Well there it is another game, another loss.  Questions and answers surround every team and with todays games arise the same questions that seem to surround our team.  What will need to do put together the right formula for winning.  I know when we came into last offseason we entered with several questions, i.e.: offensive line, salary cap, receiver depth, depth behind Jackson, a true QB, defensive line, safety questions, holes at LB, a coaching question, and if I missed any please forgive me.  The answers we came with when this seasons started with were two additoins to our offensive line, an excellent strong safety in Butler, a new coach in Spags, a committment to Bulger, a second round pick for MLB from Ohio, and several cuts (including some into the season) to create some space in the cap.  We left the questions of a true QB, can the defensive line put it together (many thought they would under Spanguola), experience wide receivers (Robinson is a fine acquisition with a history of injury in his short career), and no one behind Steven Jackson.  The current results are a 1-11 record that simply states this team has not found the formula to find victory.

Being honest and being blunt, I am not sure all the question marks left running into the season are our primary reason for our record.  Actually I would place the primary factos on two sources more than any, equally in which I speak.  The two I have identified is the extremely difficult schedule that we started with and we will finish with, and the equally attorcious play calling this year on offense.  Now there are so many other things that have gone wrong, particularly the complete vacuum that occurred at wide receive this year that has led to countless drops (I am sure someone knows the stat on this one), and the lack of experience route running necessary, but every game it is absolute triumph when we find the end zone, knowing we may not see that territory for a week (as today was a prime example).  No the schedule we saw was admonishing and one only a proven team could take opening in Seattle (a bad team who play very difficult in their own building) and then fly across country to Washington (another bad team, but better than most realize).  Only to come home to a very powerful offense in Green Bay, and the story goes on and on, but the play calling has just guaranteed loss in so many games.  From a virtual committment of other teams to stack 8 or even 9 guys in the box to stop Jackson, you would think the offensive game plan would be at least two-four times a game send a receiver deep with max protect and use the speed we do have, but we don't.  Fact is the play calling is so predictable it seems every defensive coordinator comes in with the same strategy, have our passing game beat them.

Now back to what this post was meant to state, we left las season with several questions and some are answered but heading towards the last four games here are questions we have and somethings we need to identify:

1) Our QB, Bulger who was actually respectable this year is certainly going to be released and how do we plan to address this position.  Do we look to the draft, free agency, or to Boller or Null?

2) There is no depth at RB, we are going to wear him, Jackson out before his time, and we need to do something quick to help alleviate his load.

3) The Line actually looked really good (I have watched every game this season and can't believe the improvements), but Barron leads all offensive line men in penalties (surprising holding is at 7) and is a free agent.  Do we let him go and how do we address the position?

4) Receiver Depth is actually better than we thought, thanks to the additions of Gibson (who looks very good depsite his fumble today) and Amendola (who is good for a big play every game, along with a gut wrenching drop).  This unit looks to have made significant improvement during the season, but is there a number one in the mix here?  Is Robinson a player we can actually count on to be healthy?  Where would we look for a number one?  Free agency, trade, or draft?

5) How do we fix the defensive line.  Who knows if they bring back Carriker, but for certain we need a presence that is explosive, dynamic, and capable of eating up blocks.  I certainly see Ryan making plays, but you hear his name called out maybe three, maybe four times a game.  I like what I see when Scott is in there, but is he the presence we need?  Depth and a mean man in the middle is definitely an area that has to be addressed and quick.

6) Linebacker, trading Witherspoon brought much more than the pick and the possible talented wide receiver.  It brought cap flexibility (as did the trade of Hill) and brought a big gaping whole at the weakside.  Is Vbora (forgive the spelling) the right guy, is Lenon still a big man to rack up tackles at the other side.  This year's draft has some depth at LB particularly the kid from UCLA who may fall into the third round, but is the draft where we answer a position where you need an explosive ball hawk of a player?

7) What do we do about our offensive play calling.  Really?  Switching out coordinators particularly out of the West Coast means putting all these young kids (at receiver) into learning mode and spending a season adjusting to it.  Can we trust Schumer to improve?

So many questions, but truly this year did bring some essential answers for building a winning program.  Offensive Line is paramount and our took huge strides to become a very good one.  Our new MLB is a beast and a gamer, and our secondary is actually not that bad (don't judge Bartell the guy has played hurt all year).  Now what do you think?

