Jul 30th 2008 12:52PM by Tom Mantzouranis (author feed)
Filed under: Rams, NFC West Although the Rams had to go through the season while missing 1,348 various offensive linemen because of injury, the one malady that cast the biggest cloud over the entire season was Orlando Pace’s. In the very first game of the season, after recovering from a triceps injury the year before, many bad things happened in his shoulder and that was that for the 2008 season.

The team’s offense couldn’t get going after that. Marc Bulger suffered terrible pressure and missed time with injury. Ditto for Steven Jackson. Apparently, Pace’s absence lingered into the locker room, as well. But that has changed with Pace, one of the best tackles ever, healthy and in camp again. The team has been encouraged to see their legend back, and Torry Holt noted the comfort and stability he brings to Bulger and the rest of the offense.

But Pace himself notes that, while he’s healthy now, “you never know until you take that one shot.” And that’s really what it comes down to. It’s great that Pace is healthy now, but he’s 32 and has missed 23 games in the last two seasons. How long can he stay healthy? And if he can stay healthy, how long before his skills begin to diminish?

I really thought the Rams should have gotten a serious contingency plan in the draft this year and they didn’t. And so the offense rests all of its hopes again on Pace. We’ll see how that works out for them.