Worst to First #31

The pre-season has begun and our collective semi-bone is creating a bulge that neither sandbags nor concrete dam could prevent from exploding in less than a month's time. With that said, allow us to stroke the fire, so to speak, and preview all 32 teams. Beginning with who we think will suck the most, and ending with who we think will suck the best.

b. Lee, once again.


Missourible



Quick; guess how many Rams fans attended the first game that took place in St. Louis once the franchise had moved over from Los Angeles in the Fall of 1995?

Trick question; there ARE no Rams fans in St. Louis.

But how can you blame the good people of the Gateway for never wanting to show up for football games? I mean, have you watched this team the last few years?

In 2008, the Rams averaged 14 points scored per game and allowed over 27 points per game. So no one can say that there is no scoring at Rams games. As long as you don't mind the other team doing most of the work.

And if you love punting, then boy, the TWA dome is the place to be!

But there is reason to be excited in St. Louis because this team is YOUNG. And I don't mean in terms of the way that St. Louisians usually get excited about that term.

The Rams secondary is full of second and third-year players, in addition to a number of rookies. One would think this would be a bad thing, but in actuality, the secondary was the lone bright spot on the entire team (albeit of a very faint one), ranking 19th in the league in passing yards allowed. Combine that with Oshiomogho Atogwe's ever-improving ability to patrol the defensive backfield and the Rams could actually stop a few offenses cold this year.

I mean, they won't, considering their pathetic inability to stop the run. But never fear, for Rams management has brought in some more youngblood in order to plug those ever-expanding running lanes. Namely, college stud James Laurinaitis. And although first-year linebackers can be hit or miss, Laurinaitis should be able to make at least some kind of instant impact, at the very least because the Rams rushing defense could not be any worse at the moment. I mean, they could be the Lions.

And of course, teams this bad don't just suffer from problems on one side the ball alone. To say that their offense is anemic is like calling Jennifer Aniston... well... anemic. With the 25th and 26th ranked rushing and passing offenses, respectively, the Rams could not have been more of a non-threat (unless they're playing the Cowboys... zing!).

The main reason for this lack of production has to be pointed at their offensive line (The Orland Pace era is officially over, but the way). Or, is it just that Marc Bulger isn't really good? Or, is that their best wide receiver is named Donnie Avery? Really you could pick anyone of these reasons.

Some good news? Well, you're still stuck in St. Louis BUT, Predator has still managed to scamper for over 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons even while only averaging 12 starts per season. So, if he can stay healthy and put together a full season of ball, then that could add some well-needed consistency to the attack.

But all in all, it looks like the Rams are building for the future, adding a string of rookie offensive linemen to the picture as well as one potential rookie superstar in Brooks Foster. But again, that is the future and not this year. This year, the Rams are still awful. Just no one in St. Louis will notice so, no big deal.