Are the Rams the best in the NFC West?
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/round-two/article_54bd64fa-fbd9-11df-aa04-0017a4a78c22.html
BY REID LAYMANCE www.STLtoday.com | (5) Comments | Posted: Monday, November 29, 2010 9:52 am
Are the Rams the best team in the NFC West?
BRYAN BURWELL:
The Rams are showing all the signs of progress that lead you to believe they are the best of this mediocre division. But it is a fragile status because one or two critical injuries can alter things instantly. You saw how effective the passing attack can be with Danario Alexander and Michael Hoomanawanui in there. But a high ankle spraing knocked Big Mike out for the next few weeks and Alexander's fragile knees could go at any time. Winning on the road in Arizona against a Cardinal team working on a short week will cement my opinion that they are the best in the West.
JIM THOMAS:
Sam Bradford has progressed to the point where he might be the best quarterback in the division, no disrespect to former Pro Bowler Matt Hasselbeck. But I still want to see the Rams win another game on the road -- say in Arizona this Sunday -- before I'm convinced they have a real chance to win the NFC West.
BILL COATS:
Because they are the one team in the division that seems to be improving as they go, the Rams probably are the best in the West right now. The defense and special teams are struggling a bit but quarterback Sam Bradford and his receivers are meshing nicely and helping to balance out the offense.
KATHLEEN NELSON:
For the moment, sure, but that's not saying much. The NFC West is the NFL equivalent of the NCAA's Big East conference in football: not one team above .500 in the division, not one ranked team in the Big East. The Rams score more points (19.4) and give up fewer (21.0) than the other three teams. But look at that ratio. The good news is that they have to play each of their division opponents again in the final six games; those three games provide opportunity to take command.
JEFF GORDON:
They can earn that title by winning in Arizona. The NFC Worst is there for the taking. The Seahawks are beat up. The 49ers are trying to dig out with Troy Smith at quarterback. The Cardinals are hamstrung by terrible play at that position. Sam Bradford and the improving Rams offense give this team a clear shot at winning the division. Injuries could change all that, of course, but the Rams have a real shot. Beating the Gridbirds on the road would give this team the opportunity to do the unthinkable -- make the playoffs.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/round-two/article_54bd64fa-fbd9-11df-aa04-0017a4a78c22.html
BY REID LAYMANCE www.STLtoday.com | (5) Comments | Posted: Monday, November 29, 2010 9:52 am
Are the Rams the best team in the NFC West?
BRYAN BURWELL:
The Rams are showing all the signs of progress that lead you to believe they are the best of this mediocre division. But it is a fragile status because one or two critical injuries can alter things instantly. You saw how effective the passing attack can be with Danario Alexander and Michael Hoomanawanui in there. But a high ankle spraing knocked Big Mike out for the next few weeks and Alexander's fragile knees could go at any time. Winning on the road in Arizona against a Cardinal team working on a short week will cement my opinion that they are the best in the West.
JIM THOMAS:
Sam Bradford has progressed to the point where he might be the best quarterback in the division, no disrespect to former Pro Bowler Matt Hasselbeck. But I still want to see the Rams win another game on the road -- say in Arizona this Sunday -- before I'm convinced they have a real chance to win the NFC West.
BILL COATS:
Because they are the one team in the division that seems to be improving as they go, the Rams probably are the best in the West right now. The defense and special teams are struggling a bit but quarterback Sam Bradford and his receivers are meshing nicely and helping to balance out the offense.
KATHLEEN NELSON:
For the moment, sure, but that's not saying much. The NFC West is the NFL equivalent of the NCAA's Big East conference in football: not one team above .500 in the division, not one ranked team in the Big East. The Rams score more points (19.4) and give up fewer (21.0) than the other three teams. But look at that ratio. The good news is that they have to play each of their division opponents again in the final six games; those three games provide opportunity to take command.
JEFF GORDON:
They can earn that title by winning in Arizona. The NFC Worst is there for the taking. The Seahawks are beat up. The 49ers are trying to dig out with Troy Smith at quarterback. The Cardinals are hamstrung by terrible play at that position. Sam Bradford and the improving Rams offense give this team a clear shot at winning the division. Injuries could change all that, of course, but the Rams have a real shot. Beating the Gridbirds on the road would give this team the opportunity to do the unthinkable -- make the playoffs.
hno:
