Jeff Fisher

St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke refused to commit or show his hand whatsoever when asked directly about the franchise's future in St. Louis during the Jeff Fisher press conference. 

All of Kroenke's remarks regarding the organization's future (as well as the entire press conference introducing Fisher as head coach) can be read here.  

Kroenke, who was the lead investor for a group working towards landing an expansion team in 1993 that ultimately went to Jacksonville, purchased 30 percent of the Rams in 1995 (before eventually owning 40 percent of the franchise) only on the predetermined condition that the Rams relocate to his home state of Missouri in St. Louis.  

While in the process of becoming majority owner early in 2010, Kroenke told Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that: 

There's a track record... I've always stepped up for pro football in St. Louis. And I'm stepping up one more time.  I'm born and raised in Missouri. I've been a Missourian for 60 years. People in our state know me. People know I can be trusted. People know I am an honorable guy.

I'm going to attempt to do everything that I can to keep the Rams in St. Louis, just as I did everything that I could to bring the team to St. Louis in 1995. I believe my actions speak for themselves.

Since attaining 95 percent of franchise ownership, however, he has remained mum on the subject until pressed during the Jeff Fisher press conference. 

When asked yesterday about the organization's long-term future in St. Louis, Kroenke answered saying:

I think this is all out there. The chronology of what occurs with the lease is public knowledge. I don’t think that for me to comment on that process is particularly timely. The city or the authority has within their power, they’re dealing with their side of it and they present a proposal to us by February 1. There’s a team in place that deals with all that, so we’ll see how that process sorts itself out. It’s a thing that takes place over time. As I said earlier, I started in St. Louis, in one year from now, that will be 20 years, so I’ve been around here a long time. Contrary to a lot of reports, I haven’t taken a lot of ‘jack’ out of the market. I think that’s what’s reported. I have put a lot of ‘jack’ into the market.

Immediately following that answer, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch asked if the Rams would be in St. Louis another 20 years.  To that, Stan simply said:

We’ll see how that process works out.

For St. Louis fans wanting any reassurances of the franchise's future in the Gateway City, they were certainly left disappointed. 

One should remember, though, that the Rams and the St. Louis Commission and Visitors Commission (better known as the CVC) are set to begin lease negotiations in earnest on February 1.

At that time, the CVC will present a plan to upgrade the dome and/or items related to the dome that will likely include ideas that would help increase revenue for the Rams and an enhanced game day experience for the fans, among other things, in an effort to secure an extended stay of the organization.  

The Rams will have until March 1 to accept or reject the initial proposal from the CVC.  It would be very surprising if the Rams agree to the first offer, regardless of how solid the proposal may be.  As is the case with these types of negotiations, initial proposals are almost always the starting point for discussions, rather than the end game. 

If the Rams do indeed reject the initial proposal by March 1, the franchise will have until May 1 to present a counteroffer to the CVC.  At that time, the CVC would have until June 1 to show how they would implement the requests (or demands) from the Rams front office. 

If an agreement was not reached by June 1, the Rams and CVC would begin meeting in arbitration on June 15.  The results of arbitration would then be expected by the end of 2012.  

If the arbitration hearings were to ultimately fail, the Rams would be in position to end their lease following the 2014 season (if desired) and theoretically leave for another city.  Another option would be to remain in St. Louis on a year to year basis, a la the San Diego Chargers.

Options being discussed by the CVC have included the purchase of parking garages around the CVC, (with money earned there from home games going to the Rams), larger dome concourses, humongous new flat screens, new digital technology to enhance the fan stadium and, potentially, the utilization of the NFL fund that offers low interest loans up to $200 million for teams seeking to upgrade their home stadium situations, among other possibilities.

Fisher, the Rams new head coach, was reportedly concerned about the Rams future in St. Louis after dealing with a franchise moving from Houston, Texas to Memphis temporarily before ultimately landing permanently in Nashville.

Fisher knows the difficulties and complications that come with a franchise move and, as would be expected, wants no part of a second organizational relocation.  

When asked about the future of the Rams in St. Louis, Fisher himself was also vague:

We talked about a lot of different things beginning with our visit up and until just recently so I have a great understanding of the future and the future of this franchise right now at this moment is here in St. Louis.

It is not surprising that Fisher would be non-committal.  He is only the coach.  

Fans, however, wanted to hear more from owner Kroenke.  However, shouldn't fans want to hear from the CVC just as badly?  This is a two-way negotiation, after all, so there comments should be in just as much demand as Kroenke's.  

Not surprisingly, though, and perhaps wisely, the CVC and "silent" Stan are keeping discussions under wraps, at least for now. 

It is also not surprising that Kroenke is not going to make a promise guaranteeing that the Rams will permanently stay in St. Louis.  With the lease negotiations set to commence that would be suicidal, from a business and leverage perspective.  

So, St. Louis fans have no other choice but to sweat it out for now.  It will be immensely interesting to see what is presented by the CVC on February 1 and the corresponding response from the Rams.  

It will likely be at least mid May before the situation is finally resolved.  Although I could be wrong, I believe the Rams and the CVC will strike a deal by the June 1 deadline, the date that, ironically, season ticket renewals are due. 

Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch believes that the Rams and city will agree to certain improvements to the dome in the interim while Kroenke researches options for a new stadium in the city or region.  

