Next is OL, the OL must block as angry as Steven Jackson runs. Far to often the Rams front five looked like they just did’nt care. Jeff Fisher should fix that, and if the Rams offensive line blocks angry with guys like Dahl, Staffold, and yes even Brown (I have no given up on him just yet), the Rams could have a feared front five blocking for the most feared TB in the NFL. Besides blocking angry the OL must do a better job in pass protection, and stay healthy. We can not have another 250 man loss games. That total is just two high. The TE position is still up in the air, I feel that those positions need more time to develop. As a fan however I will say this will someone please step up and take a dominant role and own the position act like you want to be a starter.

Running Back is a strength point, blank, and period. Steven Jackson is a beast, he runs mad, he runs hard, he runs smart, and he runs hungry. This man deserves a playoff run. He must however stay healthy, and I can’t believe I am saying this, but he has to improve on short yardage runs. As a running back short yardage was everything. It does not matter who is in your way you drive your feet and make them pay for getting in your way. Far to often Steven was stopped in Goal to Go situations. I know it’s not all his fault, heck it’s not even half his fault, but I feel that is one area he can improve and trust me it ain’t by much he needs to improve. The nice thing is he has depth this year. The rookies coming in are talented and can get the job done when he is out or if he is injured. Finally that’s the key her as well Jackson must stay healthy for us to have any kind of success for the long haul, these rookies are great temporary fixes, but not the long haul.

Finally QB, Sam must prove me wrong of being injury prone, and having a very average career due to injury. He did in year one, but not year two. The whole reason I wanted Sue with the 1st overall pick was because our OL sucks and I knew they could not protect him. He has to remain upright for us to have success, while the league protects QB’s they do not protect Sam numerous times the last two years he was late hit, smacked in the helmet, and nothing was called. This off-season we did not get a quality back up, so if Sam Bradford goes down so will our season. Sam has proven if he remains upright he is a good QB, so that must be the priority of our offense this season, and everyone from WR’s to RB’s to OL must do there part.

Finally if the Rams stay healthy and that is a big if, they have a punchers chance at winning a wild card spot. For this to happen Denario Alexander must play a larger role in the offense point, blank, and period. The Rams do not have depth so the likely hood of them getting to magic number of nine or 10 is unlikely. So my prediction for this team is 4-12 or 5-11. It is a big improvement from 1-15, or 2-14. This project will take some time, let us be patient, and give it time.

A Rams fan since 1983,

Anthony Manna

Our defense is improved sadly not substantially which will cause problems again this year, but they will be better. This season revolves around two key factors. First is health we have to stay healthy or the second has no chance. Whatever Jeff does he must clean up our injury record. Clearly a better strength and conditioning program is needed. Secondly we have to improve. Every player must make improvements at their position, trust us we here in Rams nation will notice even the smallest improvements. Next week I will do an offensive review to start.

Rams fan since 1983,

Anthony Manna

I believe Jeff is the guy to turn this team around. If the Rams are to have any success Dahl must step up and be the leader of our OL. Jackson is a great runner, but needs to take the role of the angry runner and play ticked off.  Jeff has to build a team from crap (opps i am sorry I meant scratch).  He cannot afford to think rebuild he has to envision building this team. The Rams are doomed to have another miserable season, but that can all change if three things happen.

In order for the Rams to be relevant this year three things must happen.  First we must get Dahl to be the guy on the OL. He has to play nasty and on the line dirty. We need to add anger and toughness to our team. Dalh can provide that, I also believe that Steven Jackson must run mad as in angry. Play like his is ticked off to no end, that will feed the rest of the team.

Second the Rams have to play as a team, forget talent, forget speed, forget injuries. Everyone must play together from the starters to the fourth stringers. They must play together, study together, and bleed together. They must play through the pain for their brothers. If the Rams do this the wins will pile up. Look no further than the Phoenix Coyotes in the NHL, that team is the blueprint for what the Rams need to be and do.  The fundamentals are key here too, if a team plays this way then they will pay attention to detail and that will translate into more wins.

Finally, the Rams must play with a tenacity on defense we have not seen from them. They have to hit and hit hard. Hit with the intention of making the opponent quit. Tied into this the Rams must not miss tackles period. By playing this way they will also create more turnovers which again will translate to more wins.

Fisher is not rebuilding, he must build them in his image. The reason I love the Jeff Fisher hire is, these three things are the very definition of Jeff Fisher football. By bringing these things to the team and teaching them how to win, we will win plain and simple.  I would ask Ram nation to please give Fisher about 3-5 years it will take time to build this team in his image, and if we go 11-5 one year and 4-12 the next do not let that discourage you, this kind of football takes time to learn.

A Rams fan since 1983,

Anthony Manna