On Monday, May 14, the state of Missouri released the St. Louis Rams‘ proposal for renovations to the Edward Jones Dome. The team believes that the improvements made to the venue would put it in tier-one status.

Here are five thoughts on the proposed upgrades:

Reaching for the sky

Most Rams fans expected the team to try and get the best deal with its proposal. That’s why the team’s requests shouldn’t shock anyone. The Rams want to overhaul the Edward Jones Dome so that there are retractable panels on the roof to add natural lighting. The proposal also includes a demolished and rebuilt east section of the building to allow for larger concourses and new seating, and it would also add another entrance into the dome. I like what they are trying to accomplish with these plans. The Edward Jones Dome isn’t a horrible venue, but it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that NFL stadiums require now. This proposal would change that.

Super Bowl?

If you take a close look at the proposal, the Rams are hoping that the stadium could one day host a Super Bowl. The team’s plan calls for additional temporary seating that would help boost the dome’s capacity to over 71,000 if awarded the game. I love that the Rams were thinking big in their proposal. Hosting a Super Bowl is good for a team’s reputation, but it has a larger impact on the city as a whole.

What’s the middle ground?

You have to think that the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Center (CVC) will reject this proposal, but where can each side come together to reach an agreement? The proposals the Rams and the CVC made are complete opposites. The CVC’s plan is a temporary fix at best. The Rams’ proposal would cost much more, but it would also erase the need for a completely new stadium. When the CVC rejects this plan, how will the arbitrator see it? I can’t wait to find out, but I suspect an arbitrator’s ruling would lean more towards the Rams’ plan. A lot of it just makes sense.

What doesn’t make sense?

However, there are issues with the Rams’ proposal. Jeff Rainford, chief of staff for St. Louis mayor Francis Slay, noted that the stadium’s renovations would cost over $700 million. It would also require the stadium’s closure for two to three years. That would seriously harm hotels and other businesses surrounding the stadium. This is a huge problem. St. Louis holds many events in in the area, and this type of intrusive construction would drive out revenue from the city. Of course, where will the Rams play if the dome is shut down for an extended period of time? These are questions that would need answered for the plan to work.

The price tag is steep

I have to wonder if St. Louis and the state of Missouri will be willing to invest the $350-$400 million that I’d expect would be their responsibility in this deal. Taxpayers are still paying off the original stadium project from the mid-1990s, and I have my doubts about whether the city can afford more. It will be interesting to see if what dollar amount the CVC will agree to in arbitration.

Derek Ciapala has been a Rams fan since he was a child and the team was in Los Angeles. His favorite Rams moments include Flipper Anderson’s 336-yard receiving night against the Saints in 1989, and their miracle 1999 run to their first Super Bowl victory. You can follow him on Twitter @dciapala.

Steve Smith caught 107 passes for 1220 yards for the New York Giants back in 2009. That was good enough for a franchise record in receptions and second-most receiving yards in Giants’ history in a single season.

Smith caught five passes for 50 yards in the Giants’ Super Bowl win over the Patriots. He got to play in the Pro Bowl. Things were going great for Smith, and then the bottom fell out.

A serious knee injury robbed Smith of the second half of his 2010 season. Then the NFL lockout came, and in one of the strangest stories of the offseason, Smith signed with rival Philadelphia before the Giants ever really had a chance to make a contract offer to Smith.

The Eagles were loaded at receiver, and Smith was coming off of a major injury. Like every other injured player in the NFL, the lockout didn’t help Smith, as he was trying to get his legs back under him, literally. Smith managed only 11 catches for 124 yards in nine games before having knee problems.

So that leads us to the here and now, with Smith signing with the St. Louis Rams.

How much does Steve Smith have left? Is the former second-round pick finally healthy? Is he a pass-catching, chain-moving machine, or is he the broken-down player of the past two seasons?

Rams’ fans are hoping for the former. Rams’ management is paying for the latter.

