Teams poised for a Super Bowl run: Part 1

10. St. Louis Rams – Unlucky to miss out on the play-offs last season, the Rams, led by Coach Spagnuolo, have been busy during the draft and free agency, strengthening their offensive core around young quarterback Sam Bradford. With many believing they will struggle with a tough schedule, I believe they will show their true colours when Philadelphia Eagles come to visit the first week of the season.

In his rookie year, Bradford surpassed Peyton Manning in pass completions and if he continues to follow in Manning’s footsteps, avoiding the sophomore slump, the Rams could make a realistic run for the Lombardi trophy. The Rams were lacking a back-up running back to support Steven Jackson but have recently picked up Cadillac Williams in the free agency. Will he be able to perform though? If not, it puts a lot of pressure on Jackson and could be the difference between success and failure this year.

9. Houston Texans – Brimming with potential, could the Texans finally pip the Indianapolis Colts to the AFC South crown? With a threatening offensive line-up, including Matt Schaub, Arian Foster, Jacoby Jones and of course Andre Johnson, they were unfortunate not to come away with a positive record last season. The main problem for the Texans was on defense – last year they had the worst secondary in the league. That could all change this season with the appointment of ex-Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator, although missing out on Nnamdi Asomugha was a huge disappointment.

With Peyton Manning still recovering from a neck injury, the Colts could begin the season with quarterback Curtis Painter, a player with only two miserable games under his belt so far, where he threw two interceptions and was sacked three times. Seemingly anything but a sturdy leader, the Texans could get an early advantage over their league rivals in week one and lead the league from the start.

8. San Diego Chargers – The Chargers are simply too talented not to make a run. They have had a lot of potential for a number of years now but always seem to falter at some point during the postseason. Similar to the Philadelphia Eagles, every year they seem to cruise into the play-offs – with the exception of last year – despite poor performances at some point during the regular season, only to be dumped out unceremoniously before the big game. Granted, last season was a blip, with a few results not going the Chargers’ way, but statistically they have the makings of something great.

The Chargers are still coached by Norv Turner – who is now entering his fifth season – but with such a talented roster at his disposal, many fans see him as a scapegoat for the team’s failure to make the Super Bowl in recent years. Last season the Chargers finished with a 9-7 record, unfortunately falling short of the play-offs, but statistically they had the number one offense and defense in the league. What’s more, they are led by Philip Rivers. He posted the most yards of any quarterback in the league with over 4,700. The defense amassed 47 sacks and gave up the least first downs in the league. They were also placed fourth-best in preventing third down completions.

One key area that needs addressing is the rushing game. With Darren Sproles having signed for the Saints it means Mike Tolbert and Ryan Matthews must step up, otherwise the Chargers could be made to seriously regret ever letting LaDainian Tomlinson go. I comfortably see the team going 4-1 in their first five games of the season, finally shaking their slow-starter tag. The Chargers will regain their AFC West throne and cause a few upsets in the play-offs.

7. Dallas Cowboys – The Cowboys have laid dormant for most of Free Agency so far – but don’t let that fool you. At the start of last season, most fans were tipping them for success in the Super Bowl – played at the brand new Cowboys stadium. Despite having all the components to be serious title contenders, a 1-5 start meant the season was all but done before it had really started. And when quarterback Tony Romo broke his collarbone in week seven, any slim hopes they harbored of reaching the play-offs were gone.

This time round, however, they have Romo back healthy, and head coach Jason Garrett at the helm. Garrett appeared to revitalize the Cowboys in the second half of the season, but by then it was too little, too late. The Cowboys are a talented team and already have all the talent to take them to a Super Bowl. The question that remains is whether Romo can overcome his play-off demons and finally lead his team-mates to the big one. Watch out for Dez Bryant and Miles Austin to put up big numbers this season as well.

6. Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens are a team with the talent and potential to go the distance and this season is surely theirs for the taking. If they want to win the Super Bowl they need to do it soon, before their defensive playmakers Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs, Dominque Foxworth and Ray Lewis are past their best. They also need to find a way to overcome the Steelers when it comes down to the wire.

