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49ers 2009 opponent breakdown: St. Louis Rams (Week 4 and Week 17)
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Marc Bulger hopes to lead the Rams offense back to
where it once .
(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The division rival Rams have hit hard times recently. Over the past two season, the team has only won five games. With the departure of some key veterans like Orlando Pace and Torry Holt, the Rams are looking to start a new era in St. Louis.
There is a hope that Marc Bulger can regain the success he has had in years past, but it may be a long season for the Rams offense. Let's take a look at the team.
2008 Record: 2-14 (4th NFC West)
Last meeting: 12/21/08 @ St. Louis (49ers win 17-16)
2009 schedule: Week 4 @ San Francisco, Week 17 @ St. Louis
Top 3 best players: QB Marc Bulger, RB Steven Jackson, S Oshiomogho Atogwe (has yet to sign the franchise tender)
Notable draft picks: T Jason Smith, LB James Laurinaitis
Notable new acquisitions: TE Billy Bajema, QB Kyle Boller, C Jason Brown, S James Butler, FB Mike Karney
Notable losses: TE Anthony Becht, WR Drew Bennett, QB Trent Green, T Orlando Pace, WR Torry Holt, DT La'Roi Glover
In the team's attempt to move forward, the Rams have hired former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to help lead the team back to a winning record.
As seen in previous seasons, Spagnuolo has done a tremendous job in building a strong defensive Giants unit. Now with the Rams, he looks to help improve the 28th ranked defense and the 27th ranked offense (in terms of yards forfeited and gained, respectively).
Taking a look at the offense, the Rams are now without Torry Holt and Drew Bennett. Last year, Donnie Avery stepped up and looks to be the lead receiver in a very different looking wide receiver group. Along with Avery, Keenan Burton, Laurent Robinson and Derek Stanley will all have to step up to help the rebuilding offense.
The offense is fortunate to have a healthy veteran Randy McMichael back with the team after missing 12 games last year. McMichael hasn't reproduced numbers like his 62-catch season a couple years ago with Miami, but the offense will most definitely rely on his hands to help the very new wide receiver group get into the flow of the new offense.
The team's best offensive player is still running back Steve Jackson. After an explosive 13 touchdown 2006 season, Jackson has been limited to only 24 games in the past two seasons due to injuries. A healthy Jackson can easily gain over 1,000 yards on the ground and collect over 60 passes.
All of that might rely on the hands of veteran Marc Bulger. Even though there is a somewhat decent backup in Kyle Boller, this has to be Bulger's job to keep. Unless Bulger stinks it up, Bulger will remain as the starting quarterback. His play has dropped significantly in the past two seasons and it would be very interesting to see if he can regain the level of play that has helped the Rams teams of old make the playoffs.
The Rams are also without veteran Orlando Pace at tackle but with the second pick, they hope to establish a strong offensive line in Jason Smith. Only time will tell how this draft pick will work out.
On defense, the Rams will hope that linebacker Will Witherspoon can regain his old form. Since joining the Rams in 2006, Witherspoon has collected 116, 110 and 72 tackles in three season. With the drafting of rookie James Laurinaitis, the linebacker group (along with Chris Draft, Larry Grant or David Vobora at the strongisde) are hoping that they can force pressure on the quarterback and prevent big plays to break in the open field.
The pass rush for the Rams lies on the hands and feet of Leonard Little and Chris Long. Little has established himself as a fine defensive player and as the second pick last year, Chris Long has shown that he can live up to the billing of his draft status.
The Rams have put the franchise tender on free agent safety Oshiomogho Atogwe. As one of the best emerging safeties in the game, the 49ers understand that the will have to be careful in their passing game down the field. In fact, the 49ers are probably going to try to expose the secondary of the Rams since both cornerbacks Tye Hill and Ron Bartell are coming back after having down years.
The 49ers shouldn't look past the Rams. In their last meeting, the Rams held the 49ers rushing attack in check and forced Shaun Hill to three interceptions. It took clutch performances by Hill, Isaac Bruce and Josh Morgan to help the 49ers win 17-16.
The 49ers offense should be more prepared to establish a good start on the ground and with the collection of new wide receivers, the 49ers have a lot more options to open up the field.
On defense, the 49ers must contain Steven Jackson out of the backfield. Jackson is not only a threat on the ground, but much like Frank Gore, can catch the ball out of the backfield.
Last year rookie sensation Donnie Avery will be the top receiver the 49ers also have to keep an eye out for. His speed will most definitely be a concern for the cornerbacks. If the 49ers get beat at the line with Avery, it will be a very tough task for either safeties to try to cover all the ground with Avery.
The Rams are in a rebuilding stage and it might take a while before they find their way back on top of the NFC West title hunt. The 49ers have more talent on their side and should win both of these games. But much like the last game, if the 49ers struggle and give the Rams any window of opportunity, sweeping the series will be hard.
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