Smith’s contract is a one-year deal, basically a chance to prove himself again. He is hoping for a bigger, better contract next season. The Rams are hoping he plays well enough to earn one, because they desperately need Steve Smith to play like his old self.

If Smith can be that guy, he takes the Rams’ passing game, and Sam Bradford’s career, to another level. I think we will see the best of Steve Smith this season. I expect him to catch 80-90 passes, and I think he will provide Sam Bradford with the kind of security blanket he was missing last season.

On Thursday, April 26, the St. Louis Rams will try to take their next step towards respectability by filling their roster through the 2012 NFL Draft. This is a year when the team must prioritize roster needs over wants. The Rams might love running back Trent Richardson, but they need a wide receiver and help on both the offensive and defensive lines.

This is a departure in strategy for me because I’ve written that the Rams should take Richardson if he’s available. However, there are so many holes on this roster that the team must fill them before going after a running back. That’s the only way the Rams will be able to contend in the NFL again.

Here’s a look at five players who would fill needs on the Rams’ roster for 2012:

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

If there has been one thing the Rams have missed in the Sam Bradford era, it’s been a playmaking wide receiver. I’m not sold on his speed, and his attitude must improve, but Blackmon is the type of player who can change a game. He has a nose for the football that few receivers ever have, especially in the end zone. If Blackmon is still available, and the Rams don’t trade down from the sixth pick in the draft, this is probably the pick they will make.

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

While Blackmon is believed by many experts to be the best receiver in this draft, I think Michael Floyd is a better fit for the Rams. What makes this idea even more appealing is that the Rams can probably trade down to get him. Floyd has the unique combination of size and speed that the team needs right now. Blackmon is talented, but he doesn’t have the burst running downfield that Floyd has. This is the pick I favor the Rams making, even if they can’t trade down to do it. I honestly believe he can develop into an elite receiver in St. Louis.

Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State

The Rams were last in the NFL last season in rush defense. The Rams could solve that problem by drafting fast-rising defensive lineman Fletcher Cox. Currently ranked as the seventh best prospect in the 2012 NFL Draft, Cox is an outstanding run stopper who would bring athleticism and versatility to the Rams defense. The only problem is that St. Louis needs a wide receiver more than a defensive lineman. One possibility could include the Rams taking Cox and then making a trade to get back into the first round to draft Floyd or Texas A&M’s Stephen Hill.

Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s Kevin Zeitler is one of the best, if not the best, run blockers in this draft. His style would fit in perfectly with the offense head coach Jeff Fisher will run in St. Louis. Zeitler would also add talent to an offensive line that did little to protect Bradford in 2011. There’s a good chance the Rams take him with their first pick in the second round if he’s available.

Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

I’m a Big Ten guy, so maybe some of my personal bias is getting in the way, but I think Jerel Worthy would be an outstanding pick for the Rams. According to scout Charlie Campbell, Worthy is a playmaker who can take over games. He also shoots the gap well. I saw these characteristics from Worthy all season, and I think he would be a great fit for a team that hasn’t had a true force on the interior defensive line in years.

Derek Ciapala has been a Rams fan since he was a child and the team was in Los Angeles. His favorite Rams moments include Flipper Anderson’s 336-yard receiving night against the Saints in 1989, and their miracle 1999 run to their first Super Bowl victory. You can follow him on Twitter @dciapala.

The NFC West was the butt of many jokes a year ago, but the division as a whole is improving. 

In the 2012 season, the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams will strive to not picking in the Top 10 of the 2013 NFL draft. 

If all four teams are going to accomplish that, each team has to manage to survive its brutal schedule. 

In addition to playing each other twice during the year, the NFC West teams will square off against teams from the NFC North and AFC East. 

That being said, here’s a breakdown of each team’s upcoming season. 

