NFL St Louis Rams

5 Things We Learned From the St. Louis Rams’ 2014 Season

5 Things We Learned From the Rams' 2014 Season

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On the surface, the St. Louis Rams’ 6-10 record in 2014 appears to be a step backward under Jeff Fisher’s watch. After a 7-8-1 mark in year one and 7-9 record a year ago, one less win is numerically a step in the wrong direction, but that fails to recognize the hardships this team battled through all season and the achievements they managed along the way. Here are five things we learned from the Rams’ 2014 season.

5. Running Backs Really Are a Dime a Dozen

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5. Running Backs Really Are a Dime a Dozen

St. Louis Rams
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Replacing Steven Jackson was supposed to be hard before Zac Stacy ran roughshod over the NFL in the latter half of the 2013 season. Then after he struggled to begin 2014, rookie Tre Mason emerged as the explosive lead back for the Rams. Running back has clearly devolved into a disposable position in today’s NFL, and the Rams are living proof that a team can plug in a mid-to-late round pick and still find success.

4. Tavon Austin Is Far From a Bust Yet

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4. Tavon Austin Is Far From a Bust Yet

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After a less than inspiring rookie season, some were questioning the Rams’ decision to trade up into the top 10 picks for a 5-foot-8, 175-pound receiver in 2013. Now two years into his NFL career, Tavon Austin appears to have put those doubts to bed. While he may never be a traditional receiver in the sense of running every pattern on the route tree, Austin offers more than enough to make up for his diminutive size.

3. Defense Growing Into a Serious Force

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3. Defense Growing Into a Serious Force

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Ranking 14th in rush yards allowed, 19th against the pass and 17th overall doesn’t exactly show a defense that is becoming a force, but the individual performances suggest otherwise. Robert Quinn is still a sack machine after his extension, Aaron Donald was a rookie force with nine sacks and two forced fumbles, Alec Ogletree and James Laurinaitis were as fierce as ever at linebacker and the young secondary is rounding into form.

2. Jeff Fisher the Perfect Fit As Head Coach

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2. Jeff Fisher the Perfect Fit As Head Coach

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Say what you will about Jeff Fisher’s borderline style, but the veteran coach is ideal for these young Rams. After a rough start that saw them with a 1-4 record, the Rams righted the ship, beat some Super Bowl contenders in the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks and were fiercely competitive down the stretch. Weeks 13-15 saw them surrender zero touchdowns to their opponents with two shutouts. With playoff hopes gone, that’s pure motivation.

1. Reset Button Must Be Pressed At QB

St. Louis Rams
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

1. Reset Button Must Be Pressed At QB

St. Louis Rams
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

As an advocate for starting over at quarterback after Sam Bradford’s first ACL tear a season ago, his second such injury to the same knee has to confirm a reset at the position in 2015. His bloated cap number ensures that Bradford won’t be back without a significant paycut, so at the very least the Rams will get some extra money to work with this offseason. That could help propel this team to greater heights next season.

Anthony Blake is a Senior Writer/Copy Editor for Rant Sports. You Can Follow Him on Twitter, on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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