Some speculate that part of a Rams/CVC agreement could include Kroenke settling for the aforementioned dome enhancements in exchange for prime chunks of real estate where he could later construct Wal Mart Field or Sam's Club Stadium while simultaneously developing the land around the stadium commercially.  

For the record, Rams Chief Executive Officer Kevin Demoff has spoken at great lengths regarding the organization's commitment to this market and has explained that the Rams are not concerned about the vaunted top 25 percent lease clause, per se.  

In contrast, he explained that the Rams desire a global solution that will aid the city, the citizens of the region and the Rams going forward.

Demoff expressed a desire for the Edward Jones Dome be enhanced to a degree that it would help St. Louis become a greater international and global destination while enticing Final Fours, Frozen Fours, exhibition soccer, major political conventions, bowl games and more.  

In this way, the dome could act as a stimulant to tourism, downtown revitalization and overall city and regional growth. 

The upcoming process will be nerve-wracking for many.  The loyal fans of St. Louis deserve to not only keep the team here but to also witness a relatively quick lease resolution, at least by the June 1 deadline.

If a deal were not reached by June 1, the lease goes to arbitration and it will almost certainly be tougher to sell tickets for the upcoming season.

I for one do not believe that Missourian Stan Kroenke will sell-out his home state for a few potential pieces of silver if a reasonable deal presents itself.

If the CVC has to think outside of the box to get it done by working creatively or uniquely, the commissioner's should do just that in an effort to find a legitimate solution.

Keep in mind, the CVC agreed to to this lease by signing on the dotted line in 1995.  It is their duty to work towards fulfilling the commitments that they made. 

Kroenke has stated unequivocally that he can be trusted and is said to have the support of powerful political and business allies in the state, including governor Jay Nixon and Senator Claire McCaskill, among others.

Kroenke has a sweetheart lease in St. Louis that sees the Rams chip in just $250,000 per year.  The Russell Training Center has an even more team-friendly setup.  

Kroenke and the CVC will ultimately end up as historic heroes or fantastic failures in St. Louis depending upon what transpires over the next several months.

I do not believe for a second that Kroenke plans to sell out and abandon his home state of sixty years for a Los Angeles market that previously lost two teams (for a myriad of reasons).

By being "silent" regarding the Rams future in the Show-Me State, Kroenke has helped put the Rams in position to attain the best deal possible in St. Louis for the long-term viability of the franchise.

Will Kroenke show us, once again, that he is committed to St. Louis, as he, more than anyone in the history of pro football here, has done for nearly 20 years?

He says people in Missouri know him.  He says he can be trusted.  He said he has always stepped up for NFL football in St. Louis (and he has) and will do it again.

Here in the show-me state, the moment of truth is just over the horizon, and Kroenke will have the chance to prove his own words when he stated he was "stepping up one more time".

But what is over the horizon?  

The building of "a winning tradition in and for St. Louis." as Demoff stated, or a move to another city far, far way?

I strongly believe that, in the end, Enos Stanley Kroenke will "step up" for St. Louis and do the right thing by keeping the Rams in Missouri for the long haul.

For Stan to do so, the CVC must (and rightfully should) do its' very best to honor the lease commitments it chose to agree to in 1995.

I do not believe for a second that a businessman as shrewd and thoughtful as Kroenke has not had a big picture plan in place for some time regarding a long-term future in St. Louis.  

Kroenke surprised many with his last minute move to become the lead investor for the St. Louis Stallions.

He then swooped in and bought 30 percent of the Rams and was vital in bringing them to Missouri.

Over a decade later after the passing of majority owner Georgia Frontiere, Kroenke played his cards close to his vest throughout the entire process before jumping in at the last second to acquire majority ownership of the St. Louis Rams.

Kroenke remained quiet all year as fans showed doubts that he would make a move to end the Steve Spagnuolo era.  In the end, he took action and got it done.

During the Jeff Fisher negotiations, fans were again speculating and several began to wonder if Kroenke would land the highly coveted veteran coach.  However, as we know, he came through then, too. 

I believe this pattern will ultimately continue and, in typical Kroenke fashion, however, there will likely be a surprise or two along the way.  

In the end, I believe we will see another positive outcome and the Rams will cement their future in the Gateway City.

The upcoming process will be fascinating, and I believe, will lead to a very satisfying conclusion for both the Rams and the region.  

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year round. To check out the rest of his work, go here.  You are also encouraged to follow him on Twitter.  

Now that Jeff Fisher has formally taken over as the Rams' new head coach, what are we to expect? We know one thing: the Rams stink.

OK, they're bad, and they probably had no business being one win away from winning the division in 2010. But this team has one immense positive. Sam Bradford. I know Fisher had Steve McNair for most of his tenure in Houston/Tennessee, but let's face it, McNair was Donovan McNabb Light.  Then Fisher had Vince Young, and we won't even get into that.

A healthy and confident Bradford, with the right offensive coordinator and quarterback coach are probably good for five or six wins alone. Add an explosive playmaker at receiver and you probably get another one or two wins. Combine that with Fisher and Gregg Williams assembling and creating a defense and you're looking at a team that can challenge for the division. The part with Bradford and the offense can be done this offseason. The defense will most likely take some time.

