Looking for improvement

Rams' offseason moves should translate into winning

Last season Trent Green's quarterback rating was 81.8. AP

The St. Louis Rams, who finished a disappointing fourth in the NFC West last season, opened their training camp July 22 at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. Here are a few questions from Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z, followed by CNNSI.com's perspective on some of the issues facing the Rams this season. SI's season preview will post August 24.

Dr. Z wants to know:

1) Are you as impressed as I am with the Rams' offseason moves? Not only the guys they acquired, but the ones they got rid of? Here are the basic ins-and-outs:

• QB -- Trent Green replaces Tony Banks.
• RB -- Marshall Faulk replaces a committee. (We're assuming the holdout will end, as almost all of them do.)
• OL-- Adam Timmerman and Andy McCollum replace Zach Wiegert and Wayne Gandy. This is a less-publicized but quite serious roster upgrade.
• WR -- Rookie Torry Holt replaces Eddie Kennison.
• OLB -- Todd Collins replaces Roman Phifer. This is the only one I don't like, but you can't win 'em all.

2) Given the improvement in personnel, are the Rams ready to take the next step upward and field a winner, which just about translates into a playoff spot? No. Too far to come. But they'll be better.

The Rams might make the playoffs: If coach Dick Vermeil gives new assistant coaches Mike Martz and Al Saunders free rein with the offense and wide receivers, and if former Pro Bowl receiver Isaac Bruce can regain form and remain injury free. And if a nice stable of running backs, bolstered by the addition of holdout Marshall Faulk, plays up to its potential. But Trent Green needs to step up at quarterback, and the defensive secondary must give up fewer big plays.

Pivotal games: Sept. 26 against Atlanta, Dec. 12 at New Orleans. The Rams play intra-division opponent Atlanta after a bye week. If they are going to be competitive, St. Louis needs to make a good showing against the Falcons. Their last NFC West game comes in early December against the Saints. To have a winning record, they'll probably need to beat New Orleans.

On the hot seat: Trent Green, Coach Vermeil, Isaac Bruce. Going into his third year, Vermeil will be fired unless the Rams show significant improvement. To do that, they need career years fromGreen and Bruce.

Up-and-comers: Receiver Tory Holt, the No. 6 pick in the draft, will make an immediate impact in the Rams' passing game if he can adjust to the pro game. Offensive tackle Orlando Pace should continue to improve.

Player Movement Unrestricted Free Agents Restricted Free Agents Players Lost Devin Bush, S, from Atl. Todd Collins, LB, from N.E. Trent Green, QB, from Wash. Andy McCollum, C, from N.O. Jeff Zgonina, DT, from Ind. Adam Timmerman, G, from G.B. Tony Banks, QB, re-signed (Traded to Bal.) Mike Gruttadauria, C, re-signed Derrick Harris, RB, re-signed Fred Miller, G, re-signed Jay Williams, DE, re-signed Gerald McBurrows, S, Atl. Mike Scurlock, S, Car. Roman Phifer, LB, NY Jets Wayne Gandy, T, Pitt. Mike Jones, DE, Tenn.

1999 Draft Picks Round Overall Pick Player Pos School 1 6 Torry Holt WR North Carolina St. 2 41 Dre Bly CB North Carolina 3 68 Rich Coady DB Texas A&M 4 101 Joe Germaine QB Ohio St. 5 145 Cameron Spikes OG Texas A&M 6 176 Lionel Barnes DE NE Louisiana 7 252 Rodney Williams P Georgia Tech