Is it time for the annual "the Rams could be good this year" parade? The NFC West is such a tough division that it's no surprise the Rams weren't competitive last season, even if experts thought they might be on the verge. Still, at the risk of making the same mistakes, the Rams did have a productive offseason and made some serious changes.
The oft-injured Sam Bradford is out while Nick Foles is in, and the team drafted four offensive linemen to try to keep him from suffering the same fate as Bradford. But with two returning starters, Rodger Saffold and Greg Robinson, coming off surgery and the influx of inexperienced rookies, the OL will still likely be a work in progress. Even so, the Rams clearly have an offensive identity now -- one that hinges on a strong running game and the hope that rookie running back Todd Gurley will be healthy and live up to his tremendous potential.
Key Players
Tavon Austin, WR
The Rams have a new offensive coordinator, and that could mean big things for Tavon Austin.
Daren Bates, LB
Turf Show Times, SB Nation's Rams blog, described Bates as a "human firecracker who could go off at any moment," and most of that has come to fruition on special teams. The undrafted linebacker made a niche for himself on special teams by being fearless and crazy, successfully and unsuccessfully jumping over long snappers to attempt to block field goals during the 2014 season.