Honestly, the offense isn't terrible. The offensive line needs some work and Bradford needs game-breaker to throw to. That part of the equation isn't very difficult. Roger Saffold has proven to be a solid tackle. He can either return to left tackle or move to the right side in the event that Jason Smith can overcome his concussion issues or they draft someone the likes of Matt Kahlil with the second overall pick.

If they really mean business, Fisher will use his best efforts to trade the second overall pick. Yes, I said Fisher. As you can clearly see, there has not been a general manager hired, and Fisher will most likely have the most power in personnel decisions.

This team isn't one or two players away. I would liken this to the situation Jimmy Johnson had with Herschel Walker, or the way Belichick currently stockpiles picks or the way Parcells used to. This is a very deep draft and free agency will help. Yes, players like Justin Blackmon and Matt Kalil are blue-chip talents, but neither will put this team over the top alone. I know it's Jeff Fisher, but if we've learned anything, even a coach of his stature has a three-year window.

Clearly stated, the offense isn't that far off with the right moves. That alone will keep this team in games, especially because they have a guy like Steven Jackson. Yes, this team has Bradford in a quarterback-driven league, but a running game spearheaded by a player like Jackson will keep teams honest. Danny Amendola and Mark Clayton will also be back. The real issues reside on the defensive side of the ball.

There are currently four players on the defense—Chris Long, Robert Quinn, James Laurinitis and Quinton Mikell—who could make starting rosters on most NFL teams. That leaves seven positions that need to be upgraded. Even if they add draft Morris Claiborne or Quinton Coples, that still leaves way too many holes. Get more pieces. Even if the pieces are above average, most of the current defense is second or third teamers at best.

I don't think this team will be a playoff contender next year. The 49ers have arrived, and with Alex Smith showing more every week, they're probably here to stay for at least a few years. The Cardinals showed signs in the second half and even the Seahawks had moments. The Rams are still a last-place team with moderate improvements, but six wins and a much improved offense would be a huge step for Fisher, Williams and whoever leads the offense.

Let the coaching carousel begin. 

While multiple NFL teams are currently in the market for a new head coach, the St. Louis Rams have hired former Tennessee Titans head man, Jeff Fisher.

According to the Sun Sentinel, Fisher will sign a five-year contract worth $35 million. He will be formally introduced as head coach today at 1 p.m. ET.

After Steve Spagnuolo put together an atrocious 10-38 record during his three-year tenure as a follow-up act to Jim Haslett's 2-10 season, Ram fans are ready for a change.

No—desperate for a change.

The Rams haven't had a coach put together a winning record since Mike Martz, so it's understandable the team gave Fisher this monster contract.

$35 million makes him easily the highest-paid coach in franchise history. 

But he is worth it. 

Fisher, who won't be given title of "vice president" comes in as the perfect "about-time" signing for St. Louis.

The Rams have loads of young talent on both offense and defense, but just haven't been able to put it together. Signs were encouraging for this year after a 7-9 2010, but they took a huge step back.

They haven't had a coach that could get the most out of his players.

Yet, in the years after Mike Martz, the Rams always tried to make the quick, cheap fix at head coach.

Joe Vitt, Scott Linehan and Steve Spagnuolo all had zero head-coaching experience before they came on at St. Louis. Jim Haslett was also in there for a while, but even he only had a career 45-51 record with the Saints. 

Fisher, however, comes in with a 142-120 career record with the Titans. He led them to six playoff appearances, including the Super Bowl in 1999 (when they lost to these Rams. Well, not these Rams, but you get the idea). 

The contract is hefty, sure, but at this point the Rams just had to bite the bullet to find a guy that could turn this team into a winning one.

They found that guy in Jeff Fisher. 

The St. Louis Rams will introduce Jeff Fisher as the organization's next head coach today at Rams Park in Earth City, Missouri at 1PM central time.  

Since the franchise's 1995 beginnings under the Gateway Arch, the Rams have had seven head coaches thus far (with two of those being interim head coaches).  

The firing of Steve Spagnuolo, who went 10-38 in three seasons, closed the book on the organization's seventh head coach in St. Louis.  Interestingly and appropriately, seven represents completion, and Rams fans everywhere are eager to put at least the last seven seasons behind them, after going 29-83 during that time.

Furthermore, it is timely that Fisher will be the eighth head coach here after the aforementioned 29-83 stretch, as eight represents new beginnings. 

New beginnings were exactly what was needed here following that seven season slump, the last five being particularly abysmal, as the Rams went 15-65, the worst five year winning percentage in NFL history. 

A new beginning generally brings hope.  Hope for a brighter day.  In St. Louis, hope for change (pardon the overused expression) that we can believe in.

Hope for consistent competitiveness, hope for winning seasons (after not having one since 2003), hope for playoff appearances and hope for another Lombardi Trophy, after winning the Super Bowl following the 13-3 1999 campaign.

At this point, the promise of even having hope for legitimate hope itself, if that makes sense, is a great start for a fan base that is starving for it.  Rams fans need something to believe in.  

Hope has been a preciously scarce commodity in St. Louis in relation to the Rams for far too long, but, thankfully, that is a thing of the past now.

With real hope reaffirmed with the Fisher hire, this franchise begins the process of becoming relevant and legitimate again.

It needed to press forward beyond the ruins of the past seven seasons with a clear vision in mind.

The veteran Fisher will be able to provide that vision as he has the winning experience and pedigree to lead the team on the field while communicating a clear vision to the football operations department off of it.  His insight, knowledge and leadership are paramount as the franchise forges ahead.  