The Steelers are the biggest obstacle standing between the Ravens and a shot at Super Bowl success, and last season they came ever so close to overcoming their old foes, only to crumble in the second half of their Divisional match-up. However, they have a great opportunity for revenge in the first game of the season at the M&T Bank stadium – one which is surely a ‘must-win’.

Offensively they have the skillset to get the job done. In quarterback Joe Flacco's short career with the Ravens he has demonstrated delicate poise and maturity to lead the Ravens to three consecutive play-off appearances. Accompanied by star running back Ray Rice and wide receiver Anquan Boldin, the Ravens have strengthened their roster still further this season by acquiring fullback Vonta Leach from the Texans.

Bush Destination Unknown?

According to recent reports from the NFL.com’s Jason LaCanfora, it sounds likely that New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush could be set to depart from the Superdome.

Currently still under contract with the Saints, Bush, 26, is now after a substantial salary which the Saints look unlikely to cough up having just drafted Mark Ingram Jr.

The 2010 Super Bowl winner has already been linked with the Miami Dolphins, who are looking to provide backup to veteran running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Bush has also been linked with the St Louis Rams and even more interestingly the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Rams have been looking to fill a running back role to supplement top NFL rusher Steven Jackson. They have also been linked with the San Diego Chargers’ Darren Sproles. Bush’s elusive and quick nature would definitely be an interesting contrast to Jackson’s obvious physical talents. The other upside to Reggie Bush is that he is a well-established pass catcher, similar to Jackson, so he would offer another dimension to the Rams’ rapidly developing offence under new coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Judging by current speculation, St Louis appears a more fitting destination for Bush, although admittedly I would welcome Bush to the Eagles. He could be a perfect addition to the offence as a relief running back and punt returner. He could also play a pivotal role on tough downs and would be well-suited to adopting a role equivalent to former Eagles player Brian Westbrook as the battering ram the offence needs.

He does, however, seem to play a very similar role to current running back LeSean McCoy, in that they both have the ability to catch the ball and gain big yardage from pass plays when a quarterback is forced to make a last-second check down. My view is that if the Eagles are looking for a running back to complement McCoy, they would be better suited to chasing after one with more physicality, similar to what the Rams have already.

On reflection it would seem that Bush coming to the Eagles would be more of a luxury rather than a necessity. I think a team such as the Dolphins or Rams, who already have a starved offence, would surely reap the rewards that Bush has to offer more than Philadelphia.

Football is back!

Finally, after months of uncertainty, the NFL season is back.

The lockout, which had threatened to derail the 2011 season, was nothing short of a roller coaster ride of tense negotiations between team owners and players.

With many fans unsure if we would get a season at all, the recent news from NFL.com that a new CBA or Collective Bargaining Agreement has been agreed by both players and NFL owners has no doubt left many, including myself, elated.

Since the previous agreement expired back in March, both sides have spent months negotiating a way to bring an end to the lockout. The disagreement, which was essentially down to a dispute of how to split the sport’s multi-billion dollar fortune, was seemingly drawing to a close on Friday – with the owners agreeing to the latest CBA.

Unfortunately, however, the players took a little longer to agree to the terms, resulting in the cancellation of the Hall of Fame game between the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams scheduled for the 7th August. I guess on the upside for the Rams this wasn’t necessarily bad news considering the Bears have never lost a Hall of Fame game, but football is football!

Now, as we look ahead to what could be one of the most chaotic weeks in American football history, we will finally be able to answer so many of the questions that fans have had during the off-season. The end of this week will definitely be an eventful one. Free Agency opens up on Friday, resulting in what will be a bitter scrap for the league’s top players – including Pro Bowl corner Nnamdi Asomugha and veteran Super Bowl-winning WR Santonio Holmes.

With such little time to prepare, it could well alter many experts’ predictions of division winners and play-off bound teams. It will be interesting to see in Week 1 who will have a post lockout hangover.

But, more importantly, the good news is that we won’t have to go through another lockout again for a long time – after the latest CBA was signed as a 10-year deal with no room for negotiations.

For now, I’m delighted to say it’s ‘Game time’ again!

Rams close to fitting missing pieces of the jigsaw – Part Two: Offense

Despite the obvious need to surround Bradford with weapons for his sophomore season, there were a lot of observers left with raised eyebrows when the Rams took TE Lance Kendricks from Wisconsin in the second round, and two very similar receivers in Austin Pettis out of Boise State and Greg Salas from Hawaii in rounds three and four.

