Steven Jackson is one of the best running backs in the entire NFL bar none when he’s healthy.  Steven Jackson has it all as he is a very powerful runner and he’s also one of the very best backs in the league at catching the football out of the backfield.  Jackson played in 12 games (all starts) for the Rams last season and he carried the ball 237 times for 1,002 yards (4.2 ypc) with 5 TD runs.  He also caught 38 passes for 271 yards (7.1 avg) with 1 TD grab for the Rams in 2007.  Look for Jackson to have much better numbers in 2008 for the Rams as long as both he and his offensive line can stay healthy.  Jackson has now played in 57 games (46 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 971 times for 4,249 yards (4.4 ypc) with 30 TD runs.  He has also caught 190 passes for 1,586 yards (8.3 avg) with 6 TD grabs in his NFL career.

The Rams swooped in and signed Antonio Pittman after he was cut loose by the Saints before even playing a game for them his rookie season.  Pittman isn’t the strongest of fastest back in the league but he’s simply just a good football player.  Pittman played in 11 games (0 starts) for the Rams last year and he carried the ball 38 times for 139 yards (3.7 ypc) without a TD run.  He also caught 3 passes for 15 yards (5.0 avg) without a TD.  Look for Pittman to score his first NFL TD this season as he will likely give Steven Jackson a breather once in a while on running downs.

Travis Minor is the classic third down back as he’s a small, fast guy who is a good receiver.  Minor played in 14 games (0 starts) for the Rams last season and he carried the ball 17 times for 68 yards (4.0 ypc) without a TD run.  He also caught 12 passes for 86 yards (7.2 avg) last year.  Don’t look for big numbers out of Minor this season but he will produce when he gets the chance.  Minor has now played in 105 games (4 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 294 times for 1,201 yards (4.1 ypc) with 8 TD runs.  He also has caught 62 passes for 439 yards (7.1 avg) with 1 TD grab.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  A-

Marc Bulger came into last season as one of the best QBs in the NFL but he was the victim of massive injuries along the offensive line that caused him to take an absolute beating in 2007.  The Rams hope that Bulger is not shell shocked after last season because he still has a good arm and he’s a smart guy.  Bulger played in 12 games (all starts) last season for the Rams and he completed 221 of 378 passes (58.5%) for 2,392 yards with 11 TD passes and 15 interceptions (70.3 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 9 times for 13 yards (1.4 ypc).  The Rams really hope that Bulger gets back to his career norms which are impressive.  Bulger has now played in 72 games (all starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 1,578 of 2,484 passes (63.5%) for 18,625 yards with 106 TD passes and 74 interceptions (88.1 QB Rating).  He also has carried the ball 96 times for 237 yards (2.5 ypc) with 8 TD runs.

The Rams have brought back veteran Trent Green to be the #2 QB this season.  The Rams hope that Green still has something left after suffering multiple severe concussions the last couple of seasons.  He seemed a little jittery in the pocket last season in Miami but he still has enough arm to make all of the throws needed to succeed in the NFL.  He should just throw the ball away if he gets to play this season instead of running the ball.  Green played in 5 games (all starts) last season for the Dolphins and he completed 85 of 141 passes (60.3%) for 987 yards with 5 TD passes and 7 interceptions (72.6 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 7 times for 32 yards (4.6 ypc).  The Rams hope that they don’t need Green so that he can stay injury free this season as many thought they shouldn’t have signed him due to his past injuries.  Green has now played in 117 games (112 starts) and he has completed 2,228 of 3,668 passes (60.7%) for 27,950 yards with 162 TD passes and 108 interceptions (86.0 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 240 times for 910 yards (3.8 ypc) with 6 TD runs. 

Bruce Gradkowski and Brock Berlin will battle for the #3 QB job in training camp and the pre season.  Gradkowski is the favorite despite not having a big arm.  He was recently released by the Bucs.  Gradkowski played in 4 games (0 starts) for the Bucs last season and he completed 13 of 24 passes (54.2%) for 130 yards with 0 TD passes and 1 interception (52.4 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 7 times for 20 yards (2.9 ypc).  Don’t look for Gradkowski to move up the depth chart unless Bulger or Green get injured as he doesn’t have a lot of upside.  Gradkowski has now played in 17 games (11 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 190 of 352 passes (54%) for 1,791 yards with 9 TD passes and 10 interceptions (65.0 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 48 times for 181 yards (3.8 ypc).

Brock Berlin was forced into duty last season when Marc Bulger and Gus Frerotte were both injured.  He proved that he’s probably not an NFL QB as he often throws the ball where he shouldn’t.  Berlin played in 1 game (0 starts) for the Rams and he completed 17 of 28 passes (60.7%) for 153 yards with 0 TD passes and 1 interception (60.6 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 3 times for -16 yards (-5.3 ypc).  Berlin will have to play his butt off in the pre season and training camp if he’s going to beat out Bruce Gradkowski for the #3 QB job on the Rams.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B

David Vobora is a high motor player but he has problems standing up to bigger players than he is.  Vobora is 6′1″, 236 pounds and he can run a 4.64 40.  He played in 45 games (33 starts) at Idaho and he finished with 341 tackles, had 3 sacks, 28 tackles for a loss, forced 6 fumbles and recovered 3 fumbles.  Look for Vobora to excel on special teams for the Rams this season and maybe a little more than that in the future.

Chris Chamberlain wasn’t expected to be drafted but he had a awesome pro day at Tulsa and it caught the Rams’ eye.  Chamberlain is a big guy at 6′2″, 226 pounds and he plays with a high motor.  He played in 50 games (40 starts) at Tulsa and he finished up with 352 tackles, had 12.5 sacks, 32.5 tackles for a loss, 6 interceptions, forced 6 fumbles and recovered 2 fumbles.  He will likely make his mark on special teams for the Rams this season.

Roy Schuening is a nasty player who packs a wallop in the running game.  He also is a good pass protector as he has a good first punch.  He has problems with quicker players but he handles the big guys.  Schuening is 6′3″, 308 pounds but he’s a tad slow running a 5.3 40.  But, when do guards have to run 40 yards?  Only in practice.  Schuening started all 50 games he played in at Oregon State.  This was a good depth pick for the Rams and he might surprise them with a little more than they expected.