St. Louis Rams Team Report by Andy Hicks
| StL Projections (9/3) | Passing Stats | Rush Stats | Receiving Stats | Fantasy | |||||||||||
| Change | Name | Pos | Att | Comp | % | Yds | TD | Int | Att | Yds | TD | Rec | Yds | TD | Pts |
  |
#fname# #lname# | #pos# | #NumberFormat("#pts#", '__,_____')# | ||||||||||||
| Totals | #NumberFormat("#tot_patt#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_pcmp#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#evaluate(100*tot_pcmp/tot_patt)#", '_____._')#% | #NumberFormat("#tot_pyds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ptds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_int#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ratt#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ryds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_rtds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_rec#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_cyds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ctds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_pts#", '__,_____')# | ||
|
Quarterbacks Starter - Kurt Warner Backups - Jamie Martin, Marc Bulger Starting Quarterback: To think Kurt Warner went undrafted and floated in relative obscurity until Trent Greens knee injury in 1999. Warner has put together a 3year resume that has him on the fast track to Canton. He is the perfect engineer to run the Martz system with his laser like accuracy and outstanding timing. His career completion percentage is an obscene 66.9% and his yards per pass is an incomparable 9.02%. He averages 4200 yards per season and that is after he missed 5 games in 2000. The superlatives could continue, but we will try and balance the positive with some negative. His interception total continues to rise, from 13 in 99 to 18 in 2000 to 22 last year. Even more worrying is the lingering thumb injury that has bothered him for a number of years. A new face or two on the offensive line could be trouble, but really we are clutching at straws. Warner is a lock to be the number 1 rated fantasy quarterback this year. Backup Quarterback(s): Jamie Martin's pre season injury will be monitored closely. If Martin is not fit, the Rams are unlikely to go into the season opener with Marc Bulger as the backup. Still the Rams were confident enough to let Kurt Warner start in 1999, so stranger things have happened. Martin is nowhere near the quarterback that Warner is, but is a capable backup for a game or 2. Having started 2 games for Jacksonville in 2000 and having a career passer rating of 99.4, should mean the Warner owner considers handcuffing Martin to their roster. Obviously a lot will depend on what the medical reports advise. Marc Bulger was drafted by New Orleans and released shortly thereafter. This is his 3rd year as a Ram, so he should be quite comfortable with the system if the need arises. Running Backs Starter - Marshall Faulk Backups - Trung Canidate, Lamar Gordon Starting Running Back: Marshall Faulk is a freak, plain and simple. He is a better receiver than most starting Wide Receivers in the NFL. Add that to his incredible skill as a running back and you have a superstar. Over 80 catches in each of the last 3 years, over 2000 yards in each of the last 3 years and while we are at it, 59 TDs as well. It takes a brave, or some would say stupid man to think Faulk should not be rated the Number 1 Running Back. The drafting of Lamar Gordon and the presence of Trung Canidate allow Coach Martz to give Faulk that breather to keep him fresh all year. It would not surprise to see Faulk produce another MVP performance, but some kind of drop off has to expected sooner or later. Backup Running Back(s): Trung Canidate had some fumbling problems late last year and Martz is not a forgiving man. It has been alleged than Canidate is being shopped around. This has been furiously denied by all concerned. The drafting of the talented Lamar Gordon added to the conjecture. Canidate did an excellent Faulk impression when called upon last year with almost 200 rushing yards against the Jets. He has absurd speed and plays above his weight. Lamar Gordon has the perfect size for a running back at 6ft 1 and 214lbs and will be given every chance to unseat Canidate. It will be interesting to see how preseason develops and which back can snare the emergency role. Canidate has to be favorite, but do not rule out Gordon. Fullback(s): James Hodgins, Chris Hetherington: James Hodgins has very little to offer in terms of fantasy production, but is a reliable blocker for the Rams, Hetherington, signed from Carolina adds an extra dimension to the passing game and may see a few catches his way. Might be best to wait and see what role the Rams have in store for him, before wasting a draft pick. Wide Receivers / Tight Ends Starters - Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce Backups - Terrence Wilkins, Ricky Proehl, Eric Crouch Starting Receiver(s): Last year there was a lot of talk about who was No.1 receiver and who was 1A. Well it is quite clear that Holt is Warner's preferred option. Interestingly over the first half of the year the numbers were relatively even. Over the last half of the year however, Holt