Rams trying to rest, regroup and refocus

By Jeff Dickinson  |   Wednesday, October 08, 2008  |  Comments( 2 )

St. Louis Rams
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The bye last week probably couldn’t have come at a better time for the St. Louis Rams. Coming off its fourth straight lopsided loss, the team had just fired its head coach -- who previously benched $65 million quarterback Marc Bulger.

In a season packed with bad news for the 0-4 Rams, the latest is that their next opponent -- the Washington Redskins -- is among the hottest teams in the NFL. The Redskins started the season 0-1, but they've bounced back to win four straight and emerge as a contender in the NFC.

After the Washington game, the Rams have the unenviable task of hosting the Cowboys (4-1) and playing at New England (3-1). For a team that's winless and hapless, facing three teams with a combined record of 11-3 probably isn’t a recipe for success.

Commentary: It remains to be seen whether interim coach Jim Haslett will be able to create a pulse in St. Louis. It was obvious that team morale was down with former coach Scott Linehan, especially after he benched Bulger before the 31-14 loss to Buffalo.

The first move Haslett made after replacing Linehan was to reinstate Bulger for the rest of the season. That erased any chance of there being a quarterback controversy with the Rams between Bulger and Trent Green. Bulger wasn’t the reason the Rams started 0-3 with him under center. Despite taking 11 sacks in three games, Bulger completed almost 60 percent of his passes for 500-plus yards during that span.

One main problem (besides the porous offensive line) for the Rams is the fact that running back Steven Jackson is the team’s leading receiver (20 catches). The Rams have to get Pro Bowl wideout Torry Holt more involved in the offense if the losing is going to end. Haslett also must get Jackson more carries. Through the first four games, Jackson is averaging just a shade over 18 carries a game and only has one touchdown.

Fan Pulse: Rams fans are still frustrated, but they're willing to give Haslett a chance. No one likes to see their favorite team lose, but to do so seemingly without much of an effort was too much for St. Louis loyalists to handle. Anyone who saw Julius Jones bounce off the Rams’ defenders like a pinball and run for a touchdown earlier this season had to be wondering if the 'D' actually knew how to tackle.

Fantasy Football Impact: At the start of the season, Bulger, Jackson and Holt were three prized fantasy targets. Now you can find them at the bottom of a team’s roster, buried there until they start to show some life. Jackson is the best bet to have a fantasy impact in the near future.

Injury Watch: Tight end Randy McMichael is out for at least two months and maybe more after his injury in the Buffalo game. Wide receivers Drew Bennett and Keenan Burton are expected back from injuries by the Dallas game on Oct. 19.
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About Jeff Dickinson

I have been writing and editing professionally for 18 years. I spent the first three years of my career as a sportswriter for a daily newspaper in Alabama and got to cover sports and get paid for it! It was great until I got married and then it wasn't too much fun being away from my wife every ...
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