A Look to the Future

2006-03-03T16:14:06+01:00

While many things about the Rams remain up in the air for next season such as which coach will be roaming the sidelines and what players will be lining up, at least those that do those things will know who they will be lining up against.

St. Louis’ schedule won’t be set until later this summer, but its opponents are known now. Coincidentally, many of those opponents are in the same situation as the Rams as far as the coaching staff.

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Denver: The Broncos will roll into 2006 coming off their best season since John Elway led them to a pair of Super Bowls. It’s not out of the question for Denver to be coming off another Super Bowl, as it is one of the favorites to reach the title game this year. Many fans in St. Louis remember the classic Monday night matchup between the Rams and Broncos in 2000.

Kansas City: The team that has met the Rams for the Governor’s Cup pretty much every year since their arrival in St. Louis will get another shot to take on their cross-state rivals in the regular season. The Chiefs have owned the Rams in recent regular season meeting and feature one of the league’s most exciting young players in running back Larry Johnson.

Detroit: The Lions will also feature a new coach and plenty of changes on their roster after another stormy season. Detroit has had the Rams number in the regular season of late also. The Rams did beat the Lions in the preseason this year. This game will also mark a homecoming for former Ram cornerback Dre Bly.

Chicago: The Bears have been to St. Louis plenty in the past few years, but not for a regular season game. This game will mark the regular season homecoming of former Rams defensive coordinator and Chicago coach Lovie Smith. Smith has led the Bears to quite a turnaround this year and has the Bears as one of the leading contenders for the Super Bowl from the NFC.

Washington: The Redskins defeated the Rams in early December this year and should once again be formidable next year. With running back Clinton Portis and receiver Santana Moss leading a balanced offense and a stout defense, the Rams should have some revenge on their mind.

Away

Green Bay: Like the Lions and Chiefs, Green Bay will have a new coach prowling the sidelines when it takes the field next year. The big question will be whether quarterback Brett Favre returns.

Minnesota: The Vikings fired coach Mike Tice after a tumultuous season, but did finish with a winning record and defeated the Rams in a game at the Metrodome this season, a game that eliminated the Rams from playoff contention. It will be interesting to say which players the Vikings line up considering the potential return of quarterback Daunte Culpepper.

Oakland: Yet another opponent that will have a new head coach in place when the season starts, the Raiders are looking to rebuild once again. The Black Hole is always a tough place to play, but Oakland has many problems of its own to solve in time for the season.

San Diego: The Rams were throttled in the preseason by the Chargers last year as superstar back LaDainian Tomlinson had one long run before calling it a day. San Diego is coming off a disappointing season in which it missed the playoffs and should be a top contender again next year.

Carolina: The Panthers pounded the Rams in 2004 when Chris Chandler threw six interceptions in a key December matchup. Carolina is still alive in the NFC playoffs, boasts one of the league’s best defenses and has an exciting receiver in Steve Smith. Plus, there are still some bitter feelings toward the Panthers for the 2003 NFC playoff loss.

Divisional Opponents

Arizona: The Rams and Cardinals split their two meetings for the second consecutive year in 2005 with the away team winning both games. It’s unknown whether Kurt Warner will be back to quarterback the Cardinals again in 2006, but if he is, that will once again be the story when the two teams meet.

San Francisco: The 49ers had another awful season in 2005, but they showed signs of improvement and swept the Rams in the regular season. Those two losses included a season opening loss in San Francisco that set a bad tone for the rest of the Rams’ season. The rivalry between the teams is still going strong and there’s no doubt that St. Louis would like to get some measure of revenge next year.

Seattle: The Seahawks finally got over the hump against the Rams this year, beating St. Louis twice. But the two always have good battles and this season was no different. Seattle has officially staked its claim to the NFC West and to get the crown back the Rams will have to go through the Seahawks.

Ram's Pace voted Pro Bowl Starter

2006-03-03T16:13:35+01:00

St. Louis Rams’ T Orlando Pace was voted as a starter in the 2006 Pro Bowl, to be played on February 12, 2006 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The NFL announced the Pro Bowl starters during halftime of the NFC Wild Card game.

Pace, selected to the Pro Bowl for the seventh consecutive season, will make his fifth start. Pace, who started in the 2000 and 2001 Pro Bowl games, will start for the third consecutive time. Pace did not play in the 2002 and 2003 Pro Bowl games.

Pace’s seven straight Pro Bowl berths are tied for fourth in Rams’ history, behind DT Merlin Olsen (14), G Tom Mack (11), and LB Les Richter (8), tying DE Jack Youngblood. Pace’s seven overall Pro Bowl selections are also tied for fourth in Rams’ history behind Olsen (14), Mack (9), and Richter (8), tying Youngblood and T Jackie Slater.

WR Torry Holt, making his fifth Pro Bowl appearance and third consecutive, will be a reserve. Holt’s five Pro Bowl invitations are more than any other receiver in Rams’ history.

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A Look to the Future

Ram's Pace voted Pro Bowl Starter