Fansided

Which NFL bottom feeders are primed for a turn around?

By Andrew Garda

Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) on the sideline against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) on the sideline against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Nick Foles (center) is introduced to the media at Rams Park. Foles is joined by Rams head coach Jeff Fisher (left) and general manager Les Snead (right). Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Nick Foles (center) is introduced to the media at Rams Park. Foles is joined by Rams head coach Jeff Fisher (left) and general manager Les Snead (right). Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /

St. Louis Rams

2014 record: 6-10

1st 2015 NFL Draft pick: No. 10 overall

Key Free Agency Acquisitions: Akeem Ayers, Nick Fairley

Turnaround in 2015? No

After one too many Sam Bradford injuries, the St. Louis (maybe Los Angeles?) Rams made a move, trading Bradford to the Philadelphia Eagles for Nick Foles and a draft pick. While Foles isn’t as good as his two-interception-season was, he’s also not as bad as he looked at times last year.

Unfortunately for Foles, his new offensive line is far worse than his old one and his receivers are not as good as they were last year (although to be honest, aside from Jordan Matthews, the Eagles don’t have much to sing about either).

His running game is shakier in theory, though LeSean McCoy was bad (and expensive) enough that the Eagles traded him as well, but on the plus side, his defense is a lot better especially against the pass. If the Rams defense can keep the game close, Foles will be much more successful.

Especially if they can get a top-shelf receiver in the draft. At the end of the day that might be the second biggest thing for them—get Foles a No. 1 receiver.

Of course, then they need the offensive line to step up. They cannot play as badly as they did last season if they expect Foles to stay healthy, forget about having him successful.

The key could be second-year lineman Greg Robinson, who the Rams will have at left tackle. Can he improve upon his rookie season? Was he dragged down by the poor play and injuries around him which left him without any reliable help?

I liked Robinson coming out of college, but felt he needed at least a year to improve his pass blocking and it showed in 2014. I believe he will play much better in 2015, and overall this line played well below what it is capable of.

In an NFC West which seems to be in some transition—we could do the flip-side of this piece and talk about the San Francisco 49ers’ impending doom—and there is room for the Rams to bounce back. The Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks are both going to be tough again this season and the schedule won’t be easy with the NFC North and AFC North on the docket. So they could make some noise.

Despite a better (healthier) quarterback and some improved line play, the overall offensive line issues and the schedule make me think this isn’t the year for a big turnaround. Sorry Rams fans.

Next: New York Giants

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