saw 30 more passes that did Bruce. That is almost 4 a game. Torry Holt is a speedster with excellent hands, whose stats declined last year, although it must be pointed out that if his last 8 games were doubled he would have bettered his numbers from the previous year. The hit he received in his most recent pre-season game should be closely monitored, but at this stage he appears to be fine. Holt is never going to be a TD monster, but he should get enough to keep those who draft him happy. Isaac Bruce is still young enough to put up great numbers and amazingly earned a pro bowl berth ahead of Holt. Last year could be a career turning point for Bruce as it looks like he will have to accept a smaller role. If given the chance he is quite capable of putting up huge numbers. He has always been able to get TDs, but the total has been shrinking from 12 to 9 to 6 in the last 3 years. Bruce should still put up better numbers than half the other number one receivers in the league, purely because of his situation. Backup Receiver(s): The backup receivers are an interesting group. Wilkins imported from Indianapolis has struggled with his health. One of the smaller men in the league he has missed 8 games over the last 3 years and battled injury in other games. He already has suffered an injury in pre-season and may not be right to go until season start. How much the Rams use him in the return game, should determine his value as a number 3 man. He has also mentioned that he is struggling to understand all the nuances involved with the Rams passing game. He is however just as explosive as the departed Az Zahir Hakim and has better hands. Ricky Proehl is that dependable veteran receiver every club likes to have. He contemplated retirement, but was coaxed into another season. It's hard to imagine either of these guys managing to move into Bruce or Holts shoes if needed, but they will be good at what they are meant to do. Eric Crouch is the converted quarterback that Martz reached for and has been effusive in his praise. I wouldn't expect much from Crouch this year as he learns the system and speed of the NFL. Tight End(s): Ernie Conwell, Brandon Manumaleuna For some reason Coach Martz like to use Ernie Conwell in the running game, with mild success. It will be interesting to see if that continues. Onto Conwell the Tight End. Conwell put up nice stats, that should be repeated this year. Whilst never threatening the upper echelon of Tight Ends, Conwell will do his job and do it well. He has amazing speed for a man who tore his ACL, MCL and PCL in 1998. Brandon Manumaleuna is young and shows promise. He is not expected to figure much in the game plan, but his development will be watched with interest. Place Kicker Jeff Wilkins: Wilkins is probably the most injury prone kicker in the NFL, outside of John Kasay. He is again suffering from a Quadriceps injury and developments will need to be monitored to ensure it is nothing serious. Wilkins missed 5 games in 2000, This is not good if you draft him as your only kicker. On the bright side, if he were to play a full season he is almost a lock for 120 pts. The Rams seem to be able to move the ball at will towards the opponents half, leaving Wilkins with plenty of opportunities. It should be pointed out that a lot of his stats come from PATS so other kickers will get more field goals, but he can be counted on for the cheap points. Defense The defense improved rapidly after the massive overhaul last year. Lovie Smith was able to build a cohesive unit quickly and the talent assembled responded brilliantly. The interior of the Rams defensive line is struggling a little, with Ryan Pickett and Damoine Lewis both injured. Other areas appear quite solid with the ageless Aeneas Williams back for another season. He was forced to miss the latest pre season game, but that was precautionary. The biggest move in the off season was the loss of London Fletcher to the Bills. Fletcher was the heart and soul of the defense and his presence will be missed. The Rams quickly covered his loss by signing Jamie Duncan from the Bucs. This unit should get its fair share of turnovers and continued improvement should be expected. Coaching Coach Martz is either seen as a loose cannon or a fiercely protective coach, loved by his players. He is a brilliant tactician, whose offensive abilities have a lot to do with this explosive Rams unit. Some will say he was outfoxed by Belichick in Super Bowl XXXVI and they may well have a point. Martz will be keen to rub everyone of his critics nose into the dirt this year. Lovie Smith the defensive co-ordinator was widely tipped as future head coaching material. It will be interesting to see if that remains the case after this year. Intangibles Can the Rams bounce back from the disappointment of Super Bowl XXXVI? Can the potency of the Rams offense continue? Who can stop them? What effect, if any will the Cris Carter saga play? Whilst it would be great shock if the Rams were to collapse in a heap, history has shown us all, that good thing must come to an end. This could be the Rams last chance to grab prove they are the best team in recent memory. Nothing but a Super Bowl victory will suffice. |