QUARTERBACKS: Starter -- Marc Bulger. Backups -- Trent Green, Bruce Gradkowski, Brock Berlin.

One of the biggest goals for the Rams this season is to get Bulger back on track after a 2007 season that tested him physically and mentally. The arrival of Al Saunders as offensive coordinator is expected to rejuvenate Bulger, while having Green as a mentor should also help when things get tough. Still, how Bulger performs will depend largely on how well he's protected by the offensive line and whether some of the team's young receivers step up. Green's leadership is evident on a daily basis, but questions remain about his health after he suffered serious concussions each of the last two seasons. Gradkowski has some experience after starting 11 games as a rookie for Tampa Bay in 2006, and that could give him an edge over Berlin for the No. 3 job. However, Gradkowski didn't arrive until mid-June, so a big question will be how quickly he becomes comfortable with Saunders' offense and his new receivers.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter -- Steven Jackson. Backups -- Antonio Pittman, Brian Leonard, Travis Minor, Lance Ball, FB Richard Owens, FB Russ Weil.

Jackson is refraining from publicly setting any personal goals this season after he fell far short of the 2,500 combined yards he hoped for last season. He had 2,334 yards in 2006, most in the NFL, but a combination of injuries and a struggling offense curtailed his production last season. He had some offseason issues with his ankle and groin, but it is not expected to slow him when training camp opens. It seems unlikely that he will have a new contract when camp opens, so Jackson will have the added motivation of playing for a new contract. Pittman, picked up by the Rams at the start of last season after being cut by the Saints, was said to be one of the team's most improved players in the offseason. The question is whether he can be a legitimate replacement if Jackson has to miss any time. Leonard will be a hybrid tailback and fullback, but he is not the banger needed as a blocker in short-yardage situations. Minor will again try to earn a roster spot on the strength of his special teams play. Ball could be an interesting prospect, but it will take a great summer to earn a job on the roster. Owens has to prove he can block in his combination fullback/tight end role, but it remains to be seen whether it will happen. Weil is a long shot, but has a chance if he can show he can block.

TIGHT ENDS: Starters -- Steve McMichael, Anthony Becht. Backups -- Joe Klopfenstein, Dedrick Harrington, Nick Cleaver.

McMichael was under-utilized as a receiver last season, mostly because he was needed so often to help in pass protection. The addition of Becht, along with the expectation that the offensive line won't be decimated as it was last season, should lead to more productivity from McMichael. Becht's blocking should help both the running and passing game, and he is also a decent receiver. This is a key season for Klopfenstein, who struggled in his second year, but who showed excellent progress in the offseason. Harrington is a converted linebacker that has a tough road in front of him, while Cleaver has the ability to surprise, although the depth at the position will make it difficult.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Torry Holt, Drew Bennett. Backups -- Donnie Avery, Dante Hall, Dane Looker, Keenan Burton, Reche Caldwell, Derek Stanley, Marques Hagans, Brandon Williams, Eric Fowler, Shaine Smith, Matt Caddell.

Holt lost his bookend receiver after the release of Isaac Bruce, but is still being counted on to be productive and lead a group that should provide some interesting camp competition for roster spots. Bennett is the presumptive starter after a disappointing 2007 season, thus he has some things to prove to the naysayers. Several other spots are up for grabs on a unit where only six will make the opening-day roster. Avery and Burton are speedy rookies, and coaches hope one or both will come out of the gate and open things up for the offense. Hall's strength is as a kick returner, but injuries doomed his 2007 season and he might end up returning only punts if he makes the roster. Stanley showed some kickoff return ability late last season and will be watched closely. Looker has always been a gamer, but he will have to make the team solely as a receiver this season because he won't be the holder for the kicker anymore. Caldwell brings experience to the group, but will be in a fight to hold off the youngsters. Hagans was a standout in the 2007 preseason and made the roster, but seemed to regress during the year. The competition could cost him a job this time.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Starters -- LT Orlando Pace, LG Jacob Bell, C Richie Incognito, RG Mark Setterstrom, RT Alex Barron. Backups -- T/G Adam Goldberg, T John Greco, T Brandon Gorin, G Roy Schuening, C Brett Romberg, C/G Dustin Fry, C/G Nick Leckey, T Rob Petitti, T Mark LeVoir, C Dominic Raiola, T Stephen Sene.

