PFT Has Rams 28th In Power Rankings

I am a regular reader of ProFootballTalk.com, but that doesn’t mean I agree with everything they have to say. PFT is doing their annual power rankings for the upcoming season, and they slotted the Rams in at 28 of the 32 teams. I don’t know if I disagree with the ranking so much (although I would probably put them in front of a few more teams), but I do take issue with some of the explanation.

First, here is what they had to say about the offensive line. “On paper, St. Louis arguably has the worst offensive line in football. Left tackle Rodger Saffold is considered the team’s top lineman, and he’s coming off a bad season. 2011 free-agent signing Harvey Dahl didn’t spark the group’s play in his first season with the Rams. Scott Wells was signed away from Green Bay to solidify center, but there is a huge hole at left guard. And at least based on recent performance, Jason Smith can be classified among the likes of Wayne Hunter (Jets) and Jeromey Clary (Chargers) as one of the weakest right tackles in the game. Smith has been a brutal bust as the former second overall pick in the draft.”

I’m not going to sit here and say that the Rams have a great offensive line, but I think the group is better than they are being given credit. I completely disagree with the assessment of Smith, and I think the addition of Wells is going to impact the line more than expected. The hole at left guard is a worry, but it can be filled.

“The NFC West has long been considered the weakest division in football, and there is pretty much every reason to believe the Rams are its weakest team. Five or six wins would be an accomplishment for this roster.”

I’m not going to take issue with 5 or 6 wins as an accomplishment, but I don’t know if it’s a foregone conclusion that they are the weakest team in the West either. I’m not sold on Arizona or Seattle, so let’s not put the Rams in the 2012 cellar just yet.