Offense:  Coach “Spags”  was fortunate enough to inherit a top ranked running back in Stephen Jackson.  Jackson, as many of you know, is a true stud at running back.  He recently became the only player in team history to rush for 1,000 yards in 5 consecutive seasons. He is banged up this week, and is backed up on the depth chart by the newly acquired  Cadillac Williams.  At Quarterback the Rams have Sam Bradford, the number one overall pick in the 2010 draft.  Bradford stepped right into the role of starting QB and impressed many in his first year in the NFL.  He is still a work in progress, but it is clear he has all the tools to be a very good if not great NFL QB.  The Offensive line is young on the outside.  They have a rookie Left Tackle in Rodger Saffold, and a second year right tackle in Jason Smith, Smith might be held out this week with an injury.  The interior of their line was all acquired through free agency and has an average of 7 years experience anchored by Right Guard Harvey Dahl.  Where the Rams fall short on offense is in their receiving corps.  What was once the strength of the Rams of the 1990′s has now fallen on hard times.  Danny Amendola is out with a dis-located elbow and that leaves Mike Sims-Walker and Greg Salas as the starters along with Tight End Billy Bajema. Sims-Walker was signed this year after some average years in Jacksonville.  He had one catch last week for 5 yards.  The offense is obviously based off the running game, but with Jackson listed as doubtful, it could be a long night for the Rams offense.

The Defense:  This obviously is “Spags”s specialty and is littered with familiar names, high draft picks, and former Giants.  Up front they have Chris Long, a first round draft pick, Fred Robbins, a former Giant, Justin Bannan, and James Hall each with 10 years NFL experience.  Behind them is a fabulous group of Linebackers that would make any New York fan jealous.  Second year linebacker out of Ohio State, James Laurinaitis is in the middle of two free agents Brady Poppinga formerly of Green Bay, and Ben Leber, formally of the Minnesota Vikings.  Once again however, the fall off to the secondary is noticeable.  With injuries to this unit they are left with a very young group at corner, and some castoffs at Safety.  Justin King and Bradley Fletcher are the young corners with a combined total of 5 years experience, and Craig Dahl and Quintin Mikell are the starting safeties backed up by former Giant James Butler.

The transformation of the St. Louis Rams is well underway and “Spags” is building a team and an organization at the same time.  He needed to change the culture in St. Louis and begin a new era.  He certainly seems like the right person for the job.  After finishing at 7-9 last year and having a chance to make the playoffs in the weak  NFC West Division,  The Rams will continue to build through free agency and the draft. They have a franchise Qb, and what seems like a good mix of veterans and young players.  With no one player having more than 10 years experience, they are set up for good things in the future.

Hope Perry Fewell proves himself as the mastermind defensive coordinator he hopes the owners and GMs with head coaching questions believe he is.

Back when Steve Spagnuolo was defensive coordinator of the Giants, the safety situation was less than ideal. In 2007 the starters were Gibril Wilson and James Butler. In 2008 Gibril Wilson left to sign a big contract with the Raiders and James Butler and Michael Johnson became the starters. An injury to James Butler left Craig Dahl and Michael Johnson as the starting safeties. Johnson was a second year player who was a seventh round draft pick, and Craig Dahl was a rookie undrafted free agent.

Since their time with the Giants several have failed to show they are worthy of a starting spot. Wilson was cut by the Raiders and signed by the Dolphins, who later cut him and he signed with the Bengals. Butler signed with the Rams, but has lost his starting spot and was rumored to be in line to be released. Michael Johnson played terribly for the Giants in 2009 alongside CC Brown and was released this past offseason. He signed with the Lions and isn’t expected to win a starting spot. Craig Dahl is the only one of those guys still starting as he followed Spags to St. Louis. My point is that these players have proven that they are below average NFL players; however, while they were with the Giants they were never exposed as a weak spot. If Spags could do it with arguably the worst starting safeties in the NFL, then Fewell should find a way to make it work with Corey Webster and Aaron Ross at corner.

Clearly the problem right now is not the lack of talent at starter, it is with the depth. For starters, as stated earlier, having Grant fill in during nickel situations will be helpful. Secondly, Prince Amukamara’s injury won’t keep him sidelined all season. Finally, there are still free agents available. Clearly no one special, but still players that could play as your third corner and sixth defensive back in dime packages. Those names include Kelvin Hayden, Randall Gay, Ellis Hobbs, Lito Sheppard, and Brian Williams. Honestly, I would consider signing two of them. (whenever the Giants have injury problems like this, it tends to keep happening to that position. Think wide receiver and offensive line last season, defensive line in 2006, and linebackers in 2005)

With these moves or without these moves, the job will ultimately be up to Fewell. If I’m Fewell I look at this as an opportunity to showcase my talent. Like Spags did when he was defensive coordintor, Fewell will have to devise plays that either mask coverage, or create pressure on the quarterback. Simply put, if you believe Perry Fewell is a great defensive coordinator there should be nothing to worry about. This is his job. It’s not like defensive coordinators should expect to receive a defense with no holes in it. The Giants still have playmakers all over the field.

To me the question is not: Do the Giants have enough talent to win? It’s: How good of a coordinator is Perry Fewell?

Jeremy Shockey didn’t practice Thursday because of an abdominal strain.

Michael Strahan (rest) returned to practice Thursday and will start.

For the second straight day both starting safeties, James Butler (hamstring) and Gibril Wilson (knee), sat out of practice. Backup Craig Dahl (ankle), who didn’t practice on Wednesday, worked with the starters today along with rookie Michael Johnson.

Aaron Ross (hamstring) returned to practice on a limited basis on Thursday.

James Butler (hamstring) is still out and on the sideline.

Gibril Wilson (knee) is going to try to practice.

Aaron Ross (hamstring) missed Wednesday’s practice.

Michael Strahan (team decision) missed Wednesday’s practice.

Plaxico Burress (ankle/knee) missed Wednesday’s practice.

R.W. McQuarters plans on taking reps at safety incase he is needed.

Antonio Pierce (ankle) has been removed from the injury report.

Brandon Jacobs (hamstring) has been removed from the injury report.

Steve Smith (hamstring) has been removed from the injury report.