Every other offensive line in the NFC West is struggling this preseason.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith has been harassed relentlessly; the O-line gave up six sacks in the first preseason game on top of an unbelievable amount of pressure.

The Seahawks offensive line should theoretically be better, given an offseason to heal and the development of Russell Okung. Still, even if Tarvaris Jackson wasn’t performing terribly, the Hawks’ line is playing abysmally.

The Cardinals offensive line has Levi Brown playing left tackle. Oh, and future Hall of Fame candidate Alan Faneca retired, who might have been their best lineman even after declining play due to his age.

The Rams drafted Rodger Saffold in 2010, who looks like a slam dunk at left tackle and could be even better as soon as this year. Jason Brown is one of the most underrated centers in the league. Harvey Dahl was a great pickup at right guard, and he brings in versatility as a possible right tackle and a nasty demeanor to the trenches.

There’s no doubt this line is the class of the division. Sam Bradford is well protected, and Steven Jackson will have holes to run through.

ST. LOUIS — An abbreviated work week is just fine with the St. Louis Rams. The sooner they can erase the bad taste from Week 2 of the preseason, the better.

“It’s good to get back to work,” St. Louis coach Steve Spagnuolo said. “I think thew ere good today (Monday). They worked pretty hard.

“We put them in uppers and wanted to get some things squared away with pad leverage and kind of iron out some things that happened in the game,” he said, referring to Saturday’s 17-16 win here over Tennessee.

The defense got beat several times on cutback runs and the offense stalled after getting an 83-yard touchdown strike on its first snap.

Spagnuolo called it a work in progress. He’s counting on it looking a lot better on Friday night when the Rams (2-0) play at Kansas City (0-2) in the annual Governor’s Cup game.

More injuries popped up on Monday, perhaps the most significant a calf injury to tight end Mike Hoomanawanui. Spagnuolo said the team was a little bit concerned.

“He has a calf strain and I’mt not sure, but it may be significant,” Spagnuolo said

Wide receiver Danario Alexander had an MRI on his often-injured left knee. Defensive tackle Daniel Muir aggravated an ankle injury and wide receiver Mardy Gilyard was unable to loosen up a thigh injury.

“It’s the same knee,” Spagnuolo said of Alexander. “It’s not that anything happened, it just feels funny on him. We’re just making sure we’re not dealing with anything serious, so we had him get an MRI to put his mind at ease.”

Defensive end Chris Long returned quickly from a bone spur on between his toes that has cropped up from time to time, saying he felt fine. Offensive tackle Rodger Saffold, sidelined with a sore back in the second quarter Saturday, was also back.

Meanwhile, the longest tenured St. Louis player, long snapper Chris Massey, has been released.

The nine-year veteran was a seventh-round draft in 2002. The 32-year-old Massey lost out Monday to rookie Jake McQuaide, signed as an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State.

Massey appeared in 135 regular-season games with the Rams. He and McQuaide alternated snaps in the first two preseason games.

“All I can say is that he’s a quality person and a great character guy,” Spagnuolo said. “I enjoyed the two years with him and we will miss him. I would be very surprised if he’s not working in this league somewhere.”

By design, Josh McDaniels’ offense for the St. Louis Rams’ preseason opener was not a radical departure from last season.

It’s no time to be unveiling the playbook.

The small portion the Rams used while scoring 33 points in a victory over the Indianapolis Colts was effective enough, even without Steven Jackson.

They had planned on easing the Pro Bowl running back into action in Week 2 of the preseason Saturday night against Tennessee, although Jackson watched most of Tuesday’s practice because of soreness in his left hip.

“We know the plays, we know what we’re trying to do,” guard Harvey Dahl said. “Now it’s just the little things, the communication, working together.”

McDaniels said players have been introduced to most of his system, along with most of the staff back from last year.

The former Denver Broncos coach, fired last December, said he’s enjoyed concentrating on one side of the ball and getting a chance to work closely with quarterback Sam Bradford.

“I think we’re having a lot of fun, and I don’t think you hear that word a lot in training camp,” McDaniels said. “I think our guys are really enjoying getting into the system.

“They’ve got a great attitude, we love the way they’re working for us, and every day we come out and make a little bit of a stride here and there.”

St. Louis averaged 18.1 points last year, tied for 26th in the NFL, and was 26th in total offense under Pat Shurmur, now the Cleveland Browns’ head coach.

Besides McDaniels, the Rams added Dahl, wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker and backup running backs Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood in free agency, and second-round draft pick Lance Kendricks is starting at tight end.

