R2E Outlooks: St. Louis Rams
Part 2 of 32 Team by Team Outlook.
(AP - Seth Perlman)
2011 Summary: The 2011 season for the Rams was a total disappointment. After a 7 – 9 finish in 2010 with a rookie QB the Rams looked to be on the rise with a lot of young talent. The Rams however took one big step backwards and it started with their 2011 draft. The Rams attempted to add weapons on offense for Sam Bradford but struck out as WR’s Austin Pettis and Greg Salas were big disappointments and TE Lance Kendricks underwhelmed in his rookie campaign as well. The offensive line gave up 54 sacks which is a major issue for the Rams especially with a young QB. Bradford spent most of the season battling injuries and the Rams were forced to use 2nd and 3rd options at QB but none of them were able to generate any success. Though Bradford was only 1 – 9 in the games he started, though the lack of weapons and protection certainly did not help his cause...
<< MORE >>The NFL Pro-Bowl: Does Anyone Actually Care?
Crazy Super Bowl Prop Bets 2012
R2E Outlooks: Indianapolis Colts
Part 1 of 32 Team by Team Outlook.
2011 Summary: The 2011 season for the Colts was over before it even really began. With Peyton Manning going down with a neck injury the Colts were without their Hall of Fame QB and leader of the team. The loss of Manning had a lot greater effect on the Colts then most people imagined and his loss highlighted a lot of major problems of the team. The Colts started the season 0 – 13 and were routinely beaten badly. They were able to salvage two wins at the end but those only moral victories to avoid going 0 – 16...
<< MORE >>NFL Draft 2012: Senior Bowl Thoughts
Quinton Coples (DE - UNC): Coples entered the week as highest rated prospect as most people thought he could be a Top 10 pick. Coples however has had character issues and people have claimed that he simply gives up at times. Coples however solidified himself as a Top 10 pick this week. He routinely destroyed offensive lineman (namely Zebrie Sanders) and showed off his impressive size and strength. He is a great pass rusher and with a weaker crop of DEs this year, Coples will easily now be the #1 DE in the draft. His character concerns still exist, but with his impressive talent many teams would be willing to over look past problems. Stock Change: Solidified Top-10
Grading the New Coaches
Romeo Crennel, Mike Mularkey and Jeff Fisher
Kansas City Chiefs:
The Pick: Romeo Crennel - The Chiefs were the first team to select their new head coach and they also probably made the safest pick. Crennel who was the team’s defensive coordinator and was the team’s Interm Coach was promoted to Head Coach. Crennel has worked under the likes of Bill Parcells with the Giants and more famously under Bill Belichick and the Patriots. His stint as the Patriots defensive coordinator from 2001 – 2004 were what really gave him recognition as a coach. Crennel then moved on to be the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. His time as head coach of the Browns was a mixed bag. Three of Crennel’s seasons in Cleveland were pretty terrible as the team went 6 – 10 and 4 – 12 twice during his tenor as coach. The lone bright spot was the 2007 season when Crennel was able to lead the Browns to a 10 – 6 regular season record and make Derek Anderson a Pro Bowler (Incredible, I know). After he was fired from Cleveland following his last 4 – 12 season, he took a year off then returned to football as the Chiefs coordinator. Under his leadership the Chiefs defense was able to finish 11th in overall defense and seems to be a vastly improving unit. With the firing Todd Haley, Crennel was named Interm Head Coach and proceeded to lead the team to two victories in the last three games including beating the undefeated Green Bay Packers (This was the Packers only loss all season).
My Take: The hiring of Crennel was a very smart one by the Chiefs and almost a decision they truly had to make. Crennel is beloved by many of his players and other coaches which would have made it difficult to pick anyone else for the job. Crennel also has a large NFL coaching resume and has experience as an NFL head coach. Overall the decision is one that is very comfortable for the Chiefs. Crennel knows their system, knows the players and has their respect. While for some fans Crennel might not be the flashiest selection, it really is the best fit for the Chiefs. Grade: A
<< MORE >>R2E's 2012 NFL Mock Draft
1. Colts – Andrew Luck (QB – Stanford): At this point all logically signs point to Luck being the pick. New coach as of Tuesday, new GM, Peyton unsure about injury and the general consensus that Luck should be the #1 pick. Unless something crazy happens, Colts fans will being seeing Luck’s name mocked to their team all the way until April.
2. Rams – Matt Kalil (OT – USC): The Rams could roll the dice on Justin Blackmon in this spot but I highly doubt it. Blackmon has shined especially during his bowl game but Blackmon lacks the elite speed that Dez Bryant or other Top 10 receivers had. The Rams should and will play it smart and draft Kalil who is easily the best tackle in the draft. The Rams have more pressing needs but Kalil’s talent is hard to pass and with Bradford in need of any help he can get, Kalil will be the pick.
3. Vikings – Justin Blackmon (WR – Oklahoma State): The Vikings would have liked for Matt Kalil to drop to them but Blackmon is good pick up. Percy Harvin has proven himself as a solid option but I think he would be better served as a #2 receiver. Either way the Vikings need someone other than Harvin catching the ball as their other options are not that good. Blackmon could come in and play alongside Harvin right away. Blackmon probably will not be as good as A.J. Green was this past year but Blackmon will still be a top receiver in this league at some point. This will also give Ponder another weapon to help his development.
Previously: Morris Claiborne (CB – LSU)
Baltimore Left Out, Pats Super Bowl Bound
49ers Fumble Away Superbowl Chance
