When will the Rams compete

I would like to say that I understand what the Rams are working toward, as we move into the 2013 football season. They seemed to have drafted well. In Jeff Fisher's second year at the helm, expectations are high following the Rams 7-8-1 record a year ago. Unfortunately, I've seen them play twice this preseason, and I just don't get it. Yes, there is new personnel, but it really doesn't look any different on the field so far. SJ39 left town for younger, faster backs, but the production is no different. At least we could count on Steven Jackson not to fumble the football.

Football analysts and experts keep saying, "They're not going to open up the playbook in preseason." Coach Fisher himself has said he would not show them everything. Okay, that's fine. They're still getting embarrassed, on the field, and they're still playing undisciplined football. I have to believe that Fisher's "vanilla" approach is not unique. All the other NFL coaches aren't just throwing the kitchen sink at the Rams in the preseason either. Yet it still looks like the Rams are completely over-matched.

So, when can we as Rams fans, expect some improvement? When can we as Rams fans expect to see fewer mindless pre-snap penalties? When can we as Rams fans expect to see some plays that actually make sense in 3rd & long situations? Yes, they moved the ball fairly well in the middle of the field against the Packers, but in the Red Zone, the Rams are atrocious, and have been for several seasons. When can Rams fans expect this team to COMPETE?

Baseball has a saying, "You can't walk off the island." Meaning, you need to swing the bat to get hits, and drive in runs. There are times when taking a walk is prudent, but hitting is the biggest key to scoring runs. The Rams settle for 3 points far too often, and have been for years. You can't kick your way off the island either. Scoring touchdowns is how you win football games, especially in the NFL. The Rams cannot score touchdowns in the Red Zone, and frankly, they look confused when they get close to the goal line. They appear to be afraid to run the football, which is what good teams do, when they're close to the goal line. The play calling is poor at best. Preseason or not, bad football is just that, bad football. Call it "vanilla" all you want, at least vanilla ice cream tastes good. I don't think anyone who watched the Rams last night, could have possibly been left with a good taste in their mouth this morning.

I was very happy when the Rams went out and got Jeff Fisher. Clearly, the atmosphere in the organization has changed. I think it's much more positive now, and I think there's a collective goal to return the franchise to being a winner. They're inviting past greats back into the fold, to work with young players. I guess I'm just wondering when all those changes are going to translate into better play on the field? Losing begets losing. Anyone who has ever played a sport knows that. Losing becomes the norm. It spreads through a locker room like a fungus, and even when you disinfect one spot, it's still festering in others.

I wonder if I'm being too critical of the Rams. After all, it is only preseason. My question again, when can we expect to see something different? Week 13? I know these games mean nothing. But it would be very nice to have SOMETHING to look forward to. Someone mentioned that the preseason can be misleading. Teams can look very good when it means nothing, and fall apart when the games count. Even our Rams went 4-0 in the 2011 preseason, and everyone thought it was a new day in St. Louis. They ended 2011 with a 2-14 record.

Maybe it's all a trick. Maybe the switch will flip over to "ON" in week one. Rams fans can only hope so. I wouldn't mind if they lost all 4 preseason games, if there was some kind of fiber to chew on. If there was something pointing towards improvement. Only time will tell, but after 2 preseason games, it's already looking like it could be a very long football season in St. Louis.

SPz Y