San Francisco 49ers

Home: Week 2 vs. Detroit, Week 5 vs. Buffalo, Week 6 vs. New York Giants, Week 7 vs. Seattle, Week 10 vs. St. Louis, Week 11 vs. Chicago, Week 14 vs. Miami, Week 17 vs. Arizona 

Away: Week 1 vs. Green Bay, Week 3 vs. Minnesota, Week 4 vs. New York Jets, Week 8 vs. Arizona, Week 12 vs. New Orleans, Week 13 vs. St. Louis, Week 15 vs. New England, Week 16 vs. Seattle 

Bye: Week 9 

Most Exciting Matchup: Week 15 vs. New England.

Deep into the season, we’ll have an excellent idea where both teams stand. It’s possible this could be a Super Bowl preview, and there is no doubt both teams will use this game as a means to measure just how good they really are. 

2012 Prediction: 11-5

Arizona Cardinals

Home: Week 1 vs. Seattle, Week 3 vs. Philadelphia, Week 4 vs. Miami, Week 6 vs. Buffalo, Week 8 vs. San Francisco, Week 12 vs. St. Louis, Week 15 vs. Detroit, Week 16 vs. Chicago

Away: Week 2 vs. New England, Week 5 vs. St. Louis, Week 7 vs. Minnesota, Week 9 vs. Green Bay, Week 11 vs. Atlanta, Week 13 vs. New York Jets, Week 14 vs. Seattle, Week 17 vs. San Francisco 

Bye: Week 10 

Most Exciting Matchup: Week 3 vs. Philadelphia.

Kevin Kolb was injured last year so he didn’t get the chance to play against his former team. Seeing as how the Cardinals opted to pay Kolb this offseason, chances are very strong that he’ll be the starter. Going head to head against his former team will be very thrilling to watch. 

2012 Prediction: 6-10 

Seattle Seahawks

Home: Week 2 vs. Dallas, Week 3 vs. Green Bay, Week 6 vs. New England, Week 9 vs. Minnesota, Week 10 vs. New York Jets, Week 14 vs. Arizona, Week 16 vs. San Francisco, Week 17 vs. St. Louis 

Away: Week 1 vs. Arizona, Week 4 vs. St. Louis, Week 5 vs. Carolina, Week 7 vs. San Francisco, Week 8 vs. Detroit, Week 12 vs. Miami, Week 13 vs. Chicago, Week 15 vs. Buffalo 

Bye: Week 11 

Most Exciting Matchup: Week 3 vs. Green Bay.

Pete Carroll told WQAM in Miami, via SportsRadioInterviews.com, that there will be an open QB race for the starting job. Despite that, I still think Matt Flynn wins it, so it’ll be fantastic to sit back and watch him take on his former team and go head to head with Aaron Rodgers.

2012 Prediction:  7-9 

St. Louis Rams

Home: Week 2 vs. Washington, Week 4 vs. Seattle, Week 5 vs. Arizona, Week 7 vs. Green Bay, Week 8 vs. New England, Week 11 vs. New York Jets, Week 13 vs. San Francisco, Week 15 vs. Minnesota 

Away: Week 1 vs. Detroit, Week 3 vs. Chicago, Week 6 vs. Miami, Week 10 vs. San Francisco, Week 12 vs. Arizona, Week 14 vs. Buffalo, Week 16 vs. Tampa Bay, Week 17 vs. Seattle 

Bye: Week 9 

Most Exciting Matchup: Week 2 vs. Washington.

All signs are pointing to the Redskins picking Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 overall pick. Seeing two Heisman Trophy winners go toe to toe against each other will be great. Plus, since both teams had a very rough season a year ago, this game will be able to tell a lot about the progress each team has made in a year. 

2012 Prediction: 4-12 

On Tuesday, April 17, the NFL released the 2012 NFL schedule with a few surprises for the St. Louis Rams. The team will play just three games in the Edward Jones Dome after October 21. If the Rams have any hope of reaching .500 next season, they will need to play winning football in September and October.

High profile game

There are plenty of big games on the Rams’ schedule this season, but there are none bigger than the Oct. 21 matchup with the Green Bay Packers. Some fans will argue that all of the NFC West games are more important, and they are, but there is no greater measuring stick for the Rams than the 2010 Super Bowl champions. The Packers were the class of the NFC for most of 2011, and since they will likely be the best team to play in the Edward Jones Dome this season, this game is the one to look forward to in 2012.

