By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

For anyone who has followed the Rams in the past few years, a few positions have blatantly stuck out as places of weakness or struggles.

Most would be quick to point out the problems at free safety or right tackle. But one position of perpetual pain for the Rams has been punter. It’s easier for a punter to go overlooked since he is only asked to do something about three or four times a game.

The Rams’ punting problem dates further than any of those other positions, though. They have gone through myriad punters including name guys such as Sean Landeta and a cast of unknowns including the likes of Kevin Stemke and Reggie Hodges.

Entering the offseason, new coach Scott Linehan vowed to address special teams, presumably with punter as one of the focal points. The team brought Carolina’s Jason Baker in for a visit and made an offer, but the offer wasn’t enough to land one of the league’s up and coming punters.

Instead, the Rams opted to sign long time veteran Matt Turk. While Turk has experience, he is a bit long in the tooth and his ability to produce remains to be seen. Considering the upward ability of Baker, the signing of Turk had to be considered a bit of a letdown for those hoping the problem would be corrected.

On Friday, Linehan and Co. decided to add some competition for Turk in the form of Andy Groom. While inexperienced, Groom possesses a strong leg and the added advantage of youth. Those two are expected to compete for the punting job in training camp, though it’s not out of the question for the Rams to add a punter late in the draft or in rookie free agency.

Of course, some might be leery of drafting another punter considering the failed Hodges experiment a year ago. Colorado’s John Torp is one of the draft’s top punters and has worked out for the Rams.

The kicker position is the complete opposite of punter. Where punter has been a point of instability, kicker has been a constant. Jeff Wilkins has been one of the league’s best kickers since his arrival in St. Louis.

Wilkins is getting older, but hasn’t lost much from his fastball after another excellent year. He signed a three-year contract extension during the 2005 season and is showing no signs of slowing. The team might add a camp leg, but barring injury that player won’t be any more than that.