Don Pierson

It's a race in the NFC West to see which team play better-than-average defense first. That's all it would take to win the division, really. The Rams ranked 23d in defense last year, but second only to the Seahawks, three-time division winner and favorite again this year.

The Seahawks had just the 19th-ranked defense, yet good enough to win a division that focuses on offense. That's good news for the Rams, because their offense was the division's strongest. It ranked sixth, far ahead of any other offense or defense among the four teams. It also ranked ahead of the Seahawks' seventh-rated special teams.

So like the world champion Colts, the Rams are planning to ride their offensive strength and hope to improve their defense just enough to make the difference. To that end, they are counting mightily on their No. 1 draft choice, defensive lineman Adam Carriker, to make the switch from end to tackle in an all-out effort to improve their weakest area, run defense. It's a lot to put on a rookie, but the Rams believe in Carriker.

Carriker isn't the only addition to defensive coordinator Jim Haslett's unit. The Rams traded for Detroit defensive end James Hall and signed Carolina linebacker Chris Draft, Chicago safety Todd Johnson, Washington cornerback Mike Rumpf and Kansas City cornerback Lenny Walls. They also spent third, fifth and seventh-round draft picks on defensive players-cornerback Jonathan Wade and defensive tackles Clifton Ryan and Keith Jackson. Cornerback help is crucial now that starter Fakhir Brown has been suspended for four games. Ron Bartell is a leading candidate to replace him.

They cut ties with defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, a former No. 1 pick, and released Jason Fisk. They also are dealing with bad news from second-year defensive lineman Claude Wroten, who has some legal entanglements. But the outlook is positive. Frankly, it couldn't get much worse than last season.

The Rams think surrounding Will Witherspoon at linebacker Draft and a healthy Pisa Tinoisamoa will help. If the undersized but active Witherspoon gets help from Carriker and his defensive tackle cohorts, he could develop into a force.

After giving up 24 points a game, coach Scott Linehan is also trying to protect himself by figuring out how his offense can score more than 23. So he added two productive receivers to a group that already has one of the NFL's most potent receiving tandem in Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce.

In signing Tennessee's top receiver, Drew Bennett, the Rams get something they didn't have in departed slot receiver Kevin Curtis. Bennett is tall and will give quarterback Marc Bulger the kind of red zone target he's never had. Adding Miami's pass-catching tight end, Randy McMichael, also adds a dimension the Rams didn't exploit last year when rookie tight end Joe Klopfenstein caught only 20 passes, one for a touchdown. In Miami, where Linehan once coached the offense, McMichael caught 62 passes last year, three for touchdowns.

Assuming All-Pro left tackle Orlando Pace and center Andy McCollum return healthy from injured reserve and the Rams can leave right guard Richie Incognito where he belongs instead of switching him from center to left guard, the offense should thrive.

Hot seat
A rookie should never be on the hot seat, but if Carriker delivers, the Rams could jump to the head of the division. After failing with former No. 1 draft picks Damione Lewis, Ryan Pickett and Jimmy Kennedy at the position, the Rams are desperate for help at defensive tackle and Carriker didn't even play the position at Nebraska. Tim Sandidge is a second-year free agent who played well in NFL-Europa before hurting a knee. A projected trade by the Rams for Carolina defensive tackle Kris Jenkins also remains a possibility.

Overheard
Running back Steven Jackson was so good last year the Rams barely missed Marshall Faulk, which is saying a lot. It's also assuming a lot to think Jackson can duplicate last year's effort after rushing an NFC-high 346 times for 1,528 yards. By also catching 90 passes, league high for a running back, Jackson established himself as one of the all-time workhorses. His 436 touches fell just six short of Eric Dickerson's franchise record. The Rams let Stephen Davis carry only 40 times and added Miami's Travis Minor this year, but Jackson will again get the bulk of the work and must hold up for the Rams to be effective.

Outlook
This is already an impressive offense with an excellent quarterback and an outstanding running back. The defense expects to improve and the special teams, which weren't good, added punter Donnie Jones and return man Dante Hall plus rookie prospect Derek Stanley. If Seattle falters, the Rams have to be first in line to pick up the slack.

Prediction
Second.

NFL training camp previews Click for the latest on your favorite teams (teams listed in predicted order of finish) AFC EAST Patriots Jets Dolphins Bills NFC EAST Eagles Cowboys Redskins Giants AFC NORTH Ravens Steelers Bengals Browns NFC NORTH Bears Packers Lions Vikings AFC SOUTH Colts Jaguars Titans Texans NFC SOUTH Saints Panthers Bucs Falcons AFC WEST Chargers Broncos Chiefs Raiders NFC WEST Seahawks Rams 49ers Cardinals