Fast-forward to the present day and it seems like it's been forever since the franchise was competitive. Yet at the same time, running back Todd Gurley and rookie quarterback Jared Goff provide a glimmer of hope for an optimistic future. That said, even a move from St. Louis to Los Angeles won't change the fact that the team is doomed for another subpar season. Let's explore the reasons why.
History Is Not On The Rams Side
The last six teams to relocate going back to the Baltimore Colts back in 1984 have failed to get through their first regular season in their new city with a winning record. In all, 16 franchises have relocated since the 1920s and only three of them have made the playoffs in their first season following a move. While the Rams franchise did once upon a time play in Los Angeles, nobody expects them to surprise the Seattle Seahawks or the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. Judging by the team's Week 1 28-0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Rams may even find themselves in the basement of the standings all year long.
Problems At Quarterback
In his fourth NFL season now, current Rams quarterback Case Keenum has never appeared in more than eight games in a regular season. He comes into this year as the team's starter mostly because 2016 first-round pick Jared Goff is still considered rather green and needs more time to learn the playbook. Although that does mean Keenum should get plenty of opportunities to establish himself in the first half of the season, don't be surprised if the Rams turned to their rookie once the team is well out of the playoff picture, which should happen pretty quickly. Everyone knows that the NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and the Rams haven't had a proven passer in more than a decade.
No True Number One Receiver
Over the last several years, Los Angeles' consequent struggles at the quarterback position have hindered the passing game. Once upon a time, current Green Bay Packers tight end Jared Cook was supposed to be the future. Wide receivers Brian Quick, Kenny Britt and the now-departed Brandon Gibson have also had their share of opportunities. Of those three, Britt has been the most productive. Unfortunately his highest receiving yard total for an entire season is just 748, which amounts to just 46.8 yards per game, a mark well off the pace of some of the league's top wideouts.
The one glimmer of hope in the Rams' receiving corps is Tavon Austin. He's got the speed and agility to make plays out of the backfield, can return kicks and turn a small gain into a big play. His unique level talent is one of the reasons he got a nice big contract extension from the team this past off-season. But again Austin is in tough in terms of ranking among the league's elite simply because the rest of the team is so inconsistent.
Things don't get any easier for the Rams as they head home to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to host the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. Although quarterback Russell Wilson is struggling with an ankle injury, the Seahawks will arrive in Los Angeles with a chip on their shoulder after losing their home opener to the Miami Dolphins this past Sunday. Even with home field advantage, the Rams will enter Sunday's game as the underdog, a theme that will have fans feeling like it's déjà vu all over again all year long.
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