3 key storylines as the Rams head towards season opener

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald holding out wasn’t a curveball GM Les Snead or head coach Sean McVay can’t say they didn’t see coming. That said, it dragging into the regular season has become the ‘worst case scenario’ that will dog them the longer this drags on.

While all eyes have been on the progress and optimism surrounding the Rams offense, heading into this season had most thinking the foundation of this team was built around Donald and the Los Angeles defense.

Well, so much for that theory.

Toss in the injury to Dominique Easley, and the Rams patchwork defense is now anchored by some names typically associated with further down the depth-chart.

Fans looking for some good news can look no further than defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. He may be the best thing going for a Rams team who doesn’t wear a uniform.

But the Donald holdout can end up having the type of detrimental impact the organization was hoping against.

Wherever you fall on Snead being responsible for getting this done, or Donald honoring the two seasons remaining on his contract, it will hamper what may be a season that could still see some significant progress.

Related Story: Is Goff reason Rams in no hurry to ink Donald?

The Rams have been a team who hangs around or below the .500 mark. That has the potential to change soon, and some have said as early as 2017.

While that may be ambitious, Donald holding out stunts that potential.

The sooner this drags on, the talk of which side has the most leverage becomes a losing argument. Especially while Los Angeles is trying to win.