He is not expected to be given any title beyond that of head coach, however, but could still have final say on personnel decisions, according to an article by Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and is expected to be given the ability to put his own strong stamp on the organization.

Fisher has already landed his defensive coordinator of choice, Gregg Williams, according to this report from Jason La Canfora.

Williams, who was credited with turning around the New Orleans Saints' defense in their Super Bowl winning season, is a Missouri native and a close friend of Fisher.  

Williams was Fisher's defensive coordinator in 2000 when the Tennessee Titans led the NFL in defense.  Williams served in that capacity under Fisher for the Titans from 1997 through 2000.  

He brings an aggressive scheme that liberally employs a heavy use of blitz packages. 

On the other side of the ball, contrary to some reports, St. Louis has yet to hire an offensive coordinator.

Candidates include former New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer (who has already interviewed with Fisher), former Oakland Raiders head coach and Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Hue Jackson and, a third consideration, Tom Clements, the quarterback coach of the Green Bay Packers.

Jackson will reportedly interview with the Rams on Wednesday and the interview process could continue further, depending on the results of that meeting.

Whomever Fisher ultimately selects as offensive coordinator, a major point of emphasis will be the grooming of Sam Bradford.

In 2010, Bradford played well enough to earn the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award under then offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur (who left to become head coach of the Cleveland Browns).

In 2011, Bradford struggled mightily with his play and with injury issues after an abbreviated offseason while working within the new system of then offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels (who has since returned to the New England Patriots).  

Finally, Fisher wants to eventually hire a quarterback coach to further assist Bradford's development.

Bradford seemed to lean on Dick Curl, who worked as the Rams quarterback coach in 2010 before retiring.  He was reportedly a steadying and reinforcing force for the rookie quarterback.

For some reason, the Rams chose not to replace Curl and, coincidentally or not, Bradford struggled in 2011. 

According to the same report suggesting Fisher will look to attain a quarterback coach, he will also likely add an assistant head coach in Dave McGinnis, who coached with Fisher in Tennessee for seven seasons.

It will be intensely interesting to watch Fisher share his thoughts today regarding this new beginning in St. Louis as we gleam nuggets of what his vision for the Rams is going forward. 

Hope, hope we can believe in, is back in a big way for the St. Louis Rams and Rams fans everywhere.  I had begun to forget what that feeling, as related to the Rams, felt like.  

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year round. To check out the rest of his work, go here.  You are also encouraged to follow him on Twitter.  

It didn't take long for Gregg Williams to ditch the New Orleans Saints' shambolic defense for a new pet project.

According to the NFL Network, Williams has signed on to serve as the defensive coordinator on Jeff Fisher's staff with the St. Louis Rams. Williams coached under Fisher with the Tennessee Titans from 1997 until 2000, before taking over as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills in 2001.

Williams spent three seasons in New Orleans, stewarding the famed "Who Dat?" defense that helped carry Sean Payton's Saints to their first Super Bowl title in franchise history two years ago. Williams' contract expired at the end of the season and he was unlikely to return to the Big Easy after overseeing a unit that plummeted from fourth in the NFL in total defense in 2010 to 24th in that category this past season.

The 53-year-old defensive guru will have yet another reclamation project on his hands in the Gateway City with the league's 22nd-ranked defense, 31st against the run.

Known around football for his creative and relentless blitz packages, Williams figures to go after opposing quarterbacks as hard as ever, with Chris Long, James Hall and rookie Robert Quinn comprising the Rams' rising pass rush.

Williams will be joined on the sidelines in St. Louis by former New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who will fulfill the same duties under Fisher.

As for finding Williams' replacement in New Orleans, the Saints are said to be after former Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo and Miami Dolphins assistant Mike Nolan to fill their vacancy at defensive coordinator, per ESPN. 

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Dome teams like the St. Louis Rams, more than their outdoor brethren, need to load up their offenses with a bigger emphasis on speed, quickness, highly skilled play-makers and overall athleticism to optimize the use of their home venues. Indoor based teams always play at least half of their games on the fast track, of course, in a controlled, consistent atmosphere.  

Outdoor teams, especially those playing on grass, may at any time be forced to deal with a myriad of elements including mud, snow, ice, fog, rain and cold.  Those teams are, and rightfully so, often geared around a power running game.  

Of the four remaining playoff teams, two of them (San Francisco and Baltimore) represent and implement traditional examples of this philosophy.  

However, that isn't always the case, as Green Bay and New England, for example, have excelled in outdoor home stadiums with high-powered passing attacks, led by Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.

Just as there are exceptions to the smash-mouth attacks that the majority of successful outdoor teams utilize, there are occasional exceptions to the pass-focused offenses that most successful dome teams incorporate.

There is no rule of law or commanded prerequisite that indoor teams must incorporate a so-call finesse orientated attack or a pass heavy offensive philosophy.  There have been exceptions, such as the Atlanta Falcons of 1998, who leaned heavily on the power running of Jamaal Anderson.

Disproportionately, dome teams have flourished with athletic, multidimensional halfbacks, at least one deep threat among the wide receiver corps, and a prolific passing attack led by good quarterback play and several capable receivers.  

With each example below, that has been the formula that has bred success and has proven to work exceptionally well.  

