After watching every play of all 5 games, there are a number of things that jump out. I’ll be writing a bit about each as well as some positives I see with the Rams so far this season. Here are the problems I see so far that I will be addressing:

The biggest issue I see contributing to the Rams losses this season is Discipline… it’s really simple, limit the penalties, turnovers and mental errors. The good news is improvement is evident as the season progresses and I’ll outline that at the end.

Week 1 – The Rams had penalties on each of their first 4 drives, including two 5 yard penalties on 1st and 10 from the Seahawks 9 yard line ending in a missed field goal. On the ensuing Seahawks drive the Rams were flagged for unnecessary roughness which helped Seattle score their first touchdown. Then Seattle sets up for a field goal with less than a minute in the half, the Rams block it… but have 12 men on the field negating the only Rams score of the game. Seattle takes the first down and converts it to a TD for a 14-0 halftime lead.

Week 2 – The Rams, up 7-6 in the 2nd quarter, recover a Redskin fumble at their 30 yard line with 1:12 left. On 2nd down the Rams get a screen pass to the 46 yard line called back for a hold ending the half a play later. At the start of the 4th quarter the Rams have the ball 3rd and 4 from the Redskin 9 yard line behind by 2 points. Avery makes the catch a yard short and is stripped trying to get the 1st down ending the drive.

Week 3 – The Rams first possession ends on a blocked kick, the second on a Bulger sack and fumble, the third on a Steven Jackson fumble.

Week 4 – The Rams are set to receive a punt with 5:30 to play in the 2nd quarter of a scoreless tie, Quincy Butler muffs the punt which is recovered in the end zone for the 49ers first score.

Week 5 – The Rams first possession ends with a sack of Kyle Boller and a fumble return for touchdown by Jared Allen. 1st and goal from the Viking 1 to start the 2nd quarter, Steven Jackson loses a fumble to end the drive. On 2nd and goal from the Viking 8 at the end of the half, Daniel Fells fumbles after a catch at the 3. To start the 4th quarter, Boller is intercepted in the end zone from the Viking 9.

Now I’m not saying the Rams should have won all of these games, far from it. I do believe the Rams beat the Redskins and Packers… possibly even the Seahawks. In any case all 5 games would have been closer and the Rams could easily be 2-3 at this point just by limiting the penalties and turnovers. The Rams are -7 (32nd) in takeaways and have committed 39 penalties (T-30th) for 325 yards (28th) in the league.

Now for the positives I’ve seen in the last few weeks. The attitude of the Rams players, but more importantly the coaching staff has been very encouraging. No matter what the situation the play calling and overall team attitude says “we are in this to succeed.” I believe that Coach Spagnuolo is instilling in the team a winning attitude starting with competing on every down, regardless of score, time or situation. There is no quit in this team and it shows. Even into the 4th quarter on Sunday, behind 38-3 the Rams were working to get the ball in the end zone. The Rams are not the most disciplined team in the NFL, but of the all the struggling teams this season in the NFL, the Rams have the positive attitude and winning mentality starting with the coach that tells me that there is definitely a light at the end of this tunnel.

Drafttek Rams Correspondent – Robert Occhipinti