By Nick Wagoner

Senior Writer

The Rams wrapped up the preseason Thursday night against Kansas City with a 21-17 loss in the annual Governor’s Cup game.

Of course, the Rams that played against the Chiefs won’t look anything like the ones that take to the field against Philadelphia in the season opener on Sept. 7.

Now that four exhibition games, training camp and 32 practices are complete, the Rams and coach Scott Linehan believe they are ready for the regular season grind.

“I think it’s never a finished product,” Linehan said. “I like the direction. I like the attitude of the team. I like the makeup of the team. With that all said, now we have to turn that into productive Sundays and wins. That’s how we are going to be judged ultimately anyway.”

With that in mind, here’s a look at what’s been accomplished and what remains to be done as the Rams head into next week’s preparation for that regular season kickoff.

What’s Been Done

1. A New Summer Home

Linehan entered the offseason looking to find a way to create a culture of change. At the top of the list was changing the team’s training camp surroundings.

After a lengthy search for a new summer home, Linehan and the Rams settled on Concordia University in Mequon , Wis. The team spent 20 days up north, focusing only on football.

They also worked in a trip to Nashville for about a week of work with the Tennessee Titans before the teams opened the preseason against one another on Aug. 9.

Linehan said there was plenty of value in the work done at the beginning of the summer.

“It was very significant work for our team,” Linehan said. “I think we have seen the dividends of progress. We wanted to develop that kind of team toughness. I’m very happy with where we are right now.”

2. Finding a Rhythm

The first two contests of the preseason weren’t unlike many of the practices that had taken place in Mequon at the beginning of camp. The offense seemed out of sorts and trailed the defense.

In fact, the first team offense extended an unpleasant streak of preseason contests without a touchdown to 10 games.

But just like in Mequon , eventually Al Saunders’ group found a rhythm and began to click against Baltimore on Aug. 23. In that game, the offensive line controlled the Ravens defense, opening holes in the running game and giving quarterback Marc Bulger time to throws strikes all over the field.

“Offensively, I thought the progress of our offensive line and our ability to control the line of scrimmage at times, I think that was the biggest question for our offense going into it,” Linehan said. “I think there’s still some things we have to answer this season but the progress we made up front will enable us to do the things we want to do on offense and get back to the expectation we had offensively. I was really happy with our ability to run the ball when we wanted to and the passing game came along with that. You can see the confidence of that group really emerge.”

3. Getting Defensive

While the top offensive unit got off to a slow start, the defense was having no such problems, especially in the red zone. Led by healthy and vigorous Leonard Little at defensive end, coordinator Jim Haslett’s group didn’t seem to mind what position the offense was putting it in.

In fact, the first team defense did not allow a touchdown until the last preseason possession it played together in the third quarter against Baltimore .

“Defensively, the thing I liked even though we fought some tough field position at times, I think we came away from preseason with our opponents had something like 12 percent touchdown scoring percentage when they got in the red zone,” Linehan said. “If we can have that type of success when we play in adverse situations and then play great when we do have good field position, I think we can develop a really good attitude defensively.”

4. Jack is Back

The absence of star running back Steven Jackson caused a certain amount of apprehension among Rams fans but while Jackson was gone for the first 27 days of the preseason, the Rams were busy working on their depth behind him.

Antonio Pittman showed flashes of brilliance, carrying 26 times for 129 yards (for an average of 5 yards per attempt) and a touchdown. Brian Leonard had some good moments before a shoulder injury put him on the sidelines and rookie Lance Ball finished with 137 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 4.4 yards.

“With Steven being out, you could look at it two ways, one being lamenting the fact you didn’t have arguably one of your best players in camp,” Linehan said. “The other way is that you really worked on your depth in your back field. I thought we came out with some really good depth in the backfield.”

And the best news of all? The Rams locked up perhaps their best player in Jackson with a lucrative six-year contract. Jackson returned on Aug. 21 and is expected to be ready and fresh for the season opener.  

5. An Injection of Youth

Saying goodbye to veteran and franchise icon Isaac Bruce left many questions about how the Rams’ usually steady receiver corps would fare in 2008. The team drafted receivers in the second and fourth round in the form of Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton.

Avery got off to a slow start because of a pelvic bone injury but Burton made an immediate impression. Upon his return, though, Avery flashed the 4.2-4.3 speed that made him the first receiver taken in this year’s draft.

Finally, on Aug. 23 against Baltimore , Avery and Burton played at the same time. That duo did not disappoint, giving fans a hopeful glimpse of the future by combining for eight catches, 128 yards and a touchdown.

