I think that the Rams will improve over the season, hopefully playing their best ball in December. This is due to the rookies naturally adjusting to what the coaches expect and responding to the faster pace of pro ball over college.
Plus, it will take time for groups like the OL to mesh - I don't expect them to come out of the gate ready to play, unless McVay gives them decent reps together in the preseason, which I can't see happening.
Rapp will get reps replacing Kiser at LB, getting him on the field with Waddle and Johnson - that gets a "hot damn" from me.
Long will take time to adjust, IMO. Figure that he'll be eased in, like JJ his rookie season.
Henderson, OTOH, should be ready to go early. He's running a similar system to what he had before - if he can pick up the blocks he needs, then he'll make an impact early in the season.
So I look for the Rams to hopefully steal a few early game before hitting their stride later in the season. IMO it will be more challenging than last year, and equaling their 13 wins from last year would be a major feat. I see them going 11-5 or 12-4, maybe 13-3 if they can pull out some close wins early in the season. Hope that McVay plays key groups like OL together in the preseason as we looked sluggish last year against the Raiders. Can't afford the same thing against the Panthers on their home turf.
RFS69
