NFL Trade Deadline: Can Brandon Lloyd Revive Sam Bradford and the Rams Offense?

One thing is very clear about the St. Louis Rams this season—they desperately need improvement. And that starts with the passing game.

Through five games, quarterback Sam Bradford has completed only 52.8 percent of his passes, for 1,170 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, with four lost fumbles. There are two factors to blame for his poor performance: bad pass protection and a dearth of effective receivers.

With starter Danny Amendola out for the season, the No. 1 receiver duties went to former Jacksonville Jaguar Mike Sims-Walker, who the Rams acquired in the offseason. But Sims-Walker was nothing but a disappointment, dropping perfectly thrown passes and costing his team both yards and touchdowns.

After being benched for performance reasons in Week 6, he was cut from the team once St. Louis acquired Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Lloyd prior to Tuesday's trade deadline.

While Lloyd clearly cannot solve the innumerable problems plaguing the Rams, he's definitely an improvement in an area that certainly needs it.

Lloyd's signing to the Rams means a reunion between himself and his former coach Josh McDaniels, now St. Louis' offensive coordinator.

Lloyd thrived under McDaniels' pass-heavy system in Denver, with 72 receptions for 1,448 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2010. His low production in Denver this year was directly related to the changes installed by new head coach John Fox.

Obviously, Lloyd is going to need some time on the practice field with his new quarterback. The two will need to get on the same page, and quickly, if Lloyd's presence is going to be felt right away.

Just bringing him into the Rams' fold is a good sign for Bradford's chances to improve the team's passing game. The team can only get better with Lloyd starting in place of Sims-Walker, and, at the very least, that has to make Bradford and the rest of the Rams' roster excited about their chances for the last 10 weeks of the season.