2015 is do or die for Jeff Fisher and company

The Rams need to go all in for 2015.

The most exciting thing to happen to the Rams in the last fives years was the hiring of head coach Jeff Fisher. Fisher brought a proven winning track record from his days with Tennessee. He brought five years of experience as a player with the Chicago Bears in the early 80’s and even more experience from six stops on his coaching journey. This includes head coaching positions with the Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans before a two-year hiatus that led him to the head coaching vacancy in St. Louis.

Les Snead was brought in as the general manager shortly after Fisher. Coming from the Atlanta Falcons organization as director of player personnel. Snead made an immediate impact upon arrival by trading the Rams first round draft choice in 2012, number two overall, to the Washington Redskins. This trade would prove to be the catalyst in the reloading of the St. Louis roster by adding two additional first round selections in the following years.

However, all that experience and early success has lead too little in the way of adding to the win column. Together Snead and Fisher have amassed a below average record of 20-27-1, and have yet to produce a winning season. These numbers don’t bode well for a team that hasn’t had a winning season since 2005.

“Sam Bradford, once looked upon as the player to return the franchise to relevancy, couldn’t stay healthy and failed to put up franchise quarterback stats.”

There is plenty of blame to go around. Brian Schottenheimer, former offensive coordinator for the Rams, was highly criticized for his conservative play and poor decision-making. Sam Bradford, once looked upon as the player to return the franchise to relevancy, couldn’t stay healthy and failed to put up franchise quarterback stats. An aging running back in Steven Jackson, and a defense riddled with holes left much to be desired in the first two years of the Fisher/Snead era.

As the Rams enter year four with the Fisher/Snead duo at the helm, the microscope will be focused more than ever. A new quarterback in Nick Foles, a solid running game and potential for a top ten defense has fans feeling optimistic. Coaching careers can be finished in the blink of an eye, but Fisher has a history of winning the Rams haven’t seen since Chuck Knox in the early 70’s, or more recently Mike Martz and the “Greatest Show on Turf” in the early 2000’s. It’s do or die for the coaching staff in 2015, and only a legitimate run at the playoffs will satisfy the masses.