Kickoff Primer: An instant guide to the 2016 Los Angeles Rams
AFC Previews
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BAL | CIN | CLE | PIT
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CHI | DET | GB | MIN
ATL | CAR | NO | TB
ARI | LA | SF | SEA
Los Angeles Rams
| 2015 Record | 2015 Finish |
|---|---|
| 7-9 | 3rd in NFC West |
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Jeff Fisher
Offensive Coordinator: Rob Boras
Defensive Coordinator: Gregg Williams
Key Additions
- QB Jared Goff (1st round)
- CB Coty Sensabaugh
- DE Eugene Sims
- TE Tyler Higbee (4th round)
- WR Pharoh Cooper (4th round)
Key Departures
- CB Janoris Jenkins
- DE Chris Long
- DT Nick Fairley
- S Rodney McLeod
- RB Trey Mason (Did not report)
- LB James Laurinaitis
- TE Jared Cook
- QB Nick Foles
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Projected Starting Lineup
| Position | Starter |
|---|---|
| WR | Kenny Britt |
| WR | Tavon Austin |
| WR | Pharoh Cooper |
| LT | Greg Robinson |
| LG | Cody Wichmann |
| C | Tim Barnes |
| RG | Jamon Brown |
| RT | Rodger Saffold |
| TE | Lance Kendricks |
| QB | Case Keenum |
| RB | Todd Gurley |
| Position | Starter |
|---|---|
| DE | Williams Hayes |
| DT | Aaron Donald |
| DT | Michael Brockers |
| DE | Robert Quinn |
| OLB | Nicholas Grigsby |
| ILB | Alec Ogletree |
| OLB | Mark Barron |
| CB | Trumaine Johnson |
| SS | Maurice Alexander |
| FS | T.J. McDonald |
| CB | Lamarcus Joyner |
Questions to Answer
- Can Goff earn the starting job and jump-start the passing attack?
- Will any young weapons step up on offense?
- Can the secondary produce after losing Jenkins and McLeod in free agency?
- Is Fisher the man to lead the Rams forward?
Best-case Scenario
Goff sneaks the starting job just before the start of the regular season, producing a surprisingly solid rookie campaign. But the Rams' offense is powered by an MVP-type season from Gurley, while a dominant pass-rush makes up for a below average secondary. Fisher said recently on "Hard Knocks" he refuses to hover around .500 for the fifth consecutive season. Unfortunately for the Rams, that's their ceiling in 2016 due to their place in maybe the best division in football.
Worst-case Scenario
The Rams flip-flop between Keenum and Goff all season, eroding the rookie's confidence and the offense's chemistry as a whole. Gurley's sophomore season is a disappointment. With no passing attack, teams are able to focus on the second-year back, who is limited by nagging injuries. The defense shows flashes of being a solid unit, but is inconsistent, with the secondary among the NFL's worst. The Rams limp to a 4-12 record in their first season in Los Angeles, causing the franchise to part with Fisher.