5/23/13: The Rams offseason moves were mostly focused on the offense - either protecting QB Sam Bradford and giving him time to throw and stay upright, or providing playmakers to get the ball to. The biggest change is the speed. Austin Tavon and Jared Cook provide more speed on the outside to stretch the field. With the new guardians and new toys, many are suggesting that this is a do or die year for Bradford. While he certainly must have a good showing, this is by no means all or nothing. There are not suitable replacements available and the team can restructure his contract to spread out the cap hit in the future.

5/16/13: With the start of rookie mini-camps, the big name draftees are getting a rude awakening to life in the NFL. For new Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin, that means that people are already hitting him up for money. As Austin tells it, he now has a lot of cousins that he did not know about who want a bit of his paycheck. The thing is, Austin has not made a paycheck yet. Instead, he wants to stay away from the bad influences and let his family deal with the hangers-on. He has a long-time friend in fellow West Virginia wide receiver Steadman Bailey, who was also drafted by the Rams.

5/9/13: The Rams, lest anyone forget, was the only team to contain Colin Kaepernick and have a winning record against the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers last season (until the Super Bowl). The Rams went 1-0-1 against the 49ers and 1-1 against the Seahawks. They have stability in coaching and offensive scheme, and just added weapons and protection for QB Sam Bradford. Las Vegas, though, is not impressed. The Rams are listed at 60-1 longshots to win the Super Bowl. Only eight teams have higher odds, with Jacksonville and Oakland with the longest odds at 200-1 for the 2013 season.

5/2/13: The Rams young General Manager Les Snead is showing he knows how to work a draft board. Last year, Snead traded the number two overall pick to Washington and got their 2013 and 2014 first rounders in return. That left the Rams with the numbers 16 and 22 selection. They traded away the 16th pick to Buffalo and selected West Virginia WR Tavon Austin at No. 8. Then they traded down (recouping the picks they gave up in the first trade) and selected nasty Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree, who will likely start right away for the Rams.

4/25/13: St. Louis is not tipping their hand with their first pick at number 16. Head coach Jeff Fisher and GM Les Snead did a good job in their first season in turning over the roster and stockpiling draft picks to build from within. The Rams single biggest need is a break away, true number one wide receiver – so there has been a lot of speculation that the Rams will select Tavon Austin out of West Virginia if he is available. They also need a replacement for running back Steven Jackson, and Eddie Lacy from Alabama would fit that mold.

4/18/13: The Rams have the number 16 and 22 picks in the upcoming draft. Everyone and their mother knows that they need a playmaking wide receiver. The only problem is that no one knows if that exists in this years draft class. The 16th pick was earned by record, and the 22nd pick is courtesy of the Washington Redskins for the RG3 trade last year. St. Louis and their fans are hoping that Washington tanks next season, where they still have the Redskins' pick (and hopefully in the top five). In any case, expect the Rams to take the best WR on the board with their first pick.

4/11/13: Rams head coach Jeff Fisher complemented QB Sam Bradford on his leadership development in the second half of the season. Now that Steven Jackson is gone, this is truly Bradford's team. The Rams hope to pick up some long term starters in the draft. They have two first round picks (No. 16 and No. 22). The second pick is compensation from Washington for trading the No. 2 pick overall last year, which turned out to be RG3. In total, the Rams turned that second overall pick into six picks by trading down again on draft day with the Dallas Cowboys.

4/4/13: Rams fans are getting anxious. Rams Nation may not have the right for high expectations, especially after winning just 15 games in 5 years, but last year's 7-8-1 record, combined with the development of the rival San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks as not just playoff teams, but Super Bowl contenders, leaves Rams fans wondering how they will keep up. The defense is pretty solid, and will only improve. But aside from signing OT Jake Long and TE Jared Cook, the offense is still lacking. Rams fans want to see a play making wide receiver and running back join the team.

3/28/13: The Rams understand that building a championship team does not happen overnight - unless you happen to be the 1999 Rams, but that is a different story. This time, Jeff Fisher is taking the more traditional route to building a competitive football team. He bolstered the defense last season and secured his long term left tackle as well as a dynamic tight end this offseason. With the draft approaching, it seems pretty obvious that the team needs a breakout wide receiver to open up the field for the next few years and make Sam Bradford live up to his number one draft pick rating.

