5 Things To Expect in 2015 For The St. Louis Rams

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Headed into the 2015 season, the St. Louis Rams have been dissected in every way imaginable. Some experts believe that the Rams have made strives to become a real contender in the upcoming season, while others believe they still don’t have what it takes. But regardless of what people think, this organization is headed in the right direction, and that is all you can ask for as the end of the day.

Here are five things to expect heading into training camp and the 2015 regular season.

1) Offensive line: Good? Bad? Or somewhere in the middle 

On a scale of 1-10, I rate the Rams’ offensive line as a four at the moment. This is before the rookies have had a chance to compete in mini camps or training camp, but as they sit on paper, that’s my grade. This is the major question mark heading into the season. Can these guys produce as they currently stand? That is the million dollar question. But one thing we can all agree on is this, in order for the Rams to make a strong push towards the playoffs, it will take a cohesive offensive line playing at a high level.

2) Will QB Nick Foles make a major impact in 2015? 

It’s safe to say that Foles is the best quarterback the Rams have had on the roster since drafting Sam Bradford with the first overall pick in the draft. Bradford was supposed to be the guy to take the Rams back to the playoffs and ultimately to a superbowl. But, injuries held him back from achieving such goals, so here stands Foles. Foles is a guy who had a monster 2013 season, setting NFL records while making it to a pro bowl and winning the MVP of the game. But, in 2014 Foles suffered a broken collarbone that held him out for the last half of the season. Foles had decent talent around in in Philadelphia, but who does he have around him in St. Louis? The Rams hope that a great running game will help Foles’ passing attack, and in theory, it should. But, with questions looming on the offensive line, and wide receivers that haven’t really shown what they can do, we will have to sit back and see how good Foles really is in 2015.

3) Will Todd Gurley live up to the hype?

Their is no denying the talent that Gurley possesses. Gurley is a game changer. But, there are two things a running back needs in order to succeed. A good offensive line to block for him, and healthy knees. And sadly for Gurley, he doesn’t really have either at the moment. Gurley tore his ACL in November while playing for the University of Georgia, and the offensive line that will be in front of him has questions that have yet to be answered. The Rams have always had good running backs in St. louis. Tre Mason is a good running back in his own right, so there is no need to rush Gurley back if he isn’t 1oo percent. And once he is back to form and the offensive line gets their ducks in a row, watch out.

4) Will the tough schedule doom them in 2015?

Many argue that strength of schedule doesn’t mean anything. And it’s hard to argue against that point, but it does come into effect. If it didn’t, they wouldn’t have it. Most teams that made it to the playoffs in the previous year, have a great shot at returning. Agreed? Some don’t, but more make it back than those who do not. And in that case, that isn’t good news for the Rams. St. Louis has one of the toughest schedules in the NFL. They will have to play the Seattle Seahawks twice as usual as well as the Arizona Cardinals twice. They will also take on the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens as well as the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. Regardless of how they did a year ago, on paper this seems brutal. But, only time will tell.

5) Is Jeff Fisher on a short leash?

Fisher has had a solid career as an NFL coach, but hasn’t won very many big games. Fisher is just 5-6 in the postseason and is barely over .500 in regular season games. The Rams in 2015 will have the best talent Fisher has had in quite some time, so if the Rams don’t make strides towards the playoffs, could this be the last year we see Fisher as the head coach? I think it is if the Rams do not have a winning season. The Rams have done everything they can in order to put great talent out on the field, so it’s do or die for Fisher in my opinion.