No favors

The NFL didn’t do the Rams any favors this season. They have the league’s fourth most difficult 2012 schedule, which is going to hurt their efforts to improve upon the two wins they had last year. The big problem is that, out of their first three games, the Rams will face two playoff contenders on the road. They will also close 2012 with four out of six games on the road, including two trips east and a cross-country trip to finish the year against the rival Seattle Seahawks. Then again, at least the NFL didn’t schedule the Rams to run through the same gauntlet they faced to begin the 2011 season. That was one of the worst stretches I’ve ever seen a team face.

London

The Rams will have the chance to build their brand overseas in their Oct. 28 “home” game against the New England Patriots. While many Rams’ fans are unhappy about owner Stan Kroenke’s decision to move a home game to London, at least it could potentially benefit the franchise long-term. Hopefully, the team represents itself well in front of a London crowd that will likely favor them due to Kroenke’s involvement with Premier League club Arsenal.

2012 St. Louis Rams Schedule

All games are listed in Eastern Standard Time.

Week 1: Sunday, September 9 – at Detroit Lions, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 2: Sunday, September 16 – vs. Washington Redskins, 4:05 p.m., FOX

Week 3: Sunday, September 23 – at Chicago Bears, 4:05 p.m., FOX

Week 4: Sunday, September 30 – vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 5: Thursday, October 4 – vs. Arizona Cardinals, 8:20 p.m., NFLN

Week 6: Sunday, October 14 – at Miami Dolphins, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 7: Sunday, October 21 – vs. Green Bay Packers, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 8: Sunday, October 28 – vs. New England Patriots, 1:00 p.m., CBS

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: Sunday, November 11 – at San Francisco 49ers, 4:15 p.m., FOX

Week 11: Sunday, November 18 – vs. New York Jets, 1:00 p.m., CBS

Week 12: Sunday, November 25 – at Arizona Cardinals, 4:15 p.m., FOX

Week 13: Sunday, December 2 – vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 14: Sunday, December 9 – at Buffalo Bills, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 15: Sunday, December 16 – vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 16: Sunday, December 23 – at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 17: Sunday, December 30 – at Seattle Seahawks, 4:15 p.m., FOX

Derek Ciapala has been a Rams fan since he was a child and the team was in Los Angeles. His favorite Rams moments include Flipper Anderson’s 336-yard receiving night against the Saints in 1989, and their miracle 1999 run to their first Super Bowl victory. You can follow him on Twitter @dciapala.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers offense lit up the NFL after leading the league in scoring with 560 total points.

And while most are familiar with the contributions of Rodgers and his offensive weapons, it’s easy to overlook the men up front on the offensive line, including the man who snapped Rodgers the ball on every play during every game in 2011.

Center Scott Wells started all 16 games for the Packers last season and was a vital part of an offensive line that produced one of the top offenses in the league. And as a result, Wells was elected to his first Pro Bowl.

On top of that, Wells also started all 16 games during the Packers’ 2010 Super Bowl winning season, and he has started 100 total regular games throughout his eight NFL seasons.

He has been a Packer for his entire career, but next season he’ll be wearing the horns on his helmet and snapping the ball to quarterback Sam Bradford.

As of Friday evening, the St. Louis Rams agreed to terms with Wells. The signing was confirmed by ESPN insider Adam Schefter.

Although the exact details have not been confirmed, it’s been estimated that Wells will make approximately $6 million to $7 million a year.

The Rams had a need for a center ever since cutting Jason Brown earlier in the week. Brown was due $5 million in base salary in 2012, which is likely far too lopsided for a player who has generally underperformed ever since being signed in free agency in 2009.

Not only will Wells be an upgrade over Brown, even at the age of 31, but he’ll also provide third-year passer Sam Bradford with invaluable insight that can only be gained after years of snapping the ball to great quarterbacks such as Rodgers and Brett Favre.