Looking at the time frame since the Rams moved into the Edward Jones Dome in 1995, we have seen some prolific offenses birthed from dome-based teams. 

In 1998, the Minnesota Vikings torched the NFL while being led by the athletic Randall Cunningham, fleet-footed run/pass halfback Robert Smith, the deftly skilled Chris Carter, and perhaps the best deep threat of all time, Randy Moss, whose job was to "go deep and take the top off the defense".  

That Vikings team led the NFL with 556 points, yards per play, passing yards, and touchdowns while going 15-1 on the season and an NFC Championship game appearance. Even with all the success through the air, Minnesota ranked eleventh in rushing yards and finished fifth in rushing touchdowns

From 1999 through roughly 2004, St. Louis thrived due largely to their historically potent "greatest show on turf" attack going to two Super Bowls while making the playoffs in five of six seasons.

The Rams were led by the play of quarterback Kurt Warner while using Marshall Faulk as a runner/receiver out of the backfield, and the use of some deep receiving corps that plugged in players like Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, the shifty Az-Zahir Hakim, third down phenom Ricky Proehl, and the blazing Kevin Curtis.

The Rams of the "greatest show" era scored over 500 points in three consecutive seasons (1999-2001), the first time that was ever done in the NFL, while leading the league in total offense and passing yards in each of those three years.  

Like the 1998 Vikings, however, they had some balance and a good running game.  During that three-year stretch, they led the NFL in rushing touchdowns twice and yards per rushing attempt in 2001.  

In Indianapolis, similar results ensued while exerting a similar offensive approach for several highly successful seasons under Peyton Manning, with the aid of highly skilled, athletic wideouts like Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne with versatile run/pass halfbacks like Edgerrin James and Joseph Addai. The Colts went to the playoffs nine consecutive times behind a potent offensive attack.

In 2006, for example, the 12-4 Super Bowl winning Colts finished second in the NFL in points while leading the league in yards per play, second in passing yards and first in touchdowns while averaging a respectable 4.0 yards per rush on 439 attempts.

Finally, the current New Orleans Saints have had a similar makeup: a pro bowl caliber quarterback in the effervescent Drew Brees, a multifaceted running/passing attack that has used multidimensional running backs like Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles, and numerous dynamic, speedy and/or talented receivers like Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Jimmy Graham and Melvin Cheatum.  

They have gone to the playoffs four of the last six seasons with Brees at quarterback, winning the Super Bowl in 2010, defeating the Indianapolis Colts.  That Super Bowl winning team led the NFL in points and yards per play while averaging 4.5 yards per rush on 468 attempts with 21 of those going for touchdowns.  

With Fisher, the Rams have a chance to be a rare dome team by instituting many of the same elements utilized by other successful dome teams like those mentioned above while mixing in Fisher's tough, physical style of play and mentality that his offenses in Tennessee came to be known for.

The vast majority of successful dome teams, like those previously highlighted, have possessed players with above average speed, quickness and playmaking ability.  Each have had at least one legitimate deep threat.  

If St. Louis can upgrade at wide receiver by adding more talent and a big jolt of speed while simultaneously displaying the toughness that was always evident in Jeff Fisher coached teams, the Rams will possess a lethal blend. 

I expect nothing less, in time, than a "hybrid" dome team that will ultimately employ a group of highly skilled offensive weapons while at the same time utilizing a power running attack led by Steven Jackson, that will smack you right in the grill.  

This "hybrid" dome offense will translate well when faced with bad weather games away from the Edward Jones Dome.

Fisher's offenses have tended to be conservative although, admittedly, he did begin to open it up more after the decline of Eddie George, Fisher's Steven Jackson-like power back of many seasons in Tennessee.  

Defensively, Fisher consistently employed aggressive, feisty defenses that liked to attack.  One notable difference from his and Spagnuolo's defense is that Fisher placed a heavier emphasis (no pun intended) on employing big, powerful defensive tackles.  

Fisher would then surround the stalwarts in the middle with athletes who could and would attack (aka Jevon Kearse) and made teams earn every yard, as Torry Holt attested to.  

Cortland Finnegan, a 27-year-old defensive back who played for the Titans under Fisher, could be an option for St. Louis.  Finnegan has already shown some interest in moving to the Gateway City with his former head coach. 

If Fisher's Rams find a way to put up some points and give the defense a lead, they will be able to attack with Chris Long, Robert Quinn and other defenders more frequently.  

As we know, when the dome gets rockin' a la 1999-2002, the Rams defense has an advantage as opposing offenses struggle to communicate, execute and find success. 

I expect the Rams to focus on adding playmakers and a bodyguard or two to the offense through the draft and/or free agency and to prioritize upgrading at defensive tackle, outside linebacker and perhaps corner (depending on the health of Ron Bartell, Bradley Fletcher, and Jerome Murphy, St. Louis' projected top three corners in 2011, all lost to injured reserve).

By blending the proven style of play that most often solicits success for dome teams with the fiery and physical play and mindset that Fisher's teams have been known for, St. Louis could field an offense that could adapt to various conditions better than most roofed teams while maintaining some of the flavor that typically works best for indoor teams.  

In short, get the offensive lineman playing tough and mean with a diverse set of wideouts (speed and possession guys) a power running back (Jackson) and a change of pace back who can do a little of everything, preferably with some blazing speed, and St. Louis likely improves dramatically on offense. 

