NFL fans know alot about the St. Louis Rams, the team playing its games in the NFC West Division. They know that the Rams were once a real West Coast team , a squad that built its history, and its legend, playing games as the home team in Los Angeles.

Some years ago, however, team ownership made the decision to pick up, lock, stock and barrel, and move halfway across the country, to St. Louis. Was it a strange move , perhaps? Los Angeles is, of course, home to Hollywood and all the glitz that goes with it. St. Louis is … well, Midwestern. In fact, the city has often been called “the gateway to the west.”

While playing in Los Angeles, the Rams were “top dogs” more often than not - winners. As is often the case with most big city professional sports franchises, the Rams management worked hard to put a great team on the field. And, for the most part, they succeeded.

Things have gone much less smoothly for the Rams since they packed the trucks and moved east. While still playing in the so-so NFC West Division, they no longer dominate vs their competition. In fact, this squad has been mostly mediocre … and another NFC West team has surged ahead of everybody else - the Arizona Cardinals. All fans know that the Cardinals played in last season’s Super Bowl. But, only the most rabid NFL fans who don’t live in St. Louis know that happened to the Rams. In a word: nothing.

In 2008-2009, the Rams were terrible, a true “second division” club that was mostly easy pickings for opponents. Clearly, the Rams have fallen on hard times. While the recent past has been mostly dismal for the Rams, what does the future hold in store for them?

The fact is that St. Louis is a rebuilding team, replacing “old parts” with new, younger models. Results from these changes will probably not happen overnight. It takes time to rebuild in the NFL. Moreover, until new players perform on the field, no one knows if they will provide the improvement needed.
So, what can fans expect in the 2009-2010 Season? The best answer to that question is: wait and see. That’s because teams in transition can go either way. They can become good quickly … or the rebuilding process can inch along slowly until it finally takes root.

If you’re a fan of the Rams, try to cut them some slack. Give them a chance to get better … be patient. If you like to bet and are looking “for an edge,” consider this: rebuilding teams, if properly focused and motivated, are often live underdogs. The Rams may not win a lot of games in the upcoming season, but they will sure have a chance to “cover the spread” and help you cash a winning bet. You can’t ask for anything more than that.