The Rams scored on six of their first seven possessions of the preseason opener using mostly the base offense, also capitalizing on early turnovers.

They totaled 169 yards rushing behind strong games from Williams and Keith Toston, and the line gave up no sacks.

Players didn’t seem too satisfied after Week 1, using the last two practices to iron out kinks. Wide receiver Danny Amendola’s overall assessment: “I felt like it was OK.”

The Rams face some tough choices at wide receiver with perhaps nine strong candidates for six spots. That’s a departure from coach Steve Spagnuolo’s first two years when that position didn’t get much attention.

Amendola, Sims-Walker and Brandon Gibson appear assured of jobs, along with rookies Greg Salas and Austin Pettis, drafted in the third and fourth rounds. Deep threats Danario Alexander and Donnie Avery have to show they can stay healthy, and Mardy Gilyard could make the team as a return man.

Spagnuolo includes rookie tight end Lance Kendricks, who has been impressive, in that group because he’ll often be split wide. There are likely seven spots to fill and versatility will be a big plus, given McDaniels’ penchant for moving receivers around and altering the game plan based on the opponent.

“They’ve got to be flexible,” McDaniels said. “The more they can do, the better off they’ll be. We may end up having more guys in slot formation one week and the next we don’t line up in the slot formation at all, because that’s not really how to beat that team.”

NOTES: OT Rodger Saffold (back) did not practice a day after leaving early. … OLB Brady Poppinga wasn’t out for long after needing stitches to close a cut on his lower right leg. “He jumped in there and said ‘Stitch it up and let’s go practice,’” Spagnuolo said.

ST. LOUIS By design, Josh McDaniels’ offence for the St. Louis Rams’ pre-season opener was not a radical departure from last season. It’s no time to be unveiling the playbook.

The small portion the Rams used while scoring 33 points in a victory over the Indianapolis Colts was effective enough, even without Steven Jackson. They had planned on easing the Pro Bowl running back into action in Week 2 of the pre-season Saturday night against Tennessee, although Jackson watched most of Tuesday’s practice because of soreness in his left hip.

“We know the plays, we know what we’re trying to do,” guard Harvey Dahl said. “Now it’s just the little things, the communication, working together.”

McDaniels said players have been introduced to most of his system, along with most of the staff back from last year. The former Denver Broncos coach, fired last December, said he’s enjoyed concentrating on one side of the ball and getting a chance to work closely with quarterback Sam Bradford.

“I think we’re having a lot of fun, and I don’t think you hear that word a lot in training camp,” McDaniels said. “I think our guys are really enjoying getting into the system.

“They’ve got a great attitude, we love the way they’re working for us, and every day we come out and make a little bit of a stride here and there.”

St. Louis averaged 18.1 points last year, tied for 26th in the NFL, and was 26th in total offence under Pat Shurmur, now the Cleveland Browns’ head coach. Besides McDaniels, the Rams added Dahl, wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker and backup running backs Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood in free agency, and second-round draft pick Lance Kendricks is starting at tight end.

The Rams scored on six of their first seven possessions of the pre-season opener using mostly the base offence, also capitalizing on early turnovers. They totalled 169 yards rushing behind strong games from Williams and Keith Toston, and the line gave up no sacks.

Players didn’t seem too satisfied after Week 1, using the last two practices to iron out kinks. Wide receiver Danny Amendola’s overall assessment: “I felt like it was OK.”

The Rams face some tough choices at wide receiver with perhaps nine strong candidates for six spots. That’s a departure from coach Steve Spagnuolo’s first two years when that position didn’t get much attention.

Amendola, Sims-Walker and Brandon Gibson appear assured of jobs, along with rookies Greg Salas and Austin Pettis, drafted in the third and fourth rounds. Deep threats Danario Alexander and Donnie Avery have to show they can stay healthy, and Mardy Gilyard could make the team as a return man.

Spagnuolo includes the rookie tight end Kendricks, who has been impressive, in that group because he’ll often be split wide. There are likely seven spots to fill and versatility will be a big plus, given McDaniels’ penchant for moving receivers around and altering the game plan based on the opponent.

“They’ve got to be flexible,” McDaniels said. “The more they can do, the better off they’ll be. We may end up having more guys in slot formation one week and the next we don’t line up in the slot formation at all, because that’s not really how to beat that team.”

NOTES: OT Rodger Saffold (back) did not practise a day after leaving early. … OLB Brady Poppinga wasn’t out for long after needing stitches to close a cut on his lower right leg. “He jumped in there and said ‘Stitch it up and let’s go practise,’” Spagnuolo said.

