Rams Should Focus on Needs, But Also Think Ahead

Trying to decipher on who and where first the Rams should focus their attention on when adding new players to the mix is only the first of many questions the Rams face in the upcoming FA and subsequent draft. Obviously their main focus will be on finding players to better stuff the run up front, but how many games have special teams blown for the Rams in '06?

Plenty. Too much to be ignored, that's for sure.

The Rams don't have nearly as many holes to fill as they did about this time last year, but there is no room for wasting picks.

Run Defense: When Marc Bulger's offensive line started to click in the last few games of the season, it shed new light on how vital it is to not have the middle of the D - line as such an enticing point of attack Not only is it attractive to play-making running backs, but the hotter the offense gets, the more attractive this option becomes to stunt the Rams offense. It's simple really, pound the Rams relentlessly with the run which they can't stop, keeps the offense off the field, eats the clock and wins games. The Rams need to find that big fat space – eating machine to fill the middle of the line. They don't need to have the number one rush defense to be effective, middle of the pack would do nicely.

Special Teams: My prediction is that Willie Ponder will not be a good enough option for '07. He did alright – average; but the Rams need a difference maker who's young fast and fearless enough on returns to make a difference. They need to resign Isaiah Kacyvenski and keep him as their captain. They must re-sign Matt Turk as well.

Wide Reciever: With Kevin Curtis probably going away along with Shaun McDonald, now is a great time for the Rams to go after that angular, special – type player to develop in Isaac Bruce's shadow. Bruce still has a couple good years left in him, but look for his role to decline after that. And there is no better place on this planet for a young developing receiver to be than in the company of Henry Ellard, Isacc Bruce and Torry Holt.

So while it's important to address immediate needs, it's also important to keep feeding the offensive machine the Rams are known to be.