc Bulger.

4. Playing Aggressively

Maybe the most important element for the Rams to improve during their bye week is aggressive game play. 

The Rams have not been able to "play up" to their opponents so far this season.

Whether it was a big game against the Eagles in Week 1, a national television game versus the Giants in Week 2 or in games against the Ravens and Redskins, the Rams have played flat.

Players and coaches from the Rams must play each week with a bigger sense of purpose and drive.  The Rams need to pull out all the stops to get a victory. 

Whether it's resorting to trick plays, strange formations or non stop blitzing—the team needs a spark of emotion.