The Associated Press

Last season, the Rams were the 10th youngest team in the league. Good for the youngest team in the division.

If there is one thing that is true in this league, it’s that younger players tend to improve and that older players tend to decline. The reigning champ Seahawks were the seventh oldest team in the NFL. Granted, they did get younger with the loss of Matt Hasselbeck, but across the board they are one of the oldest teams in the league.

It’s also very easy to point to the promise of these young Ram players. Obviously, everybody knows about Sam Bradford at this point, but look at guys like Jason Smith, Rodger Saffold, Chris Long and James Laurinaitis as some of the young guys on this team yet to reach their peak. It appears that the Rams are a leg up on their competition as far as the potential of their youth. 

On the NFL Network’s Total Access show on July 19, Michael Lombardi selected the St. Louis Rams as the team to make the biggest leap in 2011, during a discussion with former Rams’ greats Torry Holt and Kurt Warner.

In explaining his reasoning for selecting the Rams, Lombardi told Holt and Warner that:

“I’m gonna go back with your guys’ old team…I’m gonna go with the Rams.  To me, Sam Bradford is gonna take that huge step forward like most quarterbacks do once they’ve got their feet.  As a rookie, I thought he was sensational, but this year I think he’ll take that giant step, take some of the pressure off Steven Jackson…let him stay fresh for the second half.”

“I know they have a very difficult schedule going down, but that NFC West is anybody’s game, and I think the best quarterback is gonna win that.  I know, look, if you’re gonna be a great team you gotta beat great teams, and a dome team can find ways to manufacture wins.  You guys know, in a dome your defense can stop the run.  So I think Sam Bradford is one of those guys that can follow in the footsteps and kinda take the Rams back to where they were before.”

It’s been awhile since the Rams received accolades of this type from around the league.  After a playoff drought dating back to 2004 and a brutal 6-42 stretch during that run, last year’s 7-9 record gave reasons for fans and media alike to take notice of the Rams upward progression.

For the first time in a while, the Rams have been picked to win the NFC West by the likes of Lindy’s pro football preview magazine of lindyssports.com.

Core players like Sam Bradford, Steven Jackson, James Laurinaitis, Chris Long, Ron Bartell, and Rodger Saffold, among others, will be counted on for big seasons.  Other veterans like Bradley Fletcher, Donnie Avery, and Jason Smith will make a major impact if they take a step up in their individual play this season, as some expect. 

As is the case with every team, however, rookie play is vital, too.  For a look at each of the Rams rookies and what impact they may make in 2011, check out this article.

There are four key reasons that I focused on, (among others), that bode well towards the Rams quest to top the NFC West in 2011.

Of interest, Warner chose the Detroit Lions to make the NFL’s biggest leap while Holt went with the San Diego Chargers.

Rams fans, of course, hope Michael Lombardi hit the nail on the head with his selection of the St. Louis Rams. 

For more from Kurt Warner on Sam Bradford and him stating that “I think he’s going to be a superstar…”, please read here.

They’ve got the franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford, and that separates them from the other teams in the division, at least for now. The San Francisco 49ers might have the answer in rookie second-round choice Colin Kaepernick, but it’s too early to say. The Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks can improve their chances by addressing the position during free agency this offseason or in the 2012 draft.

The Rams have no such worries. Bradford showed them plenty last season as rookie, particularly with the way he commanded the offense and kept his poise. The stats were there for stretches — 11 touchdowns against one pick over a six-game stretch in the middle of the season — and the numbers should only improve. If all goes as planned, Bradford will be hitting full stride by the 2014 season, and probably before then.

St. Louis already has the most consistent defense in the division. Defensive end Chris Long and middle linebacker James Laurinaitis give coach Steve Spagnuolo young building blocks. Defensive end Robert Quinn, drafted 14th overall this year, should become one as well.

The Rams have more building to do, of course. They’ll need to improve at receiver and find Steven Jackson’s successor at running back. They must continue replenishing their defensive line while getting help for Laurinaitis at linebacker.

As much or more than other teams in the division, though, the Rams have shown an ability get things right in the draft. Long, Bradford, Laurinaitis and left tackle Rodger Saffold give St. Louis a strong core to build around. Right tackle Jason Smith hasn’t been a big hit after being the No. 2 overall pick in 2009, but he’s not bust, either. Smith and Saffold should give the Rams bookend tackles for years to come.

Thanks to Bradford and billionaire owner Stan Kroenke, the Rams have the strongest foundation in the NFC West. That doesn’t guarantee divisional dominance for the time period in question, but it certainly gives the Rams a head start.