If you are anything like me, you have been talking with your friends over the last two days about how good the Rams were on Sunday. I mean, let’s be honest… We Rams fans haven’t had much to cheer about as of late. And although the win was great and plenty of good things happened on that field Sunday, it wasn’t all lollipops and rainbows. Here are some things I have some issues with.

1. Back-up Running Backs- Before you get all excited and tell me how good Kenneth Darby and Keith Toston were on Sunday, let’s look at the facts. The Redskins are currently LAST in the NFL in total defense, so it’s not like this performance came against some great team. With SJ39 being a little banged up, we are going to need someone on this roster who can step in and give us solid production, and I still don’t think that man is on this roster. With that being said, the team went out and signed running back Chauncey Washington off the New York Jets’ practice squad. There have also been discussions about Larry Johnson, but it looks like the team is staying away from that right now. I like the Washington move, if only because he was one of the featured guys on Hard Knocks this summer, and you all know how much I love that show. If SJ39 would be forced out of action for any serious amount of time, a guy like Johnson might be the better option. Either way, Toston and Darby aren’t the answer.

2. Brandon Gibson- I had a comment a few weeks ago asking why Gibson was inactive over the first couple of weeks. I didn’t have a good answer then, but I do now. I know it was just one game, but Gibson was awful. If my math is correct (and there’s a very good chance it isn’t), he was targeted 8 times and made three catches. That doesn’t sound that bad, but he dropped several of those incomplete passes, and they weren’t overly difficult catches. He has some talent, but if he doesn’t catch the ball, he’s of no use to this offense.

3. Field Goal Team- Heading into the season, I thought that the field goal unit would be one of the strongest aspects of this team. Then, we had two FGs blocked in the first three weeks, and Josh Brown, who is usually automatic, has been shaky at best. We can’t afford to squander points, so we have to be able to capitalize on most of those opportunities. I think this area will be ok moving forward, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.

If anyone has any other issues that stood out on Sunday, leave it in the comments section and I will address it in my next post.

• Larry Johnson – Larry Johnson comes in with 35 preseason carries the most of any feature back in the NFL. Since the Chiefs are having a hard time on offense in the preseason they plan to give Larry some more work tonight. Lets watch to see if Carriker and Glover can continue to clog the middle and if the linebackers can fill and tackle a huge back like Johnson
• Young Star Match-ups – There is a chance that we may get to see Chris Long go up against Brandon Albert tonight. Albert has been bothered by a bad ankle but may see some playing time. In addition a possible clash of beasts between Glenn Dorsey and Richie Incognito may also happen. Rams fans would love to see these two go at it with or without helmets.
• WR Battle – This is going to go down to the wire. It is almost certain that the Rams will keep Torry Holt, Drew Bennett, Dante Hall, Donnie Avery, and Keenan Burton. The big question after that is how many WRs they will keep on the roster 6 or 7. If they go with 6 it is going to be a huge battle tonight. Dane Looker, Marques Hagans, Brandon Williams, Derek Stanley and Reche Caldwell are all still trying to make the squad. I see the battle just coming down to what do the Rams want to keep most the sure Dane Looker, or a backup WR with return ability like everyone else except Caldwell who I think is certainly cut in the next wave. Looker is the best of that group and should receive the final roster spot.

That’s it for now lets just hope we do not incur any more injuries during tonight’s game. By the 3^rd Quarter it’s possible you may want to check out the start of the NCAA college football season as NC State will be taking on South Carolina and the old ball coach.