The foundation is in place on defense with the aforementioned Long, Quinn, James Laurinaitis, a (hopefully) healthy trio of talented corners (Bartell, Fletcher and Murphy) and veteran safety Quintin Mikell.

So, other than adding at defensive tackle and outside linebacker, St. Louis should feel comfortable with focusing most of the attention upon supporting Bradford (assuming he stays) with bodyguards and getting him some explosive, versatile weapons.  

It may or may not be possible to add all these dimensions in one offseason, but the Rams will try to get as many pieces in place as possible. 

The offense is not as far away, however, as some may think.  

St. Louis can shore up their attack with a few moves, including the addition of a legit playmaker at wide receiver, a change of pace back and one or two starting offensive lineman.

If St. Louis retains Brandon Lloyd, the receiving corps will include he, Danny Amendola and Greg Salas, who impressed as a rookie.  

With a speedy receiver added in the draft and a healthy Denario Alexander potentially returning, some better offensive line play could lend itself to a much improved year from the quarterback position and thus a more productive offense overall.

The addition of an offensive lineman or two could aid the passing game and enhance the running attack, which will again be led by Steven Jackson with a later-to-be-named change of pace back coming off the bench with (hopefully) big play potential.

If they are able to add these pieces (and perhaps another tight end in this era where receiving tight ends have become so valuable), the Rams should certainly be in business offensively in 2012.

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year round. To check out the rest of his work, go here.  You are also encouraged to follow him here on Twitter.  

Jeff Fisher has finally made a decision and chosen the St. Louis Rams.

Though Fisher was said to prefer the Rams early, just a few days back news began to break that Fisher preferred the Miami Dolphins. At one point, he was reported by Adam Schefter to be 80-20 in favor of the Dolphins.

Though fans in both Miami and St. Louis were probably most on edge for these past few days, across the NFC West—in San Francisco, Seattle and Arizona—fans were glued to the saga, waiting to see what would come next.

The NFC West takes a lot of stuff for being the worst division in football. But for the third time in as many years, the most high-profile head coach available has seen enough potential in an NFC West team to join it ahead of other, more high-profile gigs.

In 2010, Pete Carroll left USC to join the Seattle Seahawks and lead them, somewhat controversially, to a playoff spot following a 7-9 finish. Carroll then led them in beating the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints during the Wild Card Round before stumbling against the Chicago Bears.

In 2011, Jim Harbaugh left Stanford to join the struggling San Francisco 49ers and lead the team to a 13-3 regular-season record. Harbaugh also went on to upset the Saints in his first NFL playoff game as a head coach.

In 2012, it will be Jeff Fisher's turn, as he will to try to turn around a Rams team that looked helpless in 2011, and he is expected to lead the Rams back into divisional contention, perhaps staging a playoff upset of his own.

Only the Cardinals have yet to see a change at head coach since appointing Ken Whisenhunt in 2007.

Will Fisher's appointment help to cement the NFC West as a real NFL contender and turn around a division which has regularly been the laughingstock of the NFL? What does that mean to the other teams in the division, specifically the Arizona Cardinals? Let's take a look.

The Good News for the Arizona Cardinals

Though Rams fans are probably most excited by Fisher's appointment, there were no shortage of Cardinals fans were relieved when they heard the news.

The reasons? Ray Horton and Steve Keim.

Ray Horton is the defensive coordinator responsible for turning the Cardinals defense, and in no small part the 2011 season, around. Horton is a great defensive coordinator and will certainly one day get his own head coaching job.

Horton interviewed with the Rams a little over a week ago, but at the time the general consensus was that Fisher had the job locked up, Horton, with only one year of experience as a coordinator, was interviewed solely to satisfy the Rooney Rule.

However, Horton impressed...a lot. Rumors started to swirl that if Fisher wasn't hired, Horton would get the job, and Cardinals fans began biting their nails.

So when news broke a few days later that Fisher was leaning heavily towards the job in Miami, Arizona football fans took a sharp intake of breath, seemingly as one.

Breathe a sigh of relief, Cardinals fans—Fisher's appointment means Horton will likely stick around for at least one more season and further instill his effective defensive philosophy in the Cardinals' young defense.

Sure, he could still depart for another vacant position, perhaps in Miami or Tampa Bay. But that now seems significantly less likely, as both teams seem to have already interviewed, or have interviews lined up with, coaches who satisfy Rooney's rule, the main reason for teams calling on a first-year coordinator.

Horton was not the only Cardinals staffer up for a position in St. Louis. Steve Keim, the Cardinals director of player personnel, was, and technically remains, a potential target for the Rams' vacant GM job.

However, to land Fisher, the Rams apparently needed to give up an awful lot of authority to Fisher, which is reported to include a say in the hiring of all coaches and even front-office staff.

With Titans VP of football operations Lake Dawson, a man who worked with Fisher, now interviewing with the Rams, Keim seems, for now, to be staying put too.

Bad News for the Arizona Cardinals

While coaching stability is certainly a good thing for the Cardinals, it is not without its drawbacks.

Jeff Fisher is an experienced NFL head coach with a solid regular-season record, playoff experience and a nose for sniffing out talent. 

In St. Louis, Fisher will be given near total control of all aspects of the game, something he never really had in Houston/Tennessee, and the backing of an owner, Stan Kroenke, who has pretty deep pockets.

