Two-a-Days: Previewing the St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

To help pass the time between now and the start of the 2011 NFL season I am going to take a look at two teams a day. I will give you the impact players on offense and defense, a breakout player, and the biggest training camp question.

Offense
QB - Sam Bradford
RB - Steven Jackson
RB - Cadillac Williams (acquired in free agency)
WR - Mike Sims-Walker (acquired in free agency)
TE - Lance Kendricks (rookie)

Defense
DE - Chris Long
MLB - James Laurinaitis
OLB - Zac Diles (acquired in free agency)
OLB - Na'ill Diggs
S - Quinten Mikell (acquired in free agency)

Breakout: Chris Long - The son of Howie has not lived up to the first round selection quite yet, but with a few more play makers on defense with him opposing coaches cannot just plan to stop this guy. Long's motor and hard work all play off this season as he flirts with double digit sacks.

Biggest training camp question: Is the addition of Mike Sims-Walker from Jacksonville and drafting a rookie pass catching tight end in the second round enough weapons to help Sam Bradford and the Rams win the NFC West? Steven Jackson has always been keyed on and this year they might have enough air presence to make stopping the run more difficult.

Last year's record: 7-9

Projected finish: 10-6 (1st in NFC West)

Offense
QB - Josh Freeman
RB - LaGarrette Blount
RB - Earnest Graham
WR - Mike Williams
TE - Kellen Winslow Jr.

Defense
DT - Gerald McCoy
DE - Adrian Clayborn (rookie)
DE - Da'Quan Bowers (rookie)
CB - Aqib Talib
CB - Ronde Barber

Breakout: Mike Williams - A few immature acts dropped the wide out from Syracuse into the fourth round and fortunately for the Bucs they were able to snatch this guy up. Williams had a strong rookie campaign and as he matures along with Josh Freeman, these could become one of the best combos for years to come.

Biggest training camp question: I think it's easier to have little expectations for a season and then come out and wow everybody. It will be interesting to see how the Bucs respond to the pressure that sits on their shoulders. Freeman is loved around the NFL and the additions and breakouts around him make this a sleeper team for 2011 - if they can handle the pressure.

Last year's record: 10-6

Projected finish: 10-6 (2nd in the NFC South)

** Check back tomorrow for a look at the Titans and Redskins