I think one thing that is overlooked it that the Rams were close to winning the Superbowl and immediately jumped into 2 unproven 2nd year players the following year.
I think that is fine for a marginal team, but If I am a Superbowl contender, I try to keep that window open and at least get one experienced or highly touted lineman in there. The 49ers did it. They knew their LT was retiring and instead of drafting a rookie or plugging in 2 year tackle, they went out and got a Pro Bowl LT.
I do think young players can grow and get better and contribute and even be good, but as many here have said that takes time.
I think we saw how that turned out last year for the Rams. Yes they were close to being 10-6, but they also could have easily been 9-7 and they did miss the playoffs.
RIP Bucky - 7/25/1943 - 1/19/2013