While in the NFL, absolute power is no guarantee of success—Cardinals fans will remember the mismanagement which ensued when Fisher's mentor, Buddy Ryan, was given absolute control in Phoenix.

But given the building blocks he has in place, (a franchise QB in Sam Bradford, a set of early draft picks and an owner apparently willing to spend his way out of a hole), it's hard not to suspect that Fisher will at least improve on 2011's performance.

That's a problem for the Cardinals, if only because they need to play this team twice. In 2011, playing the Rams was as close to a guaranteed win as you get in the NFL. In 2012, that will not be the case.

Fisher already seems to have his coaching targets. New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator, and close friend of Fisher, Gregg Williams is rumored to be the Rams' new DC in 2012 and former Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is set to be officially announced as offensive coordinator, pending the signing of his contract.

This is an experienced, successful group, all of whom have coached teams to the playoffs in recent memory. Add to that Lake Dawson, who would officially carry the title of GM but, if reports are correct, would act as more of an adviser to Fisher, and it's easy to imagine the 2012 Rams looking nothing like the whipping boy which they appeared to be in 2011.

With the NFC West likely to be wide open next season, the Cardinals cannot hope to remain in contention without significant improvements on both sides of the ball.

The Good News for the NFC West

Following Fisher's signing, there are three NFC West coaches, Carroll, Harbaugh and Fisher himself, who are supremely motivated to justify their decision to join the NFC West and improve the quality of football coming out of it.

No coach wants his NFL epitaph to read, "He did okay, because he coached in a bad division."

With these three coaches duking it out to back up their choice to coach in the NFC West with actions, and with two out of the three also having the main say in the players they bring in, the level of competition in the NFC West and the caliber of players making their homes in there should result in a real change in perception of this division.

All of that ignores the Cardinals, who themselves have a good coaching staff and some elite players and will also be attempting to repeat their success from 2008 and 2009.

All in all—pending the draft and free agency, of course—this makes for one competitive, wide-open division, with each and every team having the potential to go deep in the playoffs.

In other words, exactly the sort of division which could get national media attention next season.

Fans of teams in the NFC West have long shrugged off the accusations of theirs being a "weak" division, but it would be nice to shed the belief for good.

Fans will know, for example, NFC West teams have won at least one playoff game in every season since 2004, and the division has sent two teams, the Seahawks and Cardinals, to the Super Bowl in that time. Both, it should be noted, lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, widely acknowledged to be one of only a few NFL dynasties of the modern era, and several others would be knocked out by the eventual champions.

However, this doesn't seem to have ended the nonstop jokes at NFC West teams' expense.

It is a very real possibility that the NFC West could see two or more teams represented in the playoffs in 2012, with all four teams in contention towards the end of the season. This, coupled with any of them going deep in the playoffs, and the NFC West could finally put an end to its position as the butt of all NFL jokes.

The Bad News for the NFC West

Of course, all of this comes crashing down if the coaches fail to perform.

The added scrutiny the addition of Fisher will no doubt bring only goes to increase the prospect of the NFC West forever cementing its position as the worst division in football if it once more sends a team to the playoffs with a losing record.

The Rams are still very much an unknown. Though Fisher was the most high-profile head coach available this year, his coaching style is somewhat out of vogue in the NFL right now.

He has never operated in the role the Rams are giving him with so much absolute control. While he has the potential to do some really exciting things in the draft, holding the second overall pick and the first pick on the second day of the draft—real trade bait—whether such a new inexperienced front office group can pull the trigger on any "killer trade" remains to be seen.

With Fisher having spent a season out of the game, there are also some questions as to whether he has the requisite knowledge to go into the draft and free agency, having the final say on hirings as he does, and make good decisions.

Carroll was adequate in his first year in Seattle, making the playoffs and upsetting the Saints, but he did so with the worst regular season ever for a division winner, and his failure to compete in 2011 has already put him in the hot seat.

If he fails to produce results in 2012, his dual role as head coach and VP of football operations is in real jeopardy. Both of the drafts Carroll has been in charge of have been considered only average thus far, and though he has made a lot of changes on both sides of the ball, to date his success has been relatively limited.

Harbaugh is looking very good in 2011 but in 2012 will face a much tougher schedule, and he may too struggle to repeat whatever success he achieves this season. The 49ers will undoubtedly have a tougher time repeating their results from 2011.

In the main, they will struggle to balance their salary cap requirements and keep their successful defensive unit intact, with two of their MVPs—Carlos Rogers and Dashon Goldson—entering free agency.

The team will have a real big decision about the future of Alex Smith, and their offensive priorities in 2012, with a huge number of free agents to deal with.

The Cardinals have the most consistency coming into 2012 and appear to be in the best position to challenge for the NFC West title. But they also many questions to answer, specifically on the offensive side of the football.

These questions revolve around the quarterback position—is that player on the roster, will they try to sign a top free-agent quarterback and how will their weakness on the offensive line likely limit whoever starts?

There is also a very real possibility of all teams being too evenly matched to get solid results. If no team is able to break away from the pack and divisional games are pretty evenly split, teams will really struggle to shine and show the world what they can do.

In Conclusion

Fisher's hiring is a real mixed blessing, both for the Cardinals and the NFC West as a whole.

