What is the biggest problem with the Rams?

Joe Theismann

I think the Rams think they are better than they are. The Rams are a big-play team, but nobody is willing to give them big plays anymore. So they have to change their philosophy and almost become like the Oakland Raiders. They have to become a crossing, short-passing route football team that has to protect the football. Kurt Warner also has to do a better job of playing the position. In the last three games, including the Super Bowl, he has thrown five interceptions and only two touchdown passes.

Mike Golic

The pass defense. Opponents are completing 75 percent of passes against them. Defensive coordinator Lovie Smith came with his "Cover 2" scheme, which the Rams played well last year. But teams are finding matchups, like when the Giants had tight end Jeremy Shockey matched up on linebacker Tommy Polley. Receivers are finding holes in the Rams' zone. And then there is the running attack. Marshall Faulk has only run 22 times in two games. Even though they like to use the pass to set up the run, the Rams usually have a heavy dose of Faulk running the ball. And that hasn't happened.

Mark Malone

It's a combination of things. They did not approach the preseason in a manner that would allow them to prepare themselves to start quickly, and I think it shows. In addition, I think Mike Martz's ego gets in the way. The Rams want to throw the ball, yet Marshall Faulk only has 22 carries in two games. That is just not enough. Plus, people have started to understand how to play their offense. Because they have a talented football team, I still expect them to win the NFC West.

Mark Schlereth

The Rams like to protect with five offensive linemen and want to send five receivers on pass patterns. They want to beat teams with speed and athletic ability. But because their offensive line has changed and is struggling, they have to keep extra players in at times for protection, like Marshall Faulk and tight end Ernie Conwell. The Rams have also gotten away from running the ball, for whatever reason. When Faulk rushes around 20 times a game, the Rams they are close to perfect. But he has only carried the ball 22 times in two games. They have to reestablish who they are and forget about trying to win games the way they used to win them. Times change, and the Rams need to change too. Otherwise, they will continue to struggle.

Andrea Kremer

Their skill people, including Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk, are not playing to the level they have played in the past. Their offensive line is unsettled. Nobody looks comfortable. Az-Zahir Hakim dropped a lot of passes and is now in Detroit, but the Rams have yet to fill the third receiver role, someone who can streak out of the slot position. Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt are taking a lot of punishment. The defense is yet to gel. Even though they have scored so many points the last three years, the Rams have to be questioning their confidence a bit. I also wonder if Mike Martz closing practice has made the players tighter because it has gotten them out of their routine.

Merril Hoge

Every team needs a staple. But theirs -- the passing game -- is dysfunctional right now. They have no rhythm offensively. The league always finds a way to break down a giant, and teams are breaking the Rams timing and hitting their receivers in the five-yard area, like the Patriots did. Their offensive line is struggling and breaking down in pass protection. Defensively, teams are coming at them. And because they are trying to stop the run, the Rams are losing matchups in the passing game.

Sean Salisbury

The Rams are out of rhythm. Kurt Warner didn't forget how to throw it. Marshall Faulk didn't forget how to run it. Mike Martz didn't forget how to coach it. Their passing game is just missing. Warner is getting hit too much. Their running game hasn't gotten started. They are not making the big plays like they have the last three yearrs. They are just missing tackles. The Rams look like they are still playing in the preseason. They have issues, but I don't expect them to last. Once they get it right, they will be explosive again. And they still have the best personnel in the NFL.