“They are still a work in progress,” Linehan said. “We saw flashes of what we expect from them last week. I really like their approach. I think they are guys that are going to be mainstays for us and they have got the ability if they keep developing to eventually start in this league and for the Rams. Right now they give us great depth and young, fresh legs that can run fast. I am really happy with them. They bring a lot of positive energy to our team.”

What Remains

1. Center of Attention

The battle for the starting center job was expected to be heated for the second consecutive year, this time with Brett Romberg and Richie Incognito or Mark Setterstrom expected to be the combatants.

When Romberg broke his hand and the Rams went to work with the Titans, the battle was essentially over. It appeared that one man had solidified his spot. That man? Nick Leckey. Yeah, Nick Leckey.

Leckey was originally brought in because of the plethora of injuries to the offensive line in 2007. Upon arriving in Tennessee , Leckey dominated the likes of All Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and suddenly the light came on.

With Romberg out, Leckey took full advantage of his myriad opportunities.

“He was a guy that was here because we had injuries last year,” Linehan said. “And because of what happened with the injury to Brett’s hand and the injury to Mark…we basically kind of needed him to come through. The first day we practiced against Tennessee , he had a couple of great days. I thought he played very well from then on. I’m very proud of the way Nick has performed and competed. He has earned a right to be out there.”

As it stands, Leckey will likely get the start against Philadelphia as the Rams wait for Romberg’s broken hand to heal. When that happens, it remains to be seen whether the competition will resume or if Leckey will get the chance to nail down the job against the Eagles.  

“Right now, I really don’t know where Brett is going to be,” Linehan said. “Right now, I don’t know if I see that changing.”

2. Special Teams Answers

One area the Rams seemingly made strides in during the offseason was special teams. But that theory was proved wrong during a dismal preseason performance.

While the kicking game seemed OK, the coverage units struggled and punter Donnie Jones had two punts blocked.

Although many of the guys who will start and play special teams weren’t on the field for some of those gaffes, it’s still an area of concern for Linehan.

“I think that’s one area that I think we really need to take it up a notch going into the season,” Linehan said. “We will get everybody back into their spots on special teams and get ourselves focused. We just need to really have a good corps on special teams. I think we have to really get going there.”

3. Going Long

The Rams used the second pick in this year’s draft on defensive end Chris Long. And along with that selection came a heaping helping of expectations.

Long is already the starter at right defensive end though he’s going through the growing pains that many rookies in his position endure.

A slow start was followed by a break through and more peaks and valleys along the way. Long had no sacks in any of the preseason contests but was close on a few occasions against Baltimore and appears closer to being able to help out right away.

“His progress has been steady,” Linehan said. “He has been improving. He’s not unlike any rookie or high draft picks. You are going to have good days and you’re going to have not so good days because you really haven’t got it figured out yet. The great thing about Chris is that he is willing to work and do the extra things it takes to be great. He’s just got that kind of attitude and isn’t going to let himself fail.”

Still, expect to see Long in a rotation with an improved James Hall, especially at the beginning of the season.  

4. Secondary Comes First

The Rams made little to no tweaks to the defensive backfield in the offseason. It seemed that group wouldn’t be a major concern but injuries early and often in camp makes getting a read on the secondary a first priority.

Starters Fakhir Brown and Oshiomogho Atogwe missed most of camp with shoulder and hamstring injuries. Atogwe has returned and seems set to play against the Eagles but Brown’s status is less certain.

“Fakhir has not done anything since he injured his shoulder,” Linehan said. “We’re hoping he will be able to start getting some good work in this next week and until we start practice, we won’t know.”

The depth issues are alarming though Ron Bartell had a terrific preseason. If Brown can’t go, that makes everyone else’s job all the more important.

5. Keeping Pace

The offensive line had some pleasant surprises during the preseason but much of its success still hinges on the progress of Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Pace.

Pace was worked in slowly in the opening weeks of camp but his progress was accelerated when the team went to Tennessee . He played and played a lot against San Diego in the second preseason contest but he suffered a strained biceps while diving to make a tackle in that game.

That setback cost him another week of practice though Linehan says he’s ready to go he will need to practice this week to be ready to go against Philadelphia .

“We really have got to have a good week of practice,” Linehan said. “He missed about a week of contact and I really like the fact that we pushed him and worked him hard in the last preseason game he played in. I think he was ahead of schedule at that point. I will take that, the fact that he got quality reps in preseason and we have just got to have a great week with him.”

Pace is like an ace of a pitching staff. If he’s healthy and dominant he makes everyone better so having him at full speed would go a long way toward a dynamic offensive start.  

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