The Rams are ready to pounce on an evolving NFC West

St. Louis Rams receiver Stedman Bailey (12) is defended by Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor (31).            Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Consecutive trips to the Super Bowl make the Seattle Seahawks favorites to win the division heading into 2015. Though, they were not void of offseason re-shuffling. The loss of top tier defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to the Atlanta Falcons will certainly cause ripples in one of the highest rated units in the league. Trying to balance the power, the Seahawks made one of the largest offseason acquisitions in trading for tight end Jimmy Graham from the New Orleans Saints, but gave up a first-round pick and Pro Bowl center Max Unger in the process. A stud pass-catcher may find it tough to fit into a scheme that will ask more of him in a blocking role, but they will get him the ball.

Losses on defense piled up for Seattle. Cornerback Byron Maxwell and linebacker Malcom Smith both found new homes after the big game in February. Guard James Carpenter is now flying high with the Jets and the very reliable, yet often injured Unger was lost as part of the deal for Graham. However, the star of the show, Marshawn Lynch, will continue to sport Seattle colors next year. As long as Lynch is in town, the Seahawks will be a run-first team and favorites to take the division.

“The recent news on rookie wide receiver Bud Sasser may be the only set back on what is shaping up to be a very productive offseason.”

The Rams, who seem to have been stuck in neutral the last two years, are gunning to fill the void left in the wake of the Niners dismantling and Cardinals devolving. A gutsy offseason proves they are ready to make a run at this thing right now.

In the biggest deal of the offseason, former Heisman Trophy-winner and top-overall pick, quarterback Sam Bradford, was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for up-and-coming quarterback Nick Foles. Foles was a hot commodity when he made his debut for Eagles head coach Chip Kelly two years ago. Throwing for big gains and protecting the ball better than almost every other quarterback in the league, Foles was thrust into the spotlight and won the NFC East in 2013 with 27 touchdown passes and two interceptions. This addition alone has the potential to add two or three wins for a young Rams squad.

The recent news on rookie wide receiver Bud Sasser may be the only set back on what is shaping up to be a very productive offseason. The addition of Foles and star defensive tackle Nick Fairley highlighted the moves. The defense doesn’t need much help, but Fairley will have his presence felt on one of the best lines in the NFL which already including sack-master Robert Quinn, Chris Long and rookie sensation Aaron Donald.

However, uestions still linger on the offensive side of the ball. Can the offensive line protect Foles, and can rookie-running back Todd Gurley be enough for St. Louis to be effective? This question will define the 2015 season for the Rams.

The opportunity is primed and ready for the taking. The time to right the ship in St. Louis is now.