3/21/13: It took some time, but the Rams finally landed their primary free agent target. Jake Long, the left tackle taken number one in the 2008 draft by Miami, agreed to a four year, $36 million deal. Long dominated the offensive line in Miami since he was drafted, and has made several Pro Bowls. He has been hampered for the past two years with injuries, but checked out fine physically by the Rams. Miami wanted to keep him at a reduced rate, but Long was impressed by the Rams vision of the future. Sam Bradford finally will have a special talent protecting his blind side, which may open up the passing game.

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3/14/13: The Rams are staring at losing both Brandon Gibson and Danny Amendola, their top two wide receivers. The receiving corps is already among the worst in the league, despite several draft picks spent on receivers over the past few years. But there may be a glimmer of hope. The Rams signed Jared Cook, the top rated tight end, in free agency. Cook has wide out speed and should be able to be a factor in the end zone. He rejoins head coach Jeff Fisher, who coached the Titans and originally drafted him a few years ago.

3/7/13: Last season the Rams made the unusual move of allowing star running back Steven Jackson to opt out of the final year of his contract. Call it professional courtesy, or call it a shrewd business move to save $7 million in salary, but it looks like SJ39 will test the free agent waters. The Rams, meanwhile, are busy trying to re-sign wide receiver Danny Amendola. Amendola has been the most productive receiver for the Rams for most of the past few years, but he keeps getting hurt badly. Sam Bradford would like to have him back, as the two have become the NFC West's version of Brady to Welker.

2/28/13: It is coming down to crunch time for the Rams and longtime running back Steven Jackson. Jackson has the option to opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent. Some might consider this a professional courtesy to a long-time Ram who has been through the dredges, but the Rams would also free up some much needed salary cap space if SJ39 decides to finish his career elsewhere. If he does leave, then St. Louis will have to find his replacement, which could be Eddie Lacey from Alabama or a free agent fill in for a year or two.

2/21/13: It did not take the Rams long to right their mistake. Nine days after claiming former Lions wide receiver Titus Young of waivers (they were the only team to submit a claim), the Rams cut Young. Young had been at the training facility meeting with coaches. The team has not given any specific reason for promptly dismissing the mercurial WR, but he must have rubbed some people the wrong way pretty quickly. His football talent is obvious, but his attitude and behavior within the team is getting in the way of Young having a respectable NFL career.

2/14/13: The Rams passed on hiring Rob Ryan as the new defensive coordinator, then brought in Dick Jauron, former DC of the Cleveland Browns for an interview. But the Rams then threw a curve ball by also bringing in Mike Singletary, special assistant of the Minnesota Vikings and now have Detroit assistant coach Tim Walton in for a test drive. The Rams are the last team without a DC at this point, but do not seem to be in any rush to fill the position. In other news, a panel of arbitrators sided with the team and their $700 million renovation plan over the city. Chances are that the discussion will move from renovating to building a new stadium either in downtown or somewhere in St. Louis County.

2/7/13: After flirting with former Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, the Rams announced via Twitter that the two sides were not signing a contract. Though no official explanation has been provided, there may have been a significant difference in defensive philosophies. Head coach Jeff Fisher has run a very effective 4-3 scheme for years, while Ryan runs a 3-4. The Rams defense was much better than expected last year and has the personnel for four defensive linemen and strong cornerbacks. Most recently, Dick Jauron has been mentioned as a possible candidate to fill the defensive coordinator role.

1/31/13: It was reported a few weeks ago that Rob Ryan had interviewed for the defensive coordinator job in St. Louis. That will not happen. The Rams formally released Greg Williams, the DC by name only, a few weeks earlier. Williams is still technically suspended by the NFL for his part in the New Orleans Saints Bounty Program, though Saints head coach Sean Payton has been reinstated and Williams was the only person that actually testified about the activities. Rob Ryan is the twin brother of Jets HC Rex Ryan and son of Buddy Ryan. He has a different scheme than the Rams currently run, but it could make the defense even better.

1/24/13: There is a lot of speculation in St. Louis on who the next defensive coordinator will be. When the Rams hired Jeff Fisher, he promptly hired his old buddy Greg Williams as DC. Then came the New Orleans Saints Bounty Scandal and Williams was suspended by the NFL indefinitely. The Rams terminated Williams' contract following the season and are said to be interested in former Cowboys DC Rob Ryan - brother of NY Jets coach Rex Ryan. It may not be a good fit, though. Ryan runs a 3-4 defense and the Rams showed they can play under Fisher's 4-3. Aside from that, Fisher and Dave McGinnis did a fine job on their own this year.