Wells will not only benefit Bradford, but his veteran presence will provide the younger linemen, such as Rodger Saffold and Jason Smith, with the proper leadership necessary for them to succeed.

Wells is only the Rams second signing since the the beginning of free agency on Tuesday (the other was cornerback Cortland Finnegan), but regardless of their slow activity, they are making their dollars count with yet another solid acquisition.

ST. LOUIS (AP) – For now, it’s business as usual for Gregg Williams, who is on the job behind closed doors with the rest of the St. Louis assistant coaches.

The parking lot at the team’s training facility is full this week because there’s plenty to do. Free agency starts next week, and there will be minicamps before and after the draft for the Rams, plus they’re all still getting to know the roster. There’s that No. 2 overall pick to deal with.

It can’t hurt staying busy while waiting for the hammer to fall.

Williams, the Rams’ new defensive coordinator, is facing a possible suspension and fine after admitting that he ran a bounty pool of up to $50,000 over the past three seasons when he was the defensive coordinator in New Orleans. The NFL said players received payoffs for knocking targeted opponents out of the game.

Whether Williams is shelved for two weeks, a month or longer, the Rams must make contingency plans.

Aside from releasing Williams’ apology, the franchise that inherited this scandal has had little to say. Players and coaches are not being made available for interviews.

“Coach Williams has shown contrition for his actions and continues to cooperate with the NFL in this investigation,” Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff said in a statement Thursday to The Associated Press. “Out of respect for the NFL’s ongoing process, we will refrain from commenting until the league has come to a final decision on all aspects of this matter.”

New coach Jeff Fisher was out of town and he isn’t talking, either, until the NFL issues its ruling. Williams met with NFL security officials on Monday as part of the league’s investigation; no timetable has been disclosed by the league for a decision from Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Dick Vermeil, who has 19 years of NFL coaching experience including the Rams’ lone Super Bowl win in 2000, said in a telephone interview that he was unaware of any bounties during his coaching career.

“There were always rumors, but often it seemed like something of a joke, like you’d hear kids were throwing in 50 bucks apiece,” Vermeil said. “Hopefully, this is isolated, hopefully the story doesn’t get bigger as the investigation goes deeper.”

Like many players, Vermeil said he believes Williams’ reputation is solid around the league.

“Sometimes you can get caught up in the enthusiasm and intensity of the game and it overpowers your judgment,” Vermeil said. “But I like him, he’s a good man, and he made a mistake.”

Williams’ punishment could be stiffer given the NFL’s emphasis the last few seasons on reducing concussions – the definition of a knockout.

“That has been a big issue, and now this comes up,” Vermeil said. “I think it almost puts them under pressure to react more strongly when something like this is going on.”

Assistant head coach Dave McGinnis is the logical fill-in candidate at defensive coordinator should Williams be suspended. McGinnis is a former NFL head coach and has an extensive background in defense, including five years as the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator from 1996-2000, and great success coaching linebackers under Fisher in Tennessee.

McGinnis built his reputation in a decade as linebackers coach with the Chicago, working with defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan and tutoring Hall of Famer Mike Singletary.

The St. Louis Rams will play that “home” game in London later this year after settling a lease dispute with the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The deal announced late Tuesday allows the Rams to play the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 28. The lease had required the team to play all home games at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

In exchange, the Rams agreed to increase the number of football season weekends that the dome can be booked for other uses. The team will also pay temporary employees the wages they would have earned by working the game in St. Louis.

The Rams also want to play games in London in 2013 and 2014. No deal has been worked out on those games.

FINLEY STAYS WITH PACKERS: Tight end Jermichael Finley said he has agreed to a new deal with the Green Bay Packers.

Finley posted a message on his Twitter account appearing to confirm reports that he has agreed to return to the team.

Finley wrote, “I could not be happier to have the privilege of being a Packer for the next 2 yrs. Glad to be back with my team & coaches for 1 common goal.”