I am no fan of Bulger and quite frankly equate many of the problems we saw last year on his absolute atrocious play, but his year I am happy to say I am eating crow on some well put together drives this year. So let me be the first (for a Bulger doubter, and I still remain in that category) that Bulger is not the reason we are losing our games right now.  Though he does not play a dynamic game that reins in play and puts together victories, his play has been solid and in many cases the problems with the receiving corp have severely brought his play down.  To be right on the point Bulger has truly overcame some serious flaws in his game of late to show that he actually has manned up.  He is sitting strong in the pocket, delivering good balls, and hitting receivers in stride and delivering a decent long ball (the interception in the first half was his fault).  Truth be told Bulger is not the problem and nor is he the solution, so no this is not a total endorsement for him to be our QB, but simply a recognition that he came into this season scared and quite frankly a liability, now he is a slight benefit, not a game dominator, but not the game loser.  In fact to identify the problem with the team and its ridiculous start we can equate this to a primary fault of design.  That is the personnel decisions in the offseason obviously couldn't all be answered and our full knowledge of the lack of WR was apparent, but when I speak of design I should be clearer and state the obvious.  The Rams suffer from a form of dementia for identity crisis.  Our team simply put has no identity on offense, unlike a schizophrenic that has many identities, our team can't find one or perhaps maybe there is confusion in our identity.  Our play calling is highly reflective of the style that was employed with the Eagles where the running game was created by the passing game.  Instead of playing smash mouth football the team utilized misdirection’s and trickery to induce mis-position by the other team to elevate their running attack.  What our coordinators don't realize is that is Marc Bulger not Donovan McNabb and that is Stephen Jackson not Brian Westbrook.  Meaning McNabb's elevated play and leadership make him the game dominator and the primary focus of defenses, but our strength and focus is not our QB, but our all pro Tail Back Jackson.  Westbrook's stats and abilities are highly affected by the overall success of the passing game, but we are not that team.  Instead of trying to trick people out of position we need to get simple and mean and that is done with two TE sets, full back in the backfield and smash that stupid ball down teams throat.  That is in my humble opinion.

It seems everyone who ever talks about the Rams one and only Superbowl winning team forgets that besides the Greatest Show on Turf (offense), that the defense was phenomenal that year.  They were ranked number one against the run and sixth overall.  They had a dominant front line, that just flat out dominated teams, solid backers, tough corners.  Just something to point out, everyone is so quick to forget this fact, particularly the media.  That year we guys like Carter, Windstrom, Fletcher, Lyght, Mcleon, Farr.  All playmakers, something we desperately need this year.

That is a heart beat check of Rams Fans, what do we want as Rams Fans for future games to be our QB.  Now before voting please keep in mind this weekend's debacle was more than just any one person's fault, but needless to say QB play was extremely disheartening in its entirety.  Now  do we do any of the following based one of the following schools of thoughts?  Please comment on which one you picked and why. 

Without question this was exactly the opposite of what desired, desgined, or developed by the Rams Coaching Staff.  What seems so mystifying by the management seems crystal clear to the patrons.  The Rams into today's game with unknonw expectations, but what developed today is all too much a reflection of what is known.  Being Honest this is just one fan's observations:

1)  Without any hesitation Richie Icognito needs to be benched or released, that kind of intensity is fantastic, but that kind of thoughtlessness is atrocious.  Why in the world would there be any discussion, or hesitation in this decision?

2) The defense gave up... Some played hard, but it was obvious they played some great downs made some great plays and realized the offense was not there.  Give credit to where credit is due, and say that definitely the Seahawks have a sound offensive strategy built around key players that they have developed, but anyone who has played or coached in the game knows.  If you know your defense or their offense is not allowing any points to be scored, then it is quite easy and comfortable to do your job.  The opposite is extremely true for the Rams Defense, knowing not the other defense is playing stellar (which always fired me up), but that your offense just looked anemic (which always brought me down), really puts you in a position where you are wondering how can you score points to bring your team back in it.

3) Bulger should not have started, though I am hoping that he will return to being an accurate passer, I am not sold on him as he only had limited time pre season with his team and he still shows the same jitters.  The O line actually played a strong game outside of Icognito's and Bell's missed blocks, they gave him more than enough time in a three step offense.  Yes the receivers were not getting seperation, but nothing can change the fact that when he is going to his third or fourth option he is throwing hurried, and this bring up an excellent point in support of the Bulger Supporters.  That is when Bulger was throwing to his first read he was putting the ball quite well, but when he reached this third he was completely hurried and not delivering anything close to a clean ball.  Though Boller did not impress upon me that he was some form of stud or for that matter a Bulger (first read only), he did seem competant in moving the chains.

4) Why did we not pound this ball?  Why did we give up on the run so early, Bulger is fidgety and we put the whole game in his hands.  No punch at Bulger, but did we really entrust a guy who saw all of one game this preseason to beat our divisional rival, why wasn't the Stephen Jackson, Gado, and for that matter Mcmichael (Screen game), shown at all? 

This game really was about showing the NFL that a new tough, determined, and most importantly changed Ram football team was out there, but thiis looked almost exactly like last year's game in Seattle, except our defense made some great plays to start the game.

Constantly and consistently Rams Fans and Media bring up the capability and soundness of Bulger.  To be fair and direct, lets get some things straight...

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With the cap space is there a MLB out there that can be signed?  Though the idea of taking Curry is exciting, a veteran presence can be perfect for this team.  Especially considering, the state of the O Line.

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With cap space nearly gone, is it a forgone conclusion to waive or trade Pace and Holt?  With a possible 14 million cleared, by moving these players the Rams FO can create the cap space needed to address team needs.

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