1/17/13: The Rams officially cut ties with suspended defensive coordinator Greg Williams. Head coach Jeff Fisher hired Williams before the New Orleans Saints Bounty Scandal punishments were installed, and Williams never coached a game for the Rams. St. Louis went through the regular season without a true DC, and greatly improved on defense. Neil Brockers and Janoris Jenkins were both named to the All-Rookie team, though no Rams were selected for the Pro Bowl. The Rams are said to have interest in Rob Ryan, the twin brother of Jets HC Rex Ryan, who was fired by the Dallas Cowboys last week.

1/10/13: Like every year, the Rams watched the Playoffs from home. But unlike the past, the Rams have a foundation from which to build upon. Jeff Fisher's first season as head coach must be considered successful, as the team improved from 2-14 to 7-8-1. QB Sam Bradford looked more comfortable in his third year, yet still needs protection from a stronger offensive line and a true number one receiving threat. The defense earned strong marks throughout the season, particularly in the secondary where veteran cornerback Cortland Finnigan and rookie CB Janoris Jenkins terrorized opposing receivers throughout the season.

1/3/13: They say you have to win in your division first if you are going to develop a contending team. If that is true, then the Rams have a very bright future. St. Louis entered Week 17 undefeated in division play before heading into Seattle, where the Seahawks have not lost all season. The Rams played the Seahawks very close, but came up a bit short, losing 20-13. By any measure, Head Coach Jeff Fisher's first season was successful. The team finished 7-8-1 on the year and 4-1-1 in the NFC West. Now the Rams must hope that the Redskins lose, in order to improve the value of that first round pick next year.

12/27/12: The Rams continued their resurgance in professional footbal, improving to 7-7-1 after defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-13 on the road. Rookie cornerback Janoris Jenkins recorded yet another pick six, as the defense again was the story. The Rams have a chance to finishe with a winning record for the first time in years if they can win or tie at Seattle this coming Sunday. Surprisingly enough, the Rams have not lost in NFC West games this year, going 4-0-1 thus far. Had they not gone winless against the NFC North, then the team would be competing for a playoff spot right now.

12/20/12: The Rams playoff hopes essentially came to and this past Sunday, as the Minnesota Vikings came to the dome and rolled St. Louis 36-22. Minnesota dominated the game in the second and third quarters, returning one interception for a touchdown and shutting down the Rams offense. Adrian Peterson ran for 212 yards, including an 82 yard td scamper early in the game. The Rams tried to battle back in the fourth, but could not get closer than 11 points. The Rams take on the Bucs next Sunday, in a rematch of a the 1999-2000 NFC Championship Games, which the Rams won on their way to the the Super Bowl.

12/13/12: Many Rams fans felt that a five or six win season would be a success, especially since the team has won three or less games for most of the past half decade. The Rams went up to dreary Buffalo and gutted out a 15-13 win over the Bills, as the Rams defense was again dominant. It was the first road victory for St. Louis this season, and the first win against an AFC East team. At 6-6-1, the Rams have a slight outside shot at capturing a playoff spot, but need help from teams like Washington, Minnesota, Dallas, and Seattle to do so.

12/6/12: The Rams seem to own the 49ers this season. San Francisco, widely considered to be one of the best teams in the NFC just can seem to solve the Rams and their defense. This past Sunday in St. Louis, the Rams hounded 49ers quarterback Collin Kaepernick enough to force a safety, then recovered a fumble for a touchdown, followed by converting a two point conversion to tie the game at 10 apiece. Rookie sensation kicker Greg Zuerline, who had been silent all day, kicked a 53 yard field goal to send the game into overtime. Zuerline then kicked a 54 yarder to win the game. The Rams are undefeated in division play this year and now head to Buffalo to face former quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

11/29/12: The Rams continue their Jekyll and Hyde ways this season. Two weeks after marching into San Francisco and forcing the rare NFL tie (and they had chances to win) and a week after being embarrassed at home by the Jets, the Rams rumbled out to the desert to face the Cardinals and their quarterback du jour. St. Louis' defense sacked Kevin Kolb 7 times in their first game and this time recorded four interceptions (two for touchdowns). The Rams now sit at 4-6-1, though only have an outside chance to make the playoffs. They do, however, get to host the 49ers this coming Sunday and try to damage a division rival.

