Who's To Blame?

OK, I admit it.  I was wrong.  No, I was VERY wrong.  I championed the Rams here in this space last week.  I claimed that they were ready to eliminate their mistakes and turn the corner.  It’s clear that I greatly over-estimated the Rams progress.

“I don’t have an explanation, I wish I did.” - Steve Spagnuolo

I agree with this quote from Coach Steve Spagnuolo after the Rams loss on Sunday to the Baltimore Ravens.  I’m sure many fans also agree that it’s hard to find an explanation for the debacle that unfolded this past weekend at the Edwards Jones Dome.  I sat there on my couch near the end of the first half with the Ravens leading 27-0, and watched as CBS began running the charade of graphic-displays.  The first one explained how the Ravens set a franchise record with 21 points in the 1^st quarter.  Next, I was informed that the Ravens set another franchise record with their 406 total yards in the first half.  I, sitting at home, was apparently as clueless as the head coach was.  Searching for answers, I started to ask myself questions … “How does this happen?”  “Man, how stupid am I going to look to anyone who read the blog?”  “Is it me, or do even the Rams cheerleaders now seem lackluster in comparison to the rest of the league?”  Wait, who is this Torrey Smith guy again?”

Unfortunately, we’ve all seen this story before.  The Rams played games just like this throughout the 2007-09 seasons.  Most fans (myself included) just assumed that the franchise had moved past that previous era.  Upon further review, maybe they haven’t.  So, my question for today is this: Who’s to blame for the Rams not being able to turn the corner?  Is it Spagnuolo?  General Manager Billy Devaney?  Or, even brand new Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels?  Let’s examine further.

One of the first things Steve Spagnuolo did after being hired as the head coach of the Rams prior to the 2009 season was to hire Defensive Coordinator, Ken Flajole.  Job titles aside, let be serious … Steve Spagnuolo runs this defense.  His handprints are all over it, and he has persuaded the front office to pick-up many of his former players from his days as a position coach with the Philadelphia Eagles and as a Defensive Coordinator with the New York Giants.  The list of Spagnuolo’s former players brought to the Rams is long, from James Butler in 2009 to Fred Robbins in 2010 to Quintin Mikell this past off-season.  Spagnuolo was hired in large part, based on his history as the defensive guru who shut down the Tom Brady and the Patriots in the 2007 Super Bowl.  Spagnuolo has built this defense in his vision over the past 3 years, and his unit is clearly regressing.  Through the first three games the Rams are allowing a league high 174 rushing yards per game.  They are also allowing 5.4 yards per carry and have allowed 96 total points, which are both good for second worst in the league.  The Rams had a surprisingly good defense a year ago, but I think we can partially add that up to the Rams facing an awful schedule that featured some of the league’s most atrocious offenses.  In a clear test against the league’s elite, the Rams defense has failed, and failed miserably.  Also, it struck me how confused the Rams looked early in the game against Baltimore.  Yes, I was also surprised to see the lack of Ray Rice and the running game early.  But, once it was clear that the secondary (and Justin King, in particular) were going to be attacked, it was on the head coach to make some defensive adjustments.  The Rams lost by 30 points to the Ravens on Sunday.  Looking across the rest of the league, the next largest margin of victory this week was the Giants beating the Eagles by 13 points.  13 points … the Rams lost by 30!  You always hear analysts and people from inside the game talk about how close the talent gap is in the NFL.  You could see that this Sunday.  Most NFL games are decided late in the contest by a single field goal or touchdown margin.  Not the Rams.  They lose by 30 points.  At home.  I just can’t believe that the talent gap for the Rams is that large, when it clearly isn’t for the rest of the league.  Also, the turnovers and penalties (the Rams are averaging 8 penalties per contest) have continued to be a major issue.  That has to reflect negatively on the coach’s ability to prepare his team.

When examining the Rams roster, one thing is clear.  There is no longer a grace period of rebuilding for Billy Devaney & Co.  Devaney joined the Rams in 2007 as a consultant and took over General Manager duties around a year later.  There are currently only five Rams on the active roster that preceded Devaney taking over the G.M. role.  Those five are Steven Jackson, James Hall, Adam Goldberg, Donnie Jones (a punter) and Ron Bartell (on injured reserve.)  Otherwise, this is Devaney’s team.  He’s built it through the draft and through 12 free agent signings this offseason.  Devaney can no longer explain that he’s rebuilding or reshaping the roster, especially when you look at the nearly completed turnarounds by Detroit & Tampa Bay that started around the same time.  Devaney has to be held responsible.  One particular area highlights Devaney’s struggles.  He has either drafted or paid big free agent money to all five starting offensive lineman.  Devaney drafted both tackles high in the draft (including Jason Smith #2 overall, who was benched this week) and identified Jacob Bell, Jason Smith and Harvey Dahl for massive contracts.  As I watch Sam Bradford get pounded week after week, I shake my head at the millions of dollars Devaney has invested in this offensive line.  Also, where are all the Undrafted Free Agents (UDFA’s) making a difference?  Billy Devaney’s best find as an UDFA was Danario Alexander.  Other than the former Mizzou standout, the only UDFA’s on the roster signed by Devaney are long-snapper Jake McQuaide and Darian Stewart.  I know it may seem like a small thing, but look at the list of UDFA’s throughout the league: Arian Foster, LeGarrette Blount, Miles Austin, Tony Romo and Wes Welker.  I imagine a few of them could help.  Devaney’s running out of excuses, and he’s running out quickly.

It’s hard to put much blame on Josh McDaniels at this point.  Remember, the Rams were adversely affected by the NFL lockout.  Therefore, McDaniels only had five weeks to whip this offense into shape.  Other than calling the occasional screen play to slow down the pass rush, it's hard to critique the Offensive Coordinator until we're later into the season.

In my estimation, Spagnuolo and Devaney are a packaged deal.  Devaney was the man who brought Spagnuolo to town, and I think they have to ride together on this one.  Unless something turns around quickly for this franchise, I think new Rams owner Stan Kroenke needs to find new on, and off the field leadership after this season.  Believe me, I want this group to succeed.  I would love nothing more than this Rams team getting off the mat and starting a winning streak against the Redskins this week.  But, this is a results-oriented business and the results are this: Steve Spagnuolo is 8-27 as the Rams head coach.  Scott Linehan was 11-25.  Sorry guys, the time for free passes is over.

Written by: Michael Handshear