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Saint Louis Rams Column
By:
Tim Aubuchon
2/16/09
The Rams,
They Are A Changin'
To the surprise of this Ram fan, and NFL insiders as well, Steve
Spagnuolo was hired as the teams 23rd head coach on January 17,
2009. It was a move that signaled the beginning of a new era in St.
Louis Rams football history. Regardless of the results achieved in
the Spagnuolo era, it became clear that football men were finally
making football decisions. It was the last nail in the coffin of the
John Shaw / Jay Zygmunt regime which cast non-football employees in
football decision-making roles. Finally, it showed the commitment
that St. Louis fans were waiting for from their ownership
(specifically, team owner Chip Rosenbloom).
Recently hired General Manager Billy Devaney has stepped into the
chaos created by the old regime and restored a measure of
trust among members of Rams Nation. The last month has seen numerous
changes to the front office and the hiring of Steve Spagnuolo's
staff for the 2009 campaign:
Offensive Staff:
Pat Shurmur - Offensive Coordinator (from Philadelphia Eagles)
Dick Curl - Quarterbacks (from Kansas City Chiefs)
Sylvester Croom - Running Backs (from Mississippi State)
Charlie Baggett - Wide Receivers (from U. of Washington)
Frank Leonard - Tight Ends (from Kansas State)
Steve Loney - Offensive Line (with Rams in 2008)
Art Valero - Assistant Offensive Line (with Rams in 2008)
Andy Sugarman - Offensive Quality Control (with Atlanta Falcons;
2007)
Defensive Staff:
Ken Flajole - Defensive Coordinator (from Carolina
Panthers)
Brendan Daly - Defensive Line (from Minnesota Vikings)
Paul Ferraro - Linebackers (from Minnesota Vikings)
Clayton Lopez - Cornerbacks (from Detroit Lions)
Andre Curtis - Safeties (from New York Giants)
Matt House - Defensive Quality Control (from Carolina Panthers)
Special Teams Staff:
Tom McMahon - Special Teams Coordinator (from Atlanta
Falcons)
Derius Swinton - Special Teams Quality Control (from University of
Tennessee)
Strength and Conditioning Staff:
Rock Gullickson - Strength and Conditioning Coordinator (from Green
Bay Packers)
Chuck Faucette - Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach (with
Rams in 2008)
As mentioned, key changes have occurred at the front office level,
as well. The new salary cap and contract guru is Kevin Demoff. He
spent the last three years as the Senior Assistant to the General
Manager in Tampa Bay. Mike Williams, formerly the Assistant Director
of Pro Personnel in San Francisco, is now the Director of Pro
Scouting in St. Louis. The Rams did not have a pro scouting position
in their front office structure previously. This was also a large
bone of contention for local fans and media.
The structure of the Rams organization has changed drastically since
the final seconds ticked away on the 2008 season. Just like the
turning of the calendar, the team has turned the page on its old
ways and embraced change. Of course, change doesn't always yield
positive or immediate results. However, the mere fact that the club
has realized the error of it's ways, and acted upon them, has earned
a dose of patience from the local community. Rams fans are ready to
win, and to win consistently, while doing things the right way. The
Rams have finally committed to a structure that empowers football
people to make football decisions, and I expect the commitment of
the local community to follow and grow stronger with each season the
team stays this course.
1/13/09
Since the closing of the
curtain on the Rams 2008 campaign and opening of their search for a new head
coach, speculation on organizational methods and intent have been rampant.
Recently promoted GM Billy Devaney, initially welcomed as a savior by the fans
and media, is already under scrutiny for the direction of the coaching search.
Interim head coach Jim Haslett, despite ending the season with a 10 game losing
streak, is a finalist for the position. However, Devaney is quick to assert that
it will be an open competition.
Initial reports indicated that
the Rams were only willing to commit $2.5 million per year to a new coach. This
automatically removed them from consideration for a front-running candidate such
as the Giants’ Steve Spagnuolo, who makes nearly that much as a coordinator.
However, Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom stepped forward with a rare public statement
asserting that GM Devaney was under no restrictions in hiring the best candidate
available; regardless of cost. This was a calculated move by Rosenbloom,
understanding that regardless of price, the Rams had little chance to secure the
services of Spagnuolo. Nevertheless, as designed, it may have pacified some
angry fans.
The Rams have now completed
first round interviews with
Green Bay assistant head coach – linebackers
coach Winston Moss, free agent and former Giant head coach Jim Fassel, New
England offensive coordinator – quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels, and Baltimore defensive
coordinator Rex Ryan. Interim head coach Jim Haslett and Vikings defensive
coordinator Leslie Frazier have been moved on to the final round based on
parameters defined by Devaney. It appears that the Rams would like to complete
their search by next Sunday, January 18, to allow full participation in the
activities at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, the following weekend. It would be a
critical time for the new Rams head coach to meet with currently unemployed
assistants and coordinators to assemble a new staff.
Many locals feel that the Rams
coaching search is nothing but an elaborate shell game leading to the selection
of incumbent Jim Haslett. The interim head coach is perceived favorably both by
Devaney and Rosenbloom. Haslett has managed to cultivate a good relationship
with local media, which appears to be spinning a return in a positive light.
These warm feelings have been amplified with the rumor that former head coach
Mike Martz may return to breathe life into the Rams stagnant offense. A huge
surprise considering Devaney and Haslett's commitment to a strong running game.
Despite the aforementioned spin, the
St. Louis community is a house-divided on this subject.
Many feel that a complete change is required at Rams Park. Haslett may not be the root problem,
but he also may not be the solution. I, myself, reside in this camp. Haslett’s
mere presence evokes recall of a losing culture. Further, his performance as
defensive coordinator since the start of the 2006 season hardly justifies a
promotion. Despite future results, retaining Haslett would temporarily signal
to Rams fans that the organization is too conservative and unwilling to make a
bold move. The majority of fans are craving a full and complete changing of the
guard. Anything less will be considered business as usual, and a continuation of
hollow promises.
12/14/08
Rams Face Uncertain Future on Multiple
Fronts
This years' 2-11 odyssey has been difficult to watch, but hard to ignore. There
is something fascinating about the human psyche that causes us to continue to
watch, and be almost mesmerized by, something which brings such discontent. As
if the current standard of play weren't disturbing enough for Rams die-hards,
there are greater long-term concerns that beg attention; primarily, the Rams
ownership and stadium lease situations.
In the aftermath of the passing of long-time Rams owner Georgia Frontiere, son
and new majority owner Chip Rosenbloom has made clear that his intention is to
sell the team to local ownership. Rosenbloom's mother was born in St. Louis in
1927 and took great pride in returning the NFL to her hometown and delivering
the first Super Bowl victory in the city's history. In the near future, however,
Rosenbloom and his sister Lucia Rodriguez could be on the hook for estate taxes
of up to 35% of the team's value (team value estimated at $929 million by
Forbes.com in September). This places Frontiere's children in a tough position
in which quick sale is perhaps the most favorable outcome. To date, it
appears suitors have been rejected due to a lack of St. Louis ties, or
discouraged by the state of our nation's economy. The St. Louis area
has lacked individuals with the money, influence and desire to provide local
ownership for sports franchises. Currently, none of the city's three major
sports franchises have local ownership (St. Louis Cardinals - (Bill DeWitt,
Cincinnati), St. Louis Blues - (Dave Checketts, Utah). When a St. Louis
institution like the St. Louis Cardinals cannot lure local ownership, this does
not bode well for the Rams future in the Gateway City. A recent rumor per the
St. Louis Post-Dispatch names a pairing of August Busch IV (former president and
CEO of Anheuser-Busch) and conservative political pundit Rush Limbaugh (a native
of Cape Girardeau, Missouri) as interested parties. Such a pairing would seem to
have the clout and contacts to make things happen even in a tough economy.