Securing the services of the athletic Kendricks appeared odd to a lot of fans because of the decision to take two development TEs in Michael Hoomanawanui and Fendi Onobun in the 2010 draft.

However, considering new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels – previously head coach at the Denver Broncos and OC at the Patriots under Bill Belichick – likes to employ a spread offense with two TEs it is understandable why this decision was made. It also provides a nice comfort blanket for Bradford, in the form of a solid check-down option with good hands, and an equally useful blocker for Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson.

There was also frustration at the choice of two very similar receivers in Pettis and Salas – both of whom are big, strong receivers with solid hands and great route-running ability, but who lack the explosiveness and speed of a number one receiver.

However, it is important to point out that last season the Rams struggles were not in moving the ball down field, the problem was picking up six once they reached the red zone – something which Pettis, Salas and Kendricks will all help address because of their route-running ability. And it must also be stressed that an out-an-out no.1 receiver would not solve this weakness in the Rams’ offensive unit.

Adding three new weapons for former Heisman trophy winner Bradford has now given the team serious depth in their receiving corps – enhanced by the return from season-ending injuries of Donnie Avery, a speedster who was selected ahead of Eagles stand-out receiver DeSean Jackson in the 2008 draft, and veteran Mark Clayton, who gelled well with Bradford in the short time he was on the field after joining from the Ravens.


Although he will hit the free agency market when the lockout is over, Clayton has expressed a desire to return to St Louis, and the Rams will surely look to snap up his services sooner rather than later. Then there’s Missouri wide receiver Danario Alexander – a guy who was undrafted in 2010 but signed by the Rams after Clayton went down injured. He struggled to stay healthy all year – part of the reason why he ended up signing with St Louis as an undrafted free agent after putting together stellar collegiate numbers in 2008.

However, if he can stay healthy there is real hope from within the organisation that the glimpses he showed last season were just a snippet of his talents. If he can fight off competition during training camp and gets an extended run in the team then he is a legitimate candidate for the number one receiver spot for years to come.

With Clayton, Avery and Alexander looking like shoe-ins for three of the receiver spots on the roster, and Amendola developing nicely as a slot receiver last season – much in the mould of Wes Welker, it leaves two players part of last year’s team out in the cold. Assuming the Rams do not cut this year’s third and fourth round draft picks, it would seem that Brandon Gibson and Laurent Robinson will likely be the two receivers released.

Then there’s the running back dilemma. Steven Jackson has been outstanding, there is no question about that. Last year he became the Rams’ all time leading rusher, surpassing the previous record set by Eric Dickerson. But he has been asked to carry the team for the past seven seasons and now the rebuilding finally appears to be taking shape it is crucial the Rams sign a change-of-pace back to help share the load.

San Diego’s Darren Sproles has been mooted as a potential addition to the team, and would seemingly be a perfect complement to Jackson in a feared running back tandem. Similarly, the explosive nature of Reggie Bush, who was vocal about his displeasure in seeing the Saints draft Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram in the first round last month, would turn the offense and special teams unit into an exciting and potentially devastating force.

The tackle spots on the offensive line seem set for years after Saffold, a second round pick in 2010, had a breakout year protecting Sam Bradford’s blindside and former number two pick Jason Smith finally found his feet on the right. With one of the most consistent and reliable center’s in Jason Brown bolstering the line the only real upgrades needed appear to be at the guard positions.

Veterans Adam Goldberg and Jacob Bell do not appear to be long term solutions for the Rams. Both struggled badly towards the end of last season, failing to create the necessary holes and running lanes for SJ to burst through. John Greco showed glimpses of potential but failed to remain healthy on a consistent basis. That means it is imperative the Rams pick up at least one guard in free agency and another in the later rounds of the 2012 NFL draft.

The only other area of need which many believe can be addressed in the free agency market is an out-and-out number one receiver. Having discussed the various options the Rams already have at this position it doesn’t appear to be that much of a glaring need. One thing is for sure, coach Spags believes above all else in playing for the team and having players with strong characters to be a part of it. It wouldn’t make much sense going out and grabbing Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens or Randy Moss because they’re likely to upset the apple cart and do more harm than good.

