2002 RECORD: 7-9 TEAM RANK (NFL): Defense (13th); Offense (13th) ADDITIONS: Free agents -- S Jason Sehorn (Giants), C Dave Wohlabaugh (Browns), P Sean Landeta (Eagles), TE Cam Cleeland (Patriots) Draft picks -- 1. DT Jimmy Kennedy (Penn State); 2. OLB Pisa Tinoisamoa (Hawaii); 3. WR Kevin Curtis (Utah State); 4a. WR Shaun McDonald (Arizona State); 4b. CB DeJuan Groce (Nebraska); 5a. TE Dan Curley (Eastern Washington); 5b. CB Shane Walton (Notre Dame); 5c. CB Kevin Garrett (SMU); 6. OG Scott Tercero (California); 7a. OLB Scott Shanle (Nebraska); 7b. TE Richard Angulo (Western New Mexico). SUBTRACTIONS: QB Jamie Martin (released), CB Dexter McCleon (Chiefs), FB James Hodgins (Cardinals), CB Dré Bly (Lions), P Mitch Berger (Saints), G Tom Nutten (Jets), WR Ricky Proehl (Panthers), FB Chris Hetherington (Raiders), OG Heath Irwin (Broncos), DT Jeff Zgonina (Dolphins). Team news | Roster | More on Rams draft

		Wed., May 21 What do you expect from Kurt Warner in the upcoming season? Their denials aside, we're still among the doubters who don't buy into it when Warner and coach Mike Martz adamantly insist there was nothing wrong with the QB's arm in 2002. Long before his hand injuries, even in pregame warmups, there were some occasions when Warner simply had no juice on the ball. He doesn't throw the deep ball with the same accuracy he had a few years ago, balls wobble way too much on him now, and his velocity seems to have waned. Defensive backs get too good a jump on passes and there are those whispers that he doesn't like getting hit very much. Then again, it's difficult to so easily dismiss a two-time league Most Valuable Player, and probably too early to write off a guy who was so uncannily accurate only three years ago. If the St. Louis brass can figure out a way to get Orlando Pace into camp, the Rams will have one of the premier tackle duos in the NFL, with the acquisition of Kyle Turley. And, frankly, the line should be better in general across the board. Warner needs to stay perpendicular for a change, to avoid the injuries that have haunted him, and to hope Martz can develop a No. 3 wide receiver to run all the underneath stuff at which Az-Zahir Hakim was once so adept. If all those things happen, Warner could return to form, but we're reserving judgment.

Injuries to the Rams superstars Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk were two big reasons why St. Louis missed the playoffs for the first time since 1998. But coach Mike Martz is optimistic that Warner will return to his MVP form.

Although he's been bothered by hand injuries in the last three seasons, Warner threw crisply in a mid-May minicamp and is the team's No. 1 quarterback heading into training camp. Faulk, who started a career-low 10 games last season, is recovering from ankle injuries that limited his production. Although a 7-9 finish disappointed many fans, a healthy Warner and Faulk can turn fortunes around quickly.

What they've added?
Acquiring right tackle Kyle Turley from the Saints for a 2004 second-round choice gives the Rams one of the NFL's most talented offensive lines, assuming designated franchise player Orlando Pace returns. Turley replaces the unproductive John St. Clair. The Rams signed free-agent center Dave Wohlabaugh, who will play alongside Adam Timmerman and Andy McCollum. The Rams also signed Cam Cleeland to help replace the departed Ernie Conwell at tight end. At wide receiver, third-round draft pick Kevin Curtis and fourth-rounder Shaun McDonald offer great speed, but they have Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Troy Edwards and Terrence Wilkins in front of them.

Defensively, Jason Sehorn, who was released by the New York Giants, was added to compete at free safety with Kim Herring, who may be released. Once considered one of the NFL's top cornerbacks, Sehorn has battled injuries the past few seasons. He's hoping to return to health after having microfracture surgery on his right knee in January 2002. The Rams also elected to re-sign Aeneas Williams over Dre' Bly. Williams is expected to start after breaking his leg last October. Second-year pros Travis Fisher and James Whitley will compete for the other cornerback spot.

After finishing as the league's No. 2 rush defense in 2001, the Rams regressed, placing No. 14 against the run last year. Although they were projected to take a linebacker or defensive back with the No. 12 pick, the Rams chose defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy. He gives the Rams great interior depth, joining Ryan Pickett and Damione Lewis. The second-round pick was linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, who will compete for a starting job.

Rookie cornerbacks DeJuan Groce, Shane Walton and Kevin Garrett will compete at nickel back. Finally, punter Mitch Berger was replaced by Sean Landeta.

Martz also added four new assistant coaches, with offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Steve Fairchild potentially making the biggest impact. He's in line to eventually take over some of Martz's play-calling responsibilities.

Fantasy Focus

When Kurt Warner has played a full season, he's produced staggering stats. In his five-year career, he's played 16 games only twice. He passed for 4,353 yards and 41 TDs in 1999 and 4,830 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2001 to win the league MVP award both seasons. However, hand injuries have been his downfall. Last season, Warner broke the pinkie finger in his throwing hand for the second time in three seasons and also fractured his throwing hand, causing him to miss nine games. In a mid-May minicamp, coach Mike Martz said Warner has recovered from his hand injuries and has nearly regained his top form. Surrounded by a top offensive line, strong receivers and an elite back, a healthy Warner is a top-10 fantasy quarterback. It's not a stretch to take him after the elite running quarterbacks of Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper. -- Roger Rotter, ESPN.com Fantasy editor

What they're missing?
The Rams missed star middle linebacker London Fletcher, who left for Buffalo last season. Current starters Jamie Duncan, Robert Thomas and Tommy Polley comprised the defense's weakest area and will need to improve. The Rams are taking a risk by depending on Williams to recover fully and for their young cornerbacks to learn fast. Running back Trung Canidate was traded to the Washington Redskins after being plagued by inconsistency and fumbles. This makes second-year pro Lamar Gordon the backup to Faulk. The departure of receiver Ricky Proehl means the Rams will need to find a new holder on field goals and extra points. The Rams are hoping Curtis or McDonald can replace Proehl as the fourth receiver as Wilkins couldn't handle the receiving responsibilities last season. The Rams will miss fullback James Hodgins and have yet to replace him.

Pace missed the May minicamp because he's in a contract dispute. He was designated the team's franchise player, but Pace wants more money than is being offered. His agent has demanded a trade if the Rams don't meet his demands. If Pace sits out, that means inexperienced backup Grant Williams will likely take his place. Holt threatened to sit out minicamp after looking for a contract extension with one year remaining on his five-year deal.

What it all means?
The Rams have only 10 players remaining from their '99 Super Bowl season. Martz will need to fix the Rams' questionable team chemistry, assembling the offense and defense better than he did last season. But a healthy Warner and Faulk can make Martz look like a genius again. If the Rams' high-powered offense becomes rejuvenated, expect a strong push in the playoffs.

Roger Rotter is a fantasy games editor for ESPN.com.