Click here for NFC West Season Preview Part One: San Francisco Presents The New Look 49ers (Again)
Since the last time the Rams went to the playoffs (2004), they have had 6 head coaches, 23 starting QBs, and 8 offensive coordinators. It’s hard to win with so much inconsistency, and they hope to have a stable foundation going forward in their return to the west coast.
The new LA Rams have a blank slate in 2016, with new uniforms, a new city, a new stadium under construction, and if that isn’t enough, they have 2015 rookie of the year RB Todd Gurley, and a shiny new toy in #1 overall draft pick QB Jared Goff.
What Happened Last Year?
2015 Finish: 7-9, 3rd in NFC West, missed playoffs
Head Coach: Jeff Fisher
Offensive Coordinator: Frank Cignetti Jr.
Defensive Coordinator: Gregg Williams
Starting Quarterback: Nick Foles
Offense: 32nd (32nd passing, 7th rushing, 29th scoring)
Defense: 23rd (23rd passing, 20th rushing, 13th scoring)
Rookie running back Todd Gurley started off slow coming off knee surgery from an injury suffered during his final year at Georgia, but had one of the most impressive seasons by a first year running back once he was in the starting lineup. Gurley’s near-instant success along with his size, speed, and running style forced comparisons to 3-time NFL rushing champion Adrian Peterson, and Gurley was a no-brainer for Rookie of the Year, a title Peterson himself won in 2007. The comparisons didn’t end there, as Gurley was one of only two running backs to rush for at least 10 touchdowns in 2015, Peterson being the other.
Despite defenses stacking the box to slow down their star running back, Rams QBs and wide receivers had difficulty beating one-on-one coverage and produced the fewest passing yards of any offense in the league, one of many factors forcing first year coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr’s early exit.
On defense, the Rams boast one of the best top-to-bottom lines of any team in the NFL, but their average secondary struggled to contain opposing offenses, as they allowed 66 plays of 20 yards or more, 13th most in the NFL. LA is very close to being an elite unit, and with an abundance of young talent and defensive gurus Jeff Fisher and Gregg Williams working together, it won’t take long for them to be on the same level as division rivals and top-5 defenses Seattle and Arizona.
The Aftermath:
Head Coach: Jeff Fisher
Offensive Coordinator: Rob Boras
Defensive Coordinator: Gregg Williams
Starting Quarterback: TBD
The Rams promoted Rob Boras to offensive coordinator after Frank Cignetti Jr failed to promote a balanced offense and increase scoring. Boras will have more than just Gurley to use on offense this season, as the Rams traded up to select California QB Jared Goff. With Case Keenum in the lineup, the coaching staff could opt to give Goff time to sit and learn before taking over the starting job, but don’t be surprised if the high profile rookie is under center on opening day.
In order for the the Rams to get Goff, they had to give up three picks in the first 76 selections in 2016, along with a 1st and 3rd rounder in 2017. With limited picks in the top rounds until 2018, they will have to hold out hope that Goff provides a huge spark to their offense, and that their picks in the later rounds will provide quality depth down the road.
Roster Additions and Subtractions:
The Rams cut veterans DE Chris Long, LB James Laurinaitis, and TE Jared Cook shortly after their move to LA was announced, and with both starting corners free agents and only enough cap space to sign one long term, they chose to place the franchise tag on Trumaine Johnson and let Janoris Jenkins sign with the New York Giants. EJ Gaines is expected to compete with Coty Sensabaugh to take over the spot vacated by Jenkins, with the advantage going to Gaines as he had won the starting spot opposite Jenkins last summer before a foot injury derailed his season.
What Can We Expect?
After so many consecutive years of losing coming out of St. Louis, it’s tough to say what the new look Rams will do in their first season back in LA and if the change of scenery will be enough to flip the script.
They absolutely have a great core of top-talent as they have four players on offense drafted in the top-10 (Goff #1 in 2016, Gurley #10 in 2015, LT Greg Robinson #2 in 2014, and WR Tavon Austin #8 in 2013). The defense is equally stocked with young talent, with four players taken in the top-15 (DE Robert Quinn #14 in 2011, DT Michael Brockers #14 in 2012, DT Aaron Donald #13 in 2014, and LB/S Mark Barron #7 in 2012 (drafted by Tampa Bay)).
A roster stocked with talent is a huge step toward finally putting a winning team on the field, but there are enough question marks that you can’t call them a sure thing to make the leap in 2016. Boras took over an offense averaging 16 points per game and the team holding a 4-8 record, and helped lead the Rams to a 3-1 record over the final month while the offense averaged 23 points per game. If Boras can keep the offense at or above that level over the course of a full season, he would be in control of the #15 offense based on 2015 rankings, a huge leap over where the Rams were before he took over in week 12.
The expectations will be grounded given their recent history, but there is reason to believe that LA can turn it around and make it back to the playoffs for the first time in 12 years while posting a winning record for the first time since going 8-8 in 2006.
Schedule –
Home: Seattle, Buffalo, New York Giants, Carolina, Miami, Atlanta, San Francisco, Arizona
Away: San Francisco, Tampa Bay, Arizona, Detroit, New York Jets, New Orleans, New England, Seattle
The Rams will open their season with the #3 toughest schedule, and their home slate includes games against 2015 playoff teams Seattle, Carolina, and Arizona. They will also face two teams who finished with winning records in Buffalo and Atlanta.
The road slate is equally rough, as they face 2015 playoff teams New England, Seattle, and Arizona and will travel to face the Jets, who narrowly missed the playoffs with a 10-6 record and the #4 defense in the league.
Their offense will certainly be battle tested if they emerge with a top-15 ranking in 2016, as they will face 6 of the top-10 defenses from 2015 (Seattle, Arizona, New York Jets, Carolina, New England, and Tampa Bay).
Their defense will equally tested as they will face 7 of the top-10 defenses from 2015 (Arizona, Seattle, Tampa Bay, New England, Atlanta, New York Giants, and New York Jets).
Projected finish: 9-7, 3rd in NFC West, #6 seed in playoffs
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