Dan Pompei

The Rams had so many injuries last season that they are one of the most difficult teams to read in the NFL heading into 2008.

They may be more similar to the 8-8 team they were in Scott Linehan's first season in 2006. They could be better than that after Linehan has had time to fine tune his system and address the problem areas. Or perhaps the 3-13 record from last year was not a mirage.

The Rams want to believe it was, and it's hard to argue against them.

No team was hurt more by injuries than they were last season, as 27 players missed 152 games.

Quarterback Marc Bulger missed four games, and the Rams were not happy with the results when he was out. Hence the offseason acquisition of Trent Green (the Rams said goodbye to Gus Frerotte) Running back Steven Jackson also missed four games, and the team subsequently finished 25th in the NFL in rushing yards.

The offensive line was absolutely ravaged, as left tackle Orlando Pace sat out 15 games, guard Mark Setterstrom missed 13 games, guard Richie Incognito missed 12 games and center Brett Romberg missed four games. In the offseason the team made a substantial free agent investment to shore up the line, purchasing the services of guard Jacob Bell.

Defensive end Leonard Little missed nine games, but the Rams plan to be less dependent on Little for pass rush this year after using the No. 2 pick in the draft on defensive end Chris Long.

They have the makings of a fine defensive line with James Hall joining Little and Long at end and Adam Carriker, Clifton Ryan and La'Roi Glover providing the punch inside. If the line plays up to its potential, the back seven should have plenty of opportunities to make plays.

Hot seat
Some thought Linehan might pay for last season with his job. It wouldn't have been fair to have judged him on what the Rams did in 2007, however.

It isn't going to get any easier for him in 2008. If the Rams don't show significant improvement in Linehan's third year, he'll be on the firing line again.

The climate has changed a bit in St. Louis, with the passing of team owner Georgia Frontierre. Now the team might be sold. Upper management also has brought in Billy Devaney as executive vice president. His presence probably diluted Linehan's power in the organization.

Overheard at camp
While Linehan stayed, he did concede to make a significant change, replacing offensive coordinator Greg Olson with Al Saunders. Though Linehan has an offensive background, he is expected to allow Saunders to run the show.

Saunders has great success in Kansas City, but less success in his last stop in Washington. Still, he is regarded as one of the premier offensive minds in the game. His playbook also is one of the most complex, meaning the Rams offensive players will have a lot of learning to do in the next couple of months. Don't be surprised if the Rams offense has some growing pains early in the season.

Coming and going
The Rams cut ties with one of the most accomplished players in team history, wide receiver Isaac Bruce. At 35, Bruce undoubtedly has lost a step. The Rams plan is to replace him with a much faster player, Donnie Avery. The second round pick was the first receiver chosen in the draft, and might have been the fastest wideout from his class.

The Rams also made some waves on the first day of free agency by stealing kicker Josh Brown from the Seahawks, their NFC West rivals. The Rams thought Brown was the best free agent available at any position. It definitely must have seemed like it to them because Brown was known as "Ram Killer." He beat the Rams with last minute kicks twice in 2006, and is an 80 percent field goal kicker for his career.

Prediction
Don't expect the Rams to lose 13 games again. If this team stays reasonably healthy, they should flirt with the .500 mark at the very least.

They have very good players at key positions—Bulger, Jackson, Torry Holt, Pace, Little, Long, Carriker, Will Witherspoon and O.J. Atogwe. Now all they have to do is stay healthy.

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