A second and related topic is the current Rams lease agreement with St. Louis
Convention and Visitor's Commission (CVC) on the Edward Jones Dome; the team's
home since 1995. The venue, although only 13 years old, does not hold a candle
to newly raised stadiums in Indianapolis or Arizona. Under the terms of the
team's 30-year lease signed in 1995, the CVC is responsible for ensuring that
the dome is considered in the top 25% of NFL venues. This review occurs every
ten years. After the latest review in 2005, the CVC was given an extension to
make the required improvements. Changes such as a new LED video screens
and lighting improvements are expected to be completed before the 2009 season.
With every year that passes, the ability of the CVC to upgrade the dome to meet
the lease agreement becomes more and more improbable. It is indeed like "putting
lipstick on a pig". The CVC / Rams lease review in 2015 will be a pivotal one
for the future of the team in St. Louis. How many improvements can the dome bear
before it is no longer cost efficient or reasonable to make changes to the
existing structure? If the CVC fails to meet the requirements, the Rams lease is
voided and replaced by a year-to-year lease. This would clearly open the door
for relocation. A new stadium, or the promise of one, will undoubtedly be
required to secure the team's long-term future. Requirements for the 2015 lease
review are expected to be exchanged by the CVC and Rams in 2012. NFL Hall of
Famer Dan Dierdorf (former CVC chairman) and fans are clamoring for a sooner
review and exchange of ideas prior to 2012.
St. Louis Rams fans may be worried about pass blocking, a stronger defense or a
new quarterback, but all of these issues may be moot if ownership and venue
situations aren't solved. In good times and bad, few organizations know drama
like the Rams. Let's hope that St. Louis won't be forced to, once again, watch
the moving vans pull out of town.
12/7/08
By:
Tim Aubuchon
Haslett's Stretch Run Has Begun
The eleventh hour is upon Rams Interim Coach Jim Haslett.
Rumors abound that new Rams owner Chip
Rosenbloom
has informed Haslett that two more wins will be sufficient to include him in the
Rams coaching race for 2009. In my opinion,
Rosenbloom is
being far to generous to Haslett. My assertion that Haslett must go is not a
knee-jerk reaction, but based on the Rams defensive statistics over the last
three years (Haslett served as Defensive Coordinator from the beginning of the
2006 season until after the departure of Head Coach Scott Linehan after Week 4);
Haslett was replaced as DC by Rick Venturi. The numbers below do little to distinguish Haslett
as worthy of the opportunity to lead the Rams into 2009 (let alone justify the
three-year contract that would likely be required).
Points Per Game (NFL Rank):
2006 - 28th
2007 - 31st
2008 - 31st
Yards Allowed Per Game (NFL Rank):
2006 - 23rd
2007 - 21st
2008 - 29th
Against the Run (NFL Rank):
2006 - 31st
2007 - 20th
2008 - 30th
One argument offered
by Haslett supporters is that he hasn't been able to select his own players. I
am not expecting The Fearsome Foursome to be crafted from the personnel offered
to Haslett, but a degree of
consistency
and growth is not too much to ask. The St. Louis defense has shown zero growth
in the last three years under his tutelage, and in fact, has digressed into the
abyss. Good coaches get the most out of the hand they are dealt. I am not
convinced that Haslett has made the most of his personnel, but instead used it
as a crutch to defend his record.
Sunday's contest at Arizona will be a continuation of Haslett's stretch drive.
If he is going to win the two games mandated by Rosenbloom, chances are that
they will have to be won in the Edward Jones Dome. Road games in Arizona and
Atlanta are unlikely to yield positive results. Both teams are in a playoff
drive and are unlikely to take any sympathy upon the downtrodden Rams.
The likely scenario is that St. Louis must win both of their remaining home
games against Seattle and San Francisco. The Rams have already dropped lopsided
road contests versus both the
Seahawks (37-13) and
49ers (35-16)
earlier this season. This will obviously be a tall task, indeed.
Owner Chip Rosenbloom has made no secret of his intentions to sell the team to
local interests. If Rosenbloom is to get the proper return on his investment,
and create local purchasing interest, the team must change it's image and
provide a better product. He must be coming to the realization, if he hasn't
already, that sweeping changes are required in St. Louis. Head Coach is among
the positions requiring change to energize the fan base and overcome a culture
of losing.
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