OFFSEASON » NFC West free agency review

NFC West free agency review
Doug Farrar
Football Outsiders continues to review free agency so far and look forward to the NFL draft. Today, the NFC West
St. Louis Rams

The occasion of Marshall Faulk's retirement is a good time to look back at Rams offenses of the recent past and recognize that for all the talk through the Vermeil and Martz eras about the "Greatest Show on Turf" and an aerial attack that would match the greatest of all time, the versatility of their running back was the engine that made it all go. From 1999-2001, St. Louis' offense led the NFL in points, yards and offensive DVOA each season. Faulk gained over 2,000 total yards in each of those seasons, and he did so in 1998 as well in his last year with the Colts. In 1999, he did the Roger Craig thing and gained over 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving. The next season was his greatest, as he finished first in DPAR, DVOA, Success Rate, and total touchdowns, and he won the NFL Most Valuable Player Award. 2001 brought his third straight Offensive Player of the Year award and the Rams went to their second Super Bowl in three years.

In 2002, St. Louis finished 7-9, while Faulk missed two games and rushed for only 953 yards. His DPAR and DVOA ranks dropped to the low teens. While his team rebounded in 2003 to go 12-4, Faulk was done with great seasons. He was still productive, but he would no longer be the supernatural force he had been. The Rams responded by drafting Oregon State running back Steven Jackson in the first round. As Jackson's carries increased, Faulk became less of a presence. He bottomed out with 65 carries for 292 yards in 2005, though he still caught 44 passes. A knee injury stole his 2006 season, led to a gig with the NFL Network, and marked his eventual decision to hang 'em up.

Faulk will be remembered as the greatest rushing/receiving combination back in history. His 12,279 rushing yards and 100 rushing touchdowns would be Canton material alone, but when you add in the 767 receptions — the names directly beneath his on that list are James Lofton, Charlie Joiner and Michael Irvin — his greatness really comes into focus.

What's most intriguing about the current Rams, and Faulk's replacement, is that Jackson appears to be just as versatile and productive as his predecessor. In this third season, Jackson broke Faulk's record for receptions by a running back with 90, and he led the league in total yards from scrimmage. This in a different offense, with a different quarterback, and a different head coach. No matter who the Rams are or what they do, the purpose of their running back is clear — do it all, and do it as well as anyone.

Free agency recap: The Rams surprised many by signing former Dolphins tight end Randy McMichael, whom coach Scott Linehan knew from his one season as Miami's offensive coordinator. St. Louis drafted two tight ends last season, but while Joe Klopfenstein seems to be firmly entrenched, Dominique Byrd has been arrested twice in his young NFL career — first for assault and then a recent collar for driving under the influence. (No, he wasn't with Jerramy Stevens at the time.) After losing receivers Kevin Curtis and Shaun McDonald to the Eagles and Lions, the Rams signed former Titans wideout Drew Bennett. Bennett finished 56th in DPAR and DVOA with a sub-50 percent Catch Rate, but no Tennessee receiver had great efficiency numbers while Vince Young was finding his feet. Expect more from Bennett in 2007.

Former Seahawks DE Grant Wistrom, who started his career with the Rams and was cut in the off-season, has expressed interest in returning to his original team. He could be an asset at the right price. For comic value, the Rams also signed ex-49ers and Redskins cornerback Mike Rumph, which means that the NFL's worst cover corner will return to the NFC West after a year in the nation's capital.

Draft needs: In 2006, St. Louis finished 31st in defensive Adjusted Line Yards in the Mid/Guard area; only the regular season non-Bob Sanders version of the Indianapolis Colts were worse. The Rams have already shown a keen interest in Louisville DT Amobi Okoye, the 19-year-old Senior Bowl star. They could very well take him with the 13th overall pick, and he could solve a position the Rams have been trying to fix for years. Michigan's Alan Branch is a possibility as well. Once thought to be a sure top-10 pick, Branch has seen his stock drop after an unimpressive Combine. Later rounds should have the Rams looking at defensive ends, cornerbacks and perhaps a receiver.