That leaves the only other option being Sidney Rice who may well hit the market from the Vikings. But despite having clear potential, as was demonstrated when he put together such impressive numbers with Brett Favre at the helm in 2009, Rice was hampered by injuries last season. And he wouldn’t come cheap either. The Vikings are likely to want at least a first-round pick for someone who has been a focal point of their offense – and that’s if they let him go at all. This move seems like a stretch for the Rams, and again one which seems unlikely when considering how coach Spags has built his team up till now.
The smart money says Spagnuolo sticks with what he already has and lets Josh McDaniels work his magic. And judging by the new offensive coordinator’s previous record, there is a distinct possibility he could ignite the passing game, while balancing it off with the consistent and devastating threat posed by the evergreen Steven Jackson.

Rams close to fitting missing pieces of the jigsaw – Part One: Defense

After a breakout season for last year’s number one draft pick Sam Bradford, and a young defense which stepped up to the plate under the stewardship of head coach Steve Spagnuolo, Rams fans can be forgiven for believing a return to the good ol’ days of the ‘the greatest show on turf’ aren’t too far away.

Most of the talk pre last month’s draft was dominated by speculation that the Rams needed a no.1 receiver to provide a weapon for offensive rookie of the year Bradford. However, when Julio Jones excelled at the Scouting Combine there was no chance either he, or number one receiver in the draft A.J. Green, were realistically going to fall to St Louis at 14 without a team putting together an expensive package like Atlanta did to grab him as high as six.

The Rams have too many other needs and could not afford the luxury the Falcons had to exchange multiple first and second round draft picks. Disappointing though it was that they were unable to add Jones to the roster, when general manager Billy Devaney and coach Spags saw DE Robert Quinn – rated by many as the best pass rusher in the draft – drop into their laps in the middle of the first round it was an opportunity too good to miss.

Quinn offers an immediate upgrade to the front four and will likely create a formidable pass rush with four-year veteran Chris Long – a former no.2 draft pick in 2008 – and the experienced sack machine James Hall, 34, working in rotation – a tactic coach Spags employed with great success as defensive coordinator of the Giants.

Although the loss of pro-bowl safety O.J. Atogwe to the Redskins and the lack of a ‘shutdown’ corner have created a couple of glaring holes in an inexperienced secondary, the pressure up-front from Hall, Long and Quinn should be enough to counteract this weakness.

Either way, it is clear the Rams need to lure a veteran strong safety or cornerback from the free agency market to put together what would be a young and formidable defensive machine. The best available would be former Oakland Raiders defensive back Nnamdi Asomugha, but it is unlikely St Louis will have the financial resources to tie down a guy who is seen by most as the best cornerback in the game.

The lack of talent in the free agent market at that position is why there were cries from fans to snatch Prince Amukamara instead of Quinn in the first round of the draft, before he ultimately fell to the Giants.

But although it would have significantly enhanced the secondary there would still be the need of addressing the safety position, and it’s clear that, despite an ultra-productive season in 2010, Hall is unlikely to hit the same heights with his aging body, meaning Quinn’s selection was the more sensible. Especially as C.J. Ah You struggled badly as the third DE towards the end of the season, after what had been an encouraging start.

Instead, coach Spags has placed his faith in veteran cornerback and defensive captain Ron Bartell to lead the back seven alongside battalion leader James Laurinaitis – who was the centre piece of a stellar defensive unit at the middle linebacker spot. Bartell needs to marshal second-year cornerback Jerome Murphy, rookies Jermale Hines, Mikhail Baker and Jonathan Nelson, and promising young DB Bradley Fletcher – who collected four takeaways last season.
But the team is still short of experience on this side of the ball.

If St Louis could attract the services of safety Eric Weddle from the Chargers, Ike Taylor from Pittsburgh and an OLB like Chad Greenway from the Vikings, they could be the missing pieces of the puzzle. And signing players like Greenway, Taylor and Weddle to help mentor St Louis’ young group of defenders brings with it the real potential of turning the rebuilding franchise into one of the most feared outfits in the NFL.

It’s a long-shot, but coming off the back of a season where the team won more games than the previous three put together, the mere talk of it has got Rams fans excited about the team’s future.