The Rams Are Doing Anything to Ensure '08 Isn't '07 All Over Again - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

Last year the Rams' injury situation went from unfortunate to bad to debilitating to absurd, so much so that I stopped calling them the Rams and started calling Murphy's Law. It was bad. Sure, talent issues played their part in the team's disappointing season, but the injuries were brutal.

So if it's a trend, you have to examine the source, which transcends bad luck. The Rams believe they've got a new formula in place to combat the threat of injuries.

Some time this spring, the Rams plan to install a sand pit at the edge of their outdoor practice fields. "One of the concerns is the high ankle sprains," Linehan said. "So we're going to start doing some (sand drills)."

The sand pit "might be about 40 yards long," Linehan said. "You can sprint in it, but you can also get groups in it and do some stationary stuff and work on (strengthening) the ankles."

The sand pit approach is just one of a few bells and whistles the Rams are installing in their offseason conditioning program to help better prevent injury. Also included will be a core specialist and a supplemental lifting program to offset shoulder injuries.

Whether due to the new approach or just the fact that, you know, it can't get any worse, I expect the Rams to be healthier in 2008. Whether that'll lead to a better season remains to be seen, but it's nice to at least see Scott Linehan taking a proactive stance.