NFL training camp 2015: Priming all 32 teams
Overview
It seems every year, we are talking about the St. Louis Rams are going to break out in the NFC West and finally compete with the big boys. Then, come October, we are all discussing what a massive bust they were … again. However, 2015 has the look of a different age in St. Louis after general manager Les Snead decided to double down this offseason.
Snead made the trade of the offseason when he landed Nick Foles (and somehow a second-round pick in 2016) from the Philadelphia Eagles for Sam Bradford. Then, Snead took another big shot by drafting running back Todd Gurley in the first round, despite the University of Georgia star coming off a knee injury. Add on the signing of Nick Fairley, and the Rams are in business.
Major Battle
Who will be the backup quarterback in case Foles goes down with an injury. Last year, Austin Davis got ample time but was nothing special. In the draft, Snead took Sean Mannion out of Oregon State in the middle rounds, a kid with potential but in need of seasoning. CasE Keenum is also in the mix, a player with experience as a starter with the Houston Texans.
Expectations
The hope here is to make the playoffs. It would be unrealistic to believe St. Louis is going to best the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West, but it should be better than the San Francisco 49ers and depending on how Carson Palmer plays, could be equal to or better than the Arizona Cardinals. Playing a last-place schedule, the Rams could be a wild card team.