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My humble replies, just posted (no stealing my material, its copyrighted!! ha!)

BTW, I'm a little optimistic, I hope it doesn't show ;-)

All of the Rams' moves in the off season were positive ones. Its hard to argue that Faulk, Green, Timmerman, and Holt won't improve the offense. In addition, Miller now moves to right tackle, where he is better suited, and McCullom will move into left guard. This leaves center as the only questionable line spot. With the return of Greg Hill from injury, and a healthy Isaac Bruce, this team can put points on the board. Lots of points. If Robert Holcombe can be turned into an effective full back, then this offense is set for the year, and will be able to bring in quality players at the WR and RB positions in case injuries happen. With these weapons, Green should have an easier time than he had in Washington.


It is clear the Rams philosophy will be to out score their opponents in 99. With salary caps, one team can only do so much in an off season, and the changes so far have been extraordinary, by Rams standards. But losing McNeil was a positive, he was over paid for his performance in 98, and is still unsigned, as he simply wants more money than he is worth. Phiefer is a definite loss, but hopefully Collins can take on the veteran leadership role. McCleon improved last year as he saw more playing time due to the McNeil holdout. Bly will be worked in as a nickel back initially, but may press McCleon later in the season as a starter. Amp Lee will be on the team, unless a very good trade offer arises before the start of the season. A defensive tackle or full back (if Holcombe doesn't pan out) would be a good trade. Green came to the Rams because Martz came to the Rams, a package deal. He will be running the same offense as last year, with better players around him. So he will not be a one year wonder.


The Rams defensive front line won't be know as the fearsome foursome, but it won't be all that bad. With the Rams offense incapable of scoring in the first half last year, the defense was constantly playing from behind, and seeing lots of running plays to eat the clock late. If the offense puts more scoring drives together this year, the defense will be able to rest more, and the type of plays the opponent runs will change. So they are betting that a team down 10 points won't run up the middle that much, but will pass more, which plays to the defensive lines strength in rushing the passer. Carter, Farr, and Wistrom will all have a great time knowing that the other team has to think pass first, run second.


The good news is that the Rams staff has approach for Isaac Bruce, that everyone knows and will hopefully follow. The drafting of Torry Holt is the insurance policy against Bruce spending more time on the IR list. Az Hakim has looked good so far in mini-camps, and Proehl is a good possession receiver. There is also talk of using Marshall Faulk as a slot receiver, so if Bruce suffers again this year, there will be enough other options to turn to. The Martz offense will be spreading the ball around more, so look for Bruce to have lower stats even if he does play, due to the better players at running back and wide receiver.


When Vermeil took the coaching job, the Rams management felt they had a lot of young skilled players who only needed some coaching to become true stars. So Vermeil didn't start with wholesale changes the way Parcells did with the Jets. Well, Banks, Phillips, Gandy and Kennison proved otherwise. Vermeil likes the players with something to prove, who have a no nonsense approach to playing. The players he picked up this off-season all have that aspect about them. And the grumblers have all been told (or shown) my way or the highway. Martz has been a positive influence, and the reason why Green was acquired, and Banks traded. But Vermeil's influence has been off the field also. He has revamped the college scouting department and free agent scouting department. Given the poor results before he arrived, they needed it. There seems to be an overall plan this off season versus the ineffective approach of the past. While this may be his last coaching chance, he could go on to make a good general manager for the Rams or another team.