2014 St Louis Rams Recap: What I Liked

So, the 2014 season is in the books and, as always, now comes a period of reflection as the team heads towards yet another make-or-break offseason. Having spent the last few months carefully thinking about what I liked and disliked about each individual game, it is now time to turn these reflections to the 2014 St Louis Rams as a whole. Today, we will start with the positives…

What I Liked

The Defense              Yes, Sack City was a veritable ghost town for the first few weeks of the season; and, yes, the tackling was frequently appalling; and, yes, there were many breakdowns in coverage, but, when this defense played well, it played very well. As evidenced by holding Peyton Manning’s offense to only seven points, and, of course, the twelve quarters without conceding a touchdown (with two consecutive shutouts), the ferocity of this defense can make them a fearsome force. The front-seven were particularly suffocating during these periods. There was seemingly no stopping Robert Quinn once he got unleashed, and new recruit Aaron Donald spent more time in the opponents’ backfield than anyone else. Chris Long proved his value by igniting the defense upon his return from injury, while James Laurinaitis seemed back to his best. Alec Ogletree seemed at lost at times, but still led the team in tackles. But the secondary was a particular revelation. Once pegged as the defense’s glaring weakness, this young defensive backfield emerged as a feisty unit, with T. J. McDonald in particular showing a nose for the ball. In Janoris Jenkins, Trumaine Johnson and E. J. Gaines, the Rams have some of the most promising young cornerbacks in the League, although their tendency to occasionally lose focus led to a number of big plays by the opposition. This defense is still very young, and once they find the consistency they lacked during the course of the season, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

The draft class         With the final leg of two first-round picks, and in the midst of a rebuilding plan, it was important that the Rams drafted well. In Greg Robinson – the team’s first pick, at Number Two – the Rams selected an offensive tackle who, despite his clear physical potential, has struggled to learn the nuances of the position. Robinson was inconsistent but will improve with experience.

It was with their second first-round pick, however, that the Rams struck gold. Aaron Donald was one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the League, regardless of experience, and was rightly selected to the Pro Bowl. The pressure that he mounts on opposing offensive lines breaks down plays and pushes quarterbacks into the gaping jaws of Robert Quinn and Chris Long. Donald will be a centerpiece of this defense for many years and is the best pick the franchise has made since Quinn himself. Likewise, E. J. Gaines – a fifth round pick – has also been an impressive find and led all Rams cornerbacks in tackles.

Other rookies have had an up-and-down season. Tre Mason put up good numbers once he emerged as the team’s leading rusher, but poor play from the offensive line made him struggle further down the season. Mason has the skills to continue being the Rams’ featured back, but he will require support from those behind him in the depth chart. Defensive back Lamarcus Joyner is a work-in-progress, while Maurice Alexander made a contribution in special teams.

So, while this was not a great draft class, it was certainly a solid one. Donald and Gaines are the big prizes, but, if Robinson and Mason deliver on the potential, this could develop into an impressive young crop of players.

The receivers           Before the season started, the wide receiver position was a cause for concern. Many Rams fans were disappointed with what they perceived as average-to-good receivers with no clear downfield threat. The acquisition of Kenny Britt and the emergence (finally!) or Brian Quick helped to quell some of those doubts, but, in all fairness, the receiving corps has exceeded expectations when considering the instability at quarterback. Britt led the team in yardage, Jared Cook in receptions, and Lance Kendricks in touchdowns. Impressively, seven players caught more than thirty passes, showing a tendency to spread the ball. With no outstanding receiver, this seems like a sensible policy, and this under-rated group made a surprising contribution amid difficult circumstances.

Johnny Hekker         The Rams’ punter has emerged into one of the crowd favorites with his performances during the season. Aside from his obvious skill as a punter – he made second-team All-Pro at the position – Hekker contributed with trick plays, while his social media antics have earned him a cult status in Rams Nation. The Rams need someone to get behind and hold aloft, and Hekker’s personality and on-field performances make him perfect for his figurehead role.