There will be many eyes on Pace all summer and for good reason. He has played a total of just 11 games the last two seasons, and the injury he suffered in the season opener last season had a deflating effect on the entire team. Healthy, he can be the linchpin for the offense. If he isn't, depth will once again be an issue. Bell was a solid free-agent addition from Tennessee, while Barron needs to show just how talented he really is. After an early offseason move to center from left guard, Setterstrom was switched to right guard late in the OTAs with Incognito going back to center, where he started 12 games in 2006. Incognito will battle Romberg for the starting job in camp, but it would be a surprise if Romberg won. There are some depth issues, especially at tackle, where Gorin, Goldberg and possibly Greco are the top backups. Greco, a third-round pick, will eventually be a guard. Gorin should be helped by being with the team throughout the offseason after being signed last September. Schuening, a fifth-round pick this year, should make the roster if 10 linemen are retained. That would squeeze out Fry and Leckey.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Starters -- LE Leonard Little, T La'Roi Glover, NT Adam Carriker, RE Chris Long. Backups -- E Victor Adeyanju, E James Hall, E Eric Moore, NT Clifton Ryan, T Claude Wroten, E C.J. Ah You, T Vernon Bryant, T Josh Thompson, T Willie Williams.

Like Pace on offense, Little will be the key to the defense's improved production. Playing on a bad toe, he had just one sack in 2007 before being placed on injured reserve and undergoing surgery. He was running well in the offseason, and if he can return to being a feared pass rusher, the whole defense will be better. The rookie Long will also be counted on to make an instant impact as a pass rusher and run defender. Hall should be a solid situational pass rusher, while Adeyanju is primed fort a breakout season. It will be tough for Moore to make the roster. The ageless Glover contributed 6.0 sacks last season, largely because he didn't have to play too many snaps. The rotation at tackle appears formidable, although what is needed is significant improvement from the under-achieving Wroten. Carriker will continue to be used in a variety of ways, starting as a nose tackle, then moving to the other tackle spot in the rotation when Ryan is on the nose. Ryan started strong as a rookie last season, but faded somewhat at the end of the season. He should be ready to handle the rigors of a 16-game schedule this year.

LINEBACKERS: WLB Pisa Tinoisamoa, MLB Will Witherspoon, SLB Chris Draft. Backups -- SLB Quinton Culberson, MLB Tim McGarigle, OLB Chris Chamberlain, OLB David Vobora, MLB Marc Magro, OLB Vince Hall.

Witherspoon played at a Pro Bowl level last season, leading the team in sacks with 7.0 and tackles with 132. He was used more as a pass rusher after Little was injured, and it is hoped he won't be needed as much this season. His ability to go sideline to sideline is just what coordinator Jim Haslett wants in his middle linebacker. Most important to the defense is whether Tinoisamoa can stay on the field. He played just nine games last season and 11 the year before, many most of the 2006 games played despite a shoulder injury that affected his tackling. Coaches like the potential of Culberson, but the experience of Draft will likely make him the starter on the strong side, replacing Brandon Chillar, who left in free agency for Green Bay. Even with Draft starting, they want to find a way for Culberson to get some snaps. Competition for backup spots will largely depend on special teams play. A pair of seventh-round rookies, Chamberlain and Vobora, have solid shots at winning a roster spot. If they do, McGarigle end up searching for a job. Hall is an interesting talent, but he is still feeling the effects of a knee injury suffered late in his final college season.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: CB Fakhir Brown, CB Tye Hill, FS Oshiomogho Atogwe, SS Corey Chavous. Backups -- CB Ron Bartell, CB David Macklin, CB Jonathan Wade, CB Justin King, S Todd Johnson, S Eric Bassey, S Jerome Carter, CB Darius Vinnett, CB Justin McKinney.

Last season, the Rams were 3-3 when the four secondary starters above were on the field together. When they weren't, the record was 0-10. Brown is an underrated player that needs to avoid the league's substance abuse program. Hill missed eight games last season, and is coming back from difficult wrist surgery. Atogwe led the NFC with eight interceptions in 2007, and should continue to ascend. Chavous misses key tackles at times, but doesn't receive enough credit for his generally steady play and the leadership he exerts off the field with the team's young defensive backs. Depth is suspect. Bartell is a good swing defender, while Macklin has experience. Wade needs to make a move this season, and the rookie King needs to show what he can do. Johnson is very good on special teams, but can be exposed if he has to play too much in the secondary. Bassey was moved from cornerback, so it's unknown what he will do. Carter has been a big disappointment since being a fourth-round pick in 2005.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Josh Brown, P Donnie Jones, LS Chris Massey, KR
Dante Hall, KR Donnie Avery, K Justin Medlock, P Sean Douglas.

This could be one of the best kicking game combinations in the league, with Brown, Jones and Massey. Brown replaces Jeff Wilkins, who retired, and in addition to excellent field-goal efforts should improve field position with his consistent kickoffs. The return game will feature some noteworthy summer competition. Hall will be 30 in September and missed nine games last season. Avery showed some spark as a kickoff returner in offseason workouts, while Stanley did the same late last season, averaging 25.5 yards on 20 returns. If someone else can return punts, it's not out of the question that Hall's roster spot could be in jeopardy.

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