The Return of Max Q ?

The anticipation of the 2003 season is just down right itchy. The various roster changes have truly made the offseason a thing to watch. And when it is all said and done.Will we see a revival of Max Q once more?

The Return of Max Q ?
By Oscar F Lopez

The big question for the upcoming season for the St. Louis Rams is will this team stay healthy enough to compete in the end. The resigning of key components in the offensive line was a good start. By keeping Adam Timmerman and Andy McCollum, it ensured that the new acquisitions will have resources. The emphasis on acquiring offensive help, showed the fans that the Rams were serious about making 2003 successful and ensuring protection for their top superstars in Warner and Faulk.

The additions of caliber players like Kyle Turley from the rival New Orleans Saints and Dave Wohlabaugh from the Cleveland Browns make this line tough. Wohlabaugh is a good pass blocker, with Orlando Pace on the undecided stage, the Rams are just moving forward. In my opinion one lineman does not deserve the amount of money in discussion. And as far as Jay Zygmunt is concern ,this organization will not waste resources to supplement a player with injury concerns the last two seasons.

The resigning of Torry Holt and the combination of Holt and Bruce makes them one of the NFL's best tandems.The departures of Proehl and Wilkins allows the Rams flexibility to upgrade with draft picks.The likes of Kevin Curtis and Shaun McDonald will get the opportunity to start in the 3 or 4 receiver roles, if Troy Edwards doesn't produce.With Brandon Manumaleuna replacing Ernie Conwell, the Rams' tight end worries post a question on how durable will he be? Given Conwell was pretty durable in key 3rd down needs.

The defensive line is still the same group that help keep the team in games all season. Coming into the 2003 campaign, the Rams must show pass rush in order to compete with tough NFC defensive tandems.The teams' best standout last year was Leonard Little who has registered 261/2 sacks in the last two seasons. Little forced fumbles and showed his pass pressure in the process with his sack contributions. With the addition of Jimmy Kennedy. The Rams display this season four first round picks. the likes of Wistrom('98), Pickett ('01), Lewis('01), and now Kennedy.

The linebackers lack of production was ugly. The cover 2 scheme depends greatly on speed and agreessive approaches to the football. This group produced somewhat neither elements. The lack of sacks, interceptions and poor tackling was alarming. The starters in Polley,Thomas and Duncan must improve greatly. With lack of size, the shifting of positions to better accommadate each players skills is a start in the right direction.

The secondary on the other hand was to be key for the previous season and it to became a nightmare. The injury to Aeneas Williams was a total dagger in the heart. The lowest total in interceptions since 1993 with 12.And allowed a 63.3 percent completion rate from opposing passers making it a franchise mark. With ankle and fibula injuries Williams was regelated to a substitute coach on the sidelines, leaving Travis Fisher, Adam Archuleta , and Kim Herring to make up the difference. With a healthy Williams and the questionable addition of former New York Giants Jason Sehorn,this line could be somewhat improved.

The special teams side of the ball was just horrid. The coverage was not a happy thing to watch. Jeff Wilkins and Mitch Berger were just not impressive. With Sean Landeta at punter now the Rams have some hope.The probable candidates for the punt return duties include; Lamar Gordon and Troy Edwards. The combination of Edwards and Gordon should put Bobby April's heart at ease.

Overall the Rams have done a great job of supplementing the needs of the team with wise salary cap decisions with key additions to enhance the overall performance both offensively and defensively. The Seahawks and 49ers did not make much changes in the offseason to show how well the changes turned out. Mike Martz guides the ship and the retention of top talent from previous seasons at key positions. The fans and the city of St. Louis expect this team to return to Super Bowl contention in the end.

The Field Goal