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NFC West: St. Louis Rams preview

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Predicted order of finish in NFC West: Second

Coach: Mike Martz, fifth season (43-21).

2003: 12-4 (first in NFC West). Lost 29-23 (2 OT) to Carolina in NFC divisional playoffs.

Key additions: S Zack Bronson, QB Chris Chandler, RB Steven Jackson.

Key losses: LB Jamie Duncan, S Kim Herring, QB Kurt Warner, DE Grant Wistrom, DT Brian Young.

Pre-snap read: After a slump in 2002, the Rams' offense returned to its high-scoring ways last season with Marc Bulger at quarterback. Bulger replaced Warner in the first game and went on to a Pro Bowl season, completing 63.2 percent for 3,845 yards and 22 TDs. The three-year veteran was rewarded in the offseason with a multi-year contract, and he will have the usual targets in WRs Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, as well as Dane Looker, a former Washington Husky from Puyallup. The team bit the financial bullet and let Warner go, bringing in the 38-year-old Chandler as Bulger's backup. RB Marshall Faulk's health has been of greater concern in recent years, and the Rams drafted Jackson No. 1 because of it. Faulk, 31, has not played a full season since 1999 and missed five games last season because of knee and wrist injuries. Rumors had him ready to retire, but the former All-Pro will merely take a lessened workload. The Rams have even more questions on defense. They lost their top two linemen — Wistrom to the division rival Seahawks — and are not sure whether they will have DE Leonard Little for the full season (he faces a felony DUI charge). DTs Damione Lewis and Ryan Pickett are being counted on heavily, especially with Jimmy Kennedy out for most of the season.

What to expect: The Rams' problems on both lines will hurt them against good teams, and their inability to hold on to the ball and stop the run will prevent them from winning the division and will perhaps keep them out of the playoffs.

The line on the line: This has quickly gone from one of the better units in the league to a huge question mark. C Dave Wohlabaugh (hip) was cut, RT Kyle Turley (back) is out for the season and franchise LT Orlando Pace (contract) missed camp. Grade: C-

Offensive leaders
Pos.	Player	2003 statistics
QB	Marc Bulger	3,845 yds, 22 TD, 22 INT
RB	Marshall Faulk	818 yds, 3.9 avg, 10 TD
WR	Torry Holt	117 rec, 1,696 yds, 12 TD
WR	Isaac Bruce	69 rec, 981 yds, 5 TD
TE	Brandon Manumaleuna	29 rec, 238 yds, 2 TD

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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