MVN - Most Valuable Network

Hapless Rams face suddenly hot Saints

Today, I’m delighted to post a guest column by my good friend Punit Vachharajani. Punit and I have talked Rams football for a long time, so I have a twofold pleasure in introducing you all to him: he’s taken care of a game preview, my absolute least favorite type of column to write, and he’ll soon be joining us here at RAMblings as a site writer. So please, join me in extending a warm welcome to our very own, Punit.

There is good news and bad news for the St. Louis Rams as they prepare for their Week 10 match-up with the New Orleans Saints.

The good news: Steven Jackson is “100% healthy” (again) and back in the starting lineup. This team is built upon Jackson’s broad shoulders, and his play seems to revitalize and inspire this team like nothing else can. To see just how important Jackson is to the Rams, look no further than the first quarter of the Cleveland game. Those two successive touchdowns, an unprecedented accomplishment in this disaster of a season, were clearly due to Jackson’s return and his potent presence in the backfield. Presumably his re-return will re-reenergize the team and lead to a better offensive showing against New Orleans than we have seen in previous games this year—assuming, of course, that he doesn’t re-injure his groin, his back, or some other as-yet unhurt part of his body.

And then, of course, there is the bad news. The bye week, which is supposed to be a time for a struggling team to recuperate and get a fresh start, was rather harsh on these Rams. Leonard Little, who has long been the best defender on the team, is out for the season. This is, to say the least, a disastrous loss that will severely weaken the defense and undo the marginal progress defensive coach Jim Haslett has made.

To add to the list of bad luck—and it seems almost superfluous to keep saying it—the Rams are once again changing around their offensive line. Richie Incognito had knee surgery on Tuesday that will put him out four to six weeks, though Brett Romberg may be able to return this week. Dustin Fry, a lowly practice squad-er, is now on the roster, and if the O-linemen keep turning their ankles and twisting their knees at this rate, it won’t be long before Fry gets regular playing time. The Rams still are not sure who will be playing center or right guard on Sunday. As usual, none of this bodes well for Marc Bulger’s already-battered ribs. Expect several more hard hits, sacks, knockdowns, and general manhandling of the Rams QB come game time.

Steven Jackson’s return will revitalize the offense, but Leonard Little’s injury will leave the defense even more porous than usual, and no amount of Jackson magic can make up for that deficit. New Orleans’s offense, which looked so anemic the first few weeks, is suddenly resurgent and has won its last four games to get back to .500 for the first time this season. With first place in the NFC South within reach, Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, and company are hungry and are playing at the peak of their abilities, something the Rams cannot do with half the team listed on the injury report. Look for higher-than-average scoring by the Rams, but even higher scoring by the Saints, and a final score of RAMS 20, SAINTS 34.

This entry was posted on Saturday, November 10th, 2007 at 1:16 am and is filed under Rams Defense, Brett Romberg, Rams Offense, Rams Players, New Orleans Saints, Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams, Dustin Fry, Richie Incognito, Leonard Little, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.