Rams camp is underway and is there ever a lot of story lines to follow. Firstly as I reported here on sportstalk a little while ago, offensive tackle Orlando Pace is on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list.
This is a blow to the team for sure. I know the Rams are probably being extra catious but with Pace missing all of last season and camp this year for the time being, he might be a little rusty in terms of game speed. Getting him back to 100% is essential though if the Rams want to challenge the Seahawks, Cardinals, and 49ers in the division, as he stabilizes the o-line.
Another man not in camp is starting running back, Steven Jackson. What a surprise it is to see a player in a contract year not in camp.
These types of things really hurt the NFL in my opinion, as it provides a distraction for the team and fans but I guess it is part of the game.
Iknow Jackson wants the Rams to commit on a long-term deal and something should get worked on before the start of the season or else he might bolt after the season. I think he wants to be assured of the direction the Rams are going as well as knowing full well that running backs don’t last long in the NFL so if there is an opportunity to cash in for the mega bucks, do it while your can. Could be a very interesting situation leading into the season.
What else to watch at camp you ask. The rookies at wide receiver, the o-line and d-line respectively.
Wide Receiver
Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton. Both want a shot as the #3 receiver and both have a different unique skill set. Avery is the burner while Burton is more a possession guy. The Rams are thin at the WR position and veteran Torry Holt is sure to see a bunch of double teams. So if one of these two can emerge that would really help the Rams strenghten their receiving corps.
O-line
With the loss of Pace, there is no one who has a guaranteed spot on the o-line except maybe for import guard Jacob Bell from Tennessee. Other than that the other line spots are very open and someone needs to step up to lead the o-line. Games are won in the trenches and a big reason for last years 3-13 season was because of a sub par o-line.
D-line
We all know that defesive end and #2 overall pick Chris Long should have one of the defensive end spots locked in either by the end of training camp or at some point during the season. Team him up with defensive tackle Adam Carriker and now the line is looking young and promising. But here comes the bad news.
Defensive end Victor Adeyanju is out for two to four weeks, which will hurt what the Rams had planned for him in terms of the defensive line rotation. As I have said many times, the Rams only got 5.5 sacks last year from their defensive ends, so losing Adeyanju doesn’t help.
However, if both Long and Carriker can provide some youth and playmaking to the line, this will go a long way to helping bolster what the defensive line already has in place with veterans such as Leonard Little, James Hall, and La Roi Glover.
So that is just a quick look at what is going on at Rams camp. What a great time to be a football fan. Can’t wait for some more action.
Femi
