Another season at the bottom of the NFC West awaits St. Louis but Al Dannity says there are reasons for Rams fans to be hopeful.
Off-season changes
The selection of Sam Bradford with the first overall pick in the draft sent a clear message that St. Louis is looking for a change in direction under center. After averaging a pathetic 10.9 points per game in 2009 it’s not hard to see why. While clearly possessing plenty of the tools needed to succeed in the NFL, it would be foolish to think Bradford can turn around the Rams in a single season. The former Oklahoma Sooner will have to learn to adapt to the NFL and prove he is not an injury risk.
The other pick I like from the Rams’ draft is Mardy Gilyard from Cincinnati in the fourth round. Gilyard is a receiver who strives to prove critics wrong and will be keen to show he is better than a fourth round talent. NFL betting fans would be wise to keep an eye on the rookie wideout.
Mark your calendar
St. Louis has some winnable games early in its schedule. The trip to Oakland in week 2 presents the first real shot at success for the developing Rams. The trip to Ford Field to take on Detroit could see a clash of quarterbacks chosen with the #1 pick when the Rams take on the Lions.
Kansas City’s trip to St. Louis in week 15 should prove a solid indicator of what both franchises need to do to challenge in 2011, while the Rams will like their chances in divisional games against San Francisco and Seattle in the final two weeks of the season.
The verdict
This is not the year the Rams turn the corner but it could the season where hope finally emerges in St. Louis. This franchise still has too many holes to be able to hope for anything more than a 4-12 or 5-11 season. Take the under of 5.5 wins at -200 with Sports Interaction.
I know it sounds bleak now but Rams fans should be hopeful. Like the Kansas City Chiefs, this is a team which is putting together the pieces needed to become a force within its division. Filling the kind of holes present in St. Louis is not an overnight job but come 2011, so long as they make the right off-season moves, the Rams could have a shot in the NFC West.
Related posts:
- St. Louis Rams
- Saint Louis Rams 2009 Season Outlook
- NFL 2010 Preview: Kansas City Chiefs
- Tim Tebow, Kyle Wilson and Dez Bryant Prove Most Interesting Picks in 2010 Draft
- NFL Preview 2010: AFC West