WARD’S DUI CHARGES DROPPED: Prosecutors have dropped DUI charges against Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward.

DeKalb County, Ga., Prosecutor Sonja N. Brown said that Ward pleaded guilty to reckless driving and was given a year on probation. She said he also was fined $2,000 and must do 80 hours of community service. He also must undergo alcohol evaluation.

The 35-year-old Super Bowl XL MVP was arrested last year after he failed to maintain his lane and hit a curb.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

On Monday, Dec. 26, reports surfaced that St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke is prepared to hire A.J. Smith as the team’s general manager if he is let go by the San Diego Chargers. Smith would replace Billy Devaney in the Rams front office.

I hope this rumor isn’t true. Smith is an accomplished general manager who did an outstanding job building the Chargers from the ground up. However, he also has a huge ego and has failed to reach the Super Bowl despite having one of the NFL’s most talented rosters for the past seven years.

I’m sure some Rams fans would be happy at this point just to reach .500. However, the franchise has had its issues over the years with people in positions of power within the front office. All I need to do is recall the exploits of John Shaw, Jay Zygmunt and Mike Martz. The dysfunction that took place in the Rams front office during their tenure literally ripped apart a championship-caliber team. I don’t want to see a repeat performance, and I think that would happen if the Rams hire A.J. Smith.

Despite building a roster full of Pro Bowl talent, Smith’s inability to get along with people has hurt his football teams. In Feb. 2007, Chargers president Dean Spanos fired one of the best coaches in the NFL, Marty Schottenheimer, because he had a dysfunctional relationship with Smith. The Chargers did this despite finishing their season with a 14-2 record. The team hired the mediocre Norv Turner to take his place, and the Chargers have gone downhill ever since.

In the meantime, Smith has struggled to get along with his own players. He alienated future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson prior to his departure to the New York Jets, and even now Smith has a more combative style than most general managers in professional football.

One of the players Smith has clashed with, Vincent Jackson, told FoxSports.com that he wasn’t certain if the Chargers were “only team that deals with (animosity from the GM) but it’s something that’s been around.”

With Smith’s inability to get along with others, it doesn’t sound like he’s the right person to stabilize the Rams franchise. I firmly believe the team needs to hire an excellent football man as general manager. However, Smith isn’t the man for the job unless we’re willing to live through the dysfunction that will likely come with him.

Derek Ciapala has been a Rams fan since he was a child and the team was in Los Angeles. His favorite Rams moments include Flipper Anderson’s 336-yard receiving night against the Saints in 1989, and their miracle 1999 run to their first Super Bowl victory. You can follow him on Twitter @dciapala.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo is likely to return to Philadelphia to become the Eagles’ defensive coordinator if, as expected, he is fired at the end of the season.

Spagnuolo, an Eagles assistant from 1999-2006, is “all but certain” to replace first-year coordinator Juan Castillo in Philly as Rams owner Stan Kroenke clears the deck in St. Louis, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Spagnuolo left Philadelphia to become the Giants defensive coordinator.

The 52-year-old’s reputation boomed after helping to mastermind the Giants’ shock victory over the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, has led St. Louis to only 10 wins in his first three seasons as a head coach.

The same report suggests Kroenke will also fire general manager Billy Devaney and move for A.J. Smith, should the Chargers GM be fired by San Diego along with head coach Norv Turner.

But the newspaper quoted league and agent sources as saying Smith will end his association with Turner to instead hire ESPN analyst Jon Gruden as his head coach should he be hired as Rams general manager.

Sources said that Gruden, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders head coach, plans to return to the NFL next year despite signing an exclusive five-year contract with the sports network in October, which is scheduled to begin in September 2012.

On Monday, Dec. 26, St. Louis Rams cornerback Justin King was ruled out of the team’s season finale at home against the San Francisco 49ers. King is the fourth Rams cornerback lost to a season-ending injury.

