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| The Rams had another season to forget defensively. They allowed nearly 30 points per game and ranked 28th overall defensively. St. Louis couldn't stop anyone on the ground, allowing nearly 155 yards per game. The addition of a new defensive minded coach Steve Spagnuolo should help, though, as well as taking linebacker James Laurinaitis in the second round of the draft. The Rams still lack a lot defensively, though. Their tackles haven't done much in recent seasons and the secondary is a big question mark. Ron Bartell is the No. 1 cornerback, but isn't anything special. And cornerback Tye Hill has been a bust since the Rams used a No. 1 pick on him. If the Rams have a strength defensively, they do a decent job of pressuring the quarterback. Leonard Little is a good rusher off the edge, and Chris Long should improve his second season in the league. The Rams got poor special teams play last season and are looking for a return man. Derek Stanley could be given the first shot, but hasn't done a whole lot in past chances in this role.
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The Rams have some sack potential, but the rest of their unit is bad. Spagnuolo is going to give this unit some life, but he still needs a lot more talent to make this a viable fantasy defense. |
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| Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams LB James Laurinaitis led the team in tackles for the fifth time Week 8. Laurinaitis leads the team with 74 tackles this season. |
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| Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams LB James Laurinaitis said he watches film on the plays he does not play well during so he can look for ways to improve and achieve perfection even though he knows that is unattainable. 'You can't expect to play in this league and go through a game with no missed tackles on your defense,' Laurinaitis said. 'But I think it's just that constant awareness of, 'Hey, don't try to be perfect, but still aim for it.' If you don't, (mistakes) become acceptable. And you can't let them be acceptable.' |
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| Jim Thomas, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports the St. Louis Rams have agreed to terms with second-round draft choice LB James Laurinaitis on a four-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed. |
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| Jim Thomas, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams LB James Laurinaitis said he is excited about his opportunity to start and wants to become a leader on the team. 'I'm excited about the new challenge. With me, you're getting a guy who's going to make every right decision on and off the field; who's going to be disciplined; who's going to be accountable. And who's going to make plays and be a leader for this team,' Laurinaitis said. |
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| Jim Thomas, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams LB James Laurinaitis figures to be the team's starting middle linebacker in Week 1 of the 2009 season. |
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| St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo said rookie LB James Laurinaitis will play at middle linebacker for the Rams. 'To me, he is a middle linebacker and that's where he'll line up,' Spagnuolo said. 'We'll get him out there and get to work this weekend.' |
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Injury Concern.