In move sure to prove how much influence and sway I have over the organization, the Rams hired Nolan Cromwell to coach our Wide Receivers yesterday. Of course, I am glad we have Nolan back, and I wish him nothing but the very best of good luck in working with our razor thin talent at the position. Cromwell has always been an excellent man.
However, I am disapointed for Issac Bruce. I felt he was natural fit. We had marvelous results with Henry Ellard, and we never should have let him go. Issac would have walked in the footsteps of Henry for the second time. I felt Issac's second succession would lead to similar excellent results.
Perhaps we can suit Issac up for one season. God knows we can use him.
To make Nolan successful this time around, we are going to have to seriously upgrade our talent at the Wide Receiver position. Laurent Robinson was showing signs in his foreshortened tour of duty last season. We hope he can come back from injury. Donnie Avery took two steps back and perhaps two or three steps forward last season. We are uncertain of his progress. It was a very up and down affair in 2009 for Avery. I was upset by the drops and fumbles, but we need to remember he was our only weapon last season. He drew tough double coverage at all times because defenses needed to worry about no one else. I personally believe he is destined to be the #2 receiver behind a big-shot #1 receiver we do not yet have on the roster.
God knows I am praying for a collective bargaining agreement in the next 17 days so we can acquire Brandon Marshall from the Denver Broncos. I would chase him all day long in free agency with big money. Marshall is everything you want and more from a killer #1 receiver. He would take all the pressure in the world off of Donnie Avery and Laurent. They would be able to prosper in the shade of his tall shadow. Marshall and Avery would make a very nice thunder and lightning combo. They would pose some difficulties for defensive coordinators in 2010. DCs in 2009 had no difficulties to consider--save Steven Jackson--when playing the Rams.
Finally, acquiring Dexter McCluster in the 3rd around is an absolute must. I would use McCluster in precisely the same way Mad Mike Martz intends to use Devon Hester. I would line Dexter up in the Slot receiver position and try to construct a mis-match between him and a safety or outside linebacker. He'll shake either coverage easily.
To make either Michael Vick or Tim Tebow successful in both the near and the long terms, serious upgrades at the Wide Receiver position are in order.