King didn’t fly back to St. Louis with the rest of the team after the Rams’ 27-0 loss at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Instead, he is being examined in Pittsburgh. It’s possible King’s shoulder could require surgery.

King’s physical style of play has kept him on the trainer’s table throughout the season, but losing him for the season’s final game is just another reminder of how awful 2011 has been for the Rams. There are plenty of teams dealing with injuries in the NFL right now, but few of them have had the problems St. Louis has dealt with. It’s getting old watching the Rams struggle to stay healthy. They did a reasonable job of it in 2010, but 2009 was another living nightmare. Actually, besides the 2010 season, I can’t remember another year when the team managed to stay relatively injury-free. The Rams are definitely a snake-bitten franchise.

I think the worst part of King’s injury is that members of the front office won’t be able to get an accurate evaluation of him for next season. This is also true for other injured members of the club. How is the team supposed to get a solid assessment of Jason Smith’s progress (or lack thereof) on the football field when he keeps getting hurt? Right now, Smith is probably viewed as a draft bust.

Ron Bartell also has a contract option coming up, but he’s missed the entire season. Do the Rams keep him for the final year of his deal, or do they let him go? It’s a tough decision because Bartell was the team’s number one receiver entering 2011, but now we don’t know if he’ll still be the same player when the league kicks off in 2012.

King’s injury is just a reminder of how much work the Rams front office has to do in the offseason to evaluate the roster. With so many players on the team out of action, the Rams are at a disadvantage heading into 2012. Hopefully, the evaluations have already begun. The club needs to take advantage of every second it has available.

Derek Ciapala has been a Rams fan since he was a child and the team was in Los Angeles. His favorite Rams moments include Flipper Anderson’s 336-yard receiving night against the Saints in 1989, and their miracle 1999 run to their first Super Bowl victory. You can follow him on Twitter @dciapala.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

On Friday, Dec. 23, ESPN’s Adam Shefter reported that Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is a game-time decision for Saturday’s game against the St. Louis Rams. If Roethlisberger is unable to go, then backup Charlie Batch would likely get the start.

Some of my fellow Rams fans might think I’m crazy, but I hope Big Ben plays. The Rams pass rush has been one of the few bright spots on the team this season, and I can’t wait to see the unit go after the Steelers’ wounded offensive line.

The only chance the Rams have of winning this game is if they can force Roethlisberger into turning the ball over. The Rams will have defensive ends Chris Long and Robert Quinn going after Roethlisberger early and often, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the team blitz even more than it has already this season.

I think the Steelers will be tempted to throw more if Roethlisberger plays. With Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown lining up opposite of the Rams’ makeshift secondary, I can see Roethlisberger standing in the pocket trying to get the ball downfield. That’s where the Rams have a chance to cause Pittsburgh some problems. It’s a risky strategy, but it’s the only hope the Rams have against the mighty Steelers.

In reality, I fully expect the Steelers to come out and run the ball at the Rams regardless of who starts at quarterback. It’s no secret that the Rams have the worst rush defense in the NFL. Even though Rashard Mendenhall has struggled at times this season, the Steelers should be able to open up some holes for him. In fact, if the Steelers are determined enough, I think Mendenhall could easily run for 150 yards on the Rams.

However, if Roethlisberger plays, I think the Steelers might be aggressive enough for the Rams to take advantage of the situation. I know it’s strange for me to say that, but if Roethlisberger is as immobile as he looked against the 49ers, then the Rams have enough talent on the defensive line to cause some problems. I know this is wishful thinking, but at this point in a 2-12 season, that’s all I have.

The smart thing for the Steelers to do would be to have Roethlisberger rest his sprained ankle, but who knows if that will happen. I guess I’ll find out on Saturday.

Derek Ciapala has been a Rams fan since he was a child and the team was in Los Angeles. His favorite Rams moments include Flipper Anderson’s 336-yard receiving night against the Saints in 1989, and their miracle 1999 run to their first Super Bowl victory. You can follow him on Twitter @dciapala.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.