By John Sarianides

We start our NFL previews today with the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams decided to go young this off-season. Real young. They hired 31 year old Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay as head coach. McVay comes from a football family. He is the grandson of former NFL executive John McVay. 

It is all about growing up together for the Rams. McVay was hired to develop second year quarterback Jared Goff. Goff struggled mightily in his rookie season and many questioned if he was actually the quarterback of the future for the Rams. McVay has said that Goff has improved but he is not guaranteeing that Goff will be his starting quarterback. Either way, Goff is the front runner and he is expected to be the starter.

The Rams need to get running back Todd Gurley back on track. He was a monumental disappointment last season. Gurley and wide receiver Tavon Austin will be the centerpieces of the Rams offense. 

An improved offensive line led by veteran acquisitions Andrew Whitworth and John Sullivan should give the Rams young skill group a chance to flourish. 

The Rams have played terrific defense in recent years under former coordinator Gregg Williams. Williams is gone and another veteran coordinator replaces him. Wade Phillips will bring his version of the 3-4 defense to L.A. The Rams have talented pieces in place in defensive tackle Aaron Donald,  outside linebacker Alec Ogletree and cornerback Trumaine Johnson. All three will thrive in the veteran coordinator’s scheme. 

Here are three keys for the Rams in 2017. 

1. Goff Must Take the Next Step: Goff needs to take a major step forward this season in his development. The Rams invested a lot of future capital to acquire him last off-season. He must improve this season and prove he can lead the Rams offense. The system will be in place for Goff to succeed. 

2. Adjust to the 3-4: On paper, the Rams are better suited to run the 4-3 defense. The roster composition is more geared to running that defense. It will take Phillips and the Rams defensive staff time to figure out what guys they want to move where. The afore mentioned Donald, Ogletree and Johnson can play in either scheme and still produce. 

3. Coaching: McVay will experience growing pains as a young, first time head coach. That is why surrounding himself with veteran coaches was crucial for his long term success. Hiring a veteran coordinator like Phillips was crucial in McVay’s development. He can focus on developing Goff and the offense and not worry about the defense. 

In the End: The Rams will improve under McVay but expect some growing pains in what will be another rebuilding year in Los Angeles. The Rams are not too far away. One good off-season and they are a playoff team.