The reality is, we will have to see whether things play out in favor of the Cardinals. It's hard to spin the immediate benefits—keeping some of the most successful parts of their staff and coaches intact—as anything but a positive, but the long-term effects are yet to be seen.

The draft and Fisher's foray into the free-agent market will likely give us a much clearer picture of what the future holds for the Cardinals, but right now, at least, it's anyone's game.

According to veteran local and national journalist Howard Balzer, the St. Louis Rams will introduce Jeff Fisher as the organization's eighth head coach since in St. Louis 1995 since the franchise's inception in the Show-Me State.

Howard Balzer stated this on twitter today:  

HBalzer721 Howard Balzer Jeff Fisher interviewing Brian Schottenheimer in Nashville today for offensive coordinator job. Rams press conference for Fisher Tuesday.

According to ESPN, the St. Louis Rams will introduce Fisher at 1 PM central time.  

St. Louis fans are abuzz, for the most part, over the Fisher hire.  Optimism, long in short supply amidst a 15-65 stretch, has returned in earnest.  

The former head coach of the Tennessee Titans brings a lineage of winning and experience to the St. Louis head coaching position. The last two Rams head coaches, Scott Linehan and Steve Spagnuolo, were first timers in the role.

Although success is possible and often transpires within the coordinator to head coach transition, it is a more unpredictable endeavor in comparison to hiring a proven head coach.  

For every Mike Tomlin there is a Scott Linehan. 

Furthermore, the Rams are not in the same position, as an organization, as the Pittsburgh Steelers were in when promoting Mike Tomlin.  

Pittsburgh was well established as a perennial playoff contender and did not have an impending lease situation hanging over the organization. 

Additionally, when considering the 15-65 stretch, the epic failures of the Linehan and Spagnuolo regimes (both hired after coordinator roles), and the need to establish "a winning tradition in and for St. Louis," the Fisher hire was the only hire that made sense. 

St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke got his man in Jeff Fisher, and Fisher will be proudly introduced via Rams Park in Earth City, Missouri, on Tuesday. 

St. Louis fans are eager to hear him address the fan base and share his thoughts and overall vision for the future of the Rams.  Fans want to here his plan regarding how the organization wants to go about turning things around under his leadership in the Gateway City.  

Optimism regarding the Rams is back, in a big way, in St. Louis, something that has been yearned for and coveted intensely in recent years.

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year round. To check out the rest of his work, go here.  You are also encouraged to follow him here on Twitter.  

With the impending hire of Jeff Fisher as the St. Louis Rams head coach, Missouri has become the official home of the mustache in the National Football League. Nobody rocks the 'stache better than Fisher and his Show Me State coaching colleague Romeo Crennel of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Who’s the better coach? Who cares? The real question is which front man’s hairy mark of masculinity is superior.

2. Romeo Crennel

Career Record: 26-41

Mustache Type: Cuddly Overlord

Crennel’s neatly-trimmed graying mustache lends to him the qualities of your favorite teddy bear. In a way he resembles former Soviet Union dictator Joseph Stalin, who helped win World War II, but never beat the Green Bay Packers.

1. Jeff Fisher

Career Record: 147-126 (Including playoffs)

Mustache Type: Classic Cop/Porn Star

The newest Ram looks like a 1970’s rogue police detective who moonlights as an adult film star. Armed with a 'stache that’s bushier and less gray than Crennel’s, as well as wrap-around sunglasses, Fisher projects a toughness you’d expect from a former USC and Chicago Bears defensive back.

Chuck Norris wouldn’t mess with this mustache.

While the Miami Dolphins were his first choice, Jeff Fisher’s decision to become the new head coach of the St. Louis Rams was the better long-term choice.

The former Tennessee Titans coach spent 16 full seasons with the team and even accompanied the team on their journey from Houston to Nashville. For the Rams ownership group, that is the sign that a coach will give you his best for a long time.

And the Rams need all the help they can get for a long time.

Fisher has always been considered one of the best “Xs” and “Os” coaches in the NFL. His defensive schemes were developed under the tutelage of Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan, so you can expect that Fisher will bring his heavy hand to a St. Louis defense that ranked in the bottom third for almost every major statistical category.

Don’t be fooled either, folks. It may say that the Rams gave up the seventh-fewest passing yards per game, but that’s because the teams that were beating up on St. Louis were running the ball on the 31st-ranked run defense.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOtBDHnUueI

With players like James Laurinaitis and Chris Long already playing in the 4-3 system, Fisher's transformation won’t be as drastic as once thought. With the right draft picks and utilization of free agents, St. Louis will have a top-10 defense in three seasons.

As far as Fisher goes controlling an offense, I have never felt like he was the best person to be making the calls on which quarterback to take for the franchise’s future. Thank goodness for him and for the Rams' organization that a young building block like 2010 No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford is there to make that choice unnecessary.

With Steven Jackson leading a strong running game, Fisher will immediately implement his plans to rebuild the offense starting with the offensive line like he did in Tennessee. That’s great news for Bradford and a Rams team that allowed a league-worst 55 sacks last season.

There is no question that Fisher’s style is not up the gun-slinging mentality of the Saints, Packers or Patriots, but he will do enough for the Rams to make them relevant.

Fisher, along with the development of Bradford, will put the lowly Rams back into the playoffs in 2012.

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NFL Page to get your fill of all things football.

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