11/22/12: There was a lot of speculation that the Rams would face a starting Tim Tebow last Sunday, and that the Rams were poised to beat the struggling Jets. Neither happened. The Rams started strong, building a 7-0 lead, blocking a field goal and stuffing a fake punt. But they could not sustain the defense and then could not get the offense going after Danny Amendola hurt his foot at the end of the first half. They lost 27-13. Now they must regroup and head to Arizona. The Rams beat the Cardinals earlier in the year at home, but St. Louis has stumbled since then and need a win to keep any playoff hopes alive.

11/15/12: For all those complaining about the replacement officials earlier in the season, the real refs did not fare too much better in the Rams game at San Francisco. The refs allowed 72 seconds to tick off the clock and bungled several calls. St. Louis actually ended up tying the 49ers, the first tie in the NFL since 2008. Sam Bradford threw for 250 yards and two TDs, in one of his better efforts this season. The Rams head back home so the circus - the New York Jets - can come to town this Sunday. A win against the Jets would give the team hope for a playoff spot, though there is still a lot of football left to be played.

4/12/12 A disappointing 2-14 finish in 2011 has left the St. Louis Rams with a lot of question marks heading into the 2012 season. Quarterback Sam Bradford is entering his third NFL season and has yet to make the strides that the Rams had hoped he would make by this point. Although he missed several games due to injury in 2011, Bradford threw only 6 touchdown passes last season and the Rams have a number of holes that need to be filled on both sides of the ball before the season begins. They hope to address these needs through the upcoming NFL Draft and in free agency.

St. Louis Rams Tickets - Team History

Playing their first full season in 1936, the Rams are one of the oldest franchises in the NFL. Once representing the city of Los Angeles, the Rams have called the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis home since 1995. A 1999 Super Bowl that featured 'the greatest show on turf' ushered in a five-year era where the Rams were one of the most prolific offenses the NFL had ever seen. It's the Sam Bradford show now, and 2011 is a major test on the team's road to recovery.

St. Louis Rams Tickets - 2011 Season Info

With the Rams, it seems like it's going to be all about timing. Sam Bradford was spectacular in his rookie season, and there's no reason to believe he won't be even better in 2011. As fantasy football owners would tell you, running back Steven Jackson has been one of the league's best backs the past few years. Yet Jackson's entering his 8th year, and the job description of an NFL ball carrier does not carry with it the promise of longevity. Hopefully Jackson still has a few years of his prime football remaining. The Rams need help at receiver, and it remains to be seen whether third round selection Austin Pettis or fourth-rounder Gregory Salas will provide any. A season- ending injury to Mark Clayton hurt the team last year, but even a healthy Clayton does not rectify the situation. The Rams are also below average defensively. North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn, the team's first pick in 2011, brings potential to a defensive line that includes Chris Long and James Hall, and Ohio State product James Laurinitis is a tackling machine at linebacker. The secondary is weak, however, and losing Oshiomogho Atogwe makes it even weaker.

St. Louis Rams Tickets - 2011 Schedule

The extended offseason is definitely a negative for a team trying to build on its 2010 turnaround. St. Louis opens away against the Eagles, who possess what might be 2011's best overall offense. Games against the Giants, Ravens, Packers, Cowboys, and Saints in weeks 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 give the Rams an incredibly difficult first half of the season. Division matchups in the weak NFC West don't start until week 9 at the Cardinals. Perhaps the early season gauntlet will toughen St. Louis, or perhaps they will already be out of contention by the time divisional matchups start. Only the games can dictate.

St. Louis Rams Tickets - The Players

The good news for the Rams is that they still have Steven Jackson and Sam Bradford who showed he as the ability to be a franchise starting QB. The other good news is that last season division rivals Seattle Seahawks were the first teams ever to make it to the play offs with a record below 500 and beat defending champs the Saints in the first round. Any given Sunday, right?. This means the Rams don't have to have the greatest record. They will probably just have to be slightly above average to get to the play offs. Their defense wasn't too bad but wasn't anything to be proud of. There is still a rebuilding process. Like I said earlier. Steven Jackson will be carrying this team on his back while Sam Bradford develops and gets a viable first receiver to throw the ball to.

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