I mean, I THINK so. But I tend to bridle some at some of the exuberant optimism I see.

And, no, it isn't because I am conditioned to expect disaster by decades of Ram futility. Honestly, that's not it.

I just think that, in general, most projections for an upcoming year are based on the previous year's results. And, in today's NFL, I think that's really dangerous. I say it every year around this time, and every year several times rise and fall way beyond expectations.

Many a team has had a great year and then fallen off the following year. I submit that no one knows whether the Rams will be able to follow up an excellent year with another. Tougher schedule. An emerging book on dealing with our units. Injuries, especially with a very old LOT and LG who has struggled with injuries. A young QB who has to follow up. A RB who may have a pattern of good year--bad year--good year. Unproven LBs. A young coach who may or may not be able to make the adjustments needed to keep winning big games. Yadda, yadda, yadda. There are more unknowns than optimistic fans like to acknowledge.

And we face 2 unknown teams that may be pretty dang tough: SF and AZ. I think it would be foolish to rule them out until we see what they are becoming. SF especially is a promising unknown that could soar this year. Do you really think you can peg its ceiling?

There is a category of team that can be counted on to win most every year. There are very few of those teams. To get into that club, you have to DO IT year after year.

We have had 1 good year. We got spanked in our 1st playoff game. We have added some talent. There is reason to be very hopeful. But we've only had the one good year. We have not yet earned the league's conviction that we will, again, be a top team.

Are we the team to beat in the West?

I like our chances. But I really don't know.