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Ultimate Standings: Rams are second-to-last overall

Despite seeing the Rams improve to 3-1, Jeff Fisher said his team "has a lot of room for improvement." Christian Petersen/Getty Images

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Los Angeles Rams

Overall: 121
Title track: 58
Ownership: 121
Coaching: 109
Players: 106
Fan relations: 121
Affordability: 97
Stadium experience: 120
Bang for the buck: 74
Change from last year: -13

The Rams' move from St. Louis back to Los Angeles doubled their value, but it didn't necessarily make them more popular. At least, not yet. They return to the West Coast as the Ultimate Standing's second-worst franchise, down another 13 spots even after a poor showing last year. But they have greater revenue streams, a young roster and the prospects of a new stadium, so they are ever-hopeful of a better day. Things can only turn up ... right?


What's good

The Rams have finished below .500 in nine straight years, but a title track of 58 suggests fans remain somewhat hopeful that the organization is upward trending (or at least, that enough of them haven't forgotten their Super Bowl XXIV win). In terms of hope for the future, Les Snead and Jeff Fisher have at least built an intriguing young core, drafting players such as Aaron Donald, Todd Gurley, Alec Ogletree, Michael Brockers, Trumaine Johnson, T.J. McDonald and Tavon Austin over the last five years. If their most recent draft picks click -- most notably Jared Goff and Pharoh Cooper -- the Rams could be on track for postseason contention. They have the second-youngest roster in the league, so perhaps take their 3-1 start with a grain of salt.


What's bad

The organization figured it would burn some bridges by uprooting a franchise, so a fan relations ranking of 121 -- down seven spots from last year -- is not unexpected. Stan Kroenke, the 121st-ranked owner in sports, according to fans, is public enemy No. 1 in St. Louis, and his new fan base is learning how to love again. But some good signs emerged initially. The Rams drew around 90,000 fans for both the first preseason game and the first regular-season game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which ranks 120th in stadium experience, but likely has less to do with the Coliseum than the fact that it's not the Edward Jones Dome. That was all part of the honeymoon stage, however. It'll rub off quickly. The Rams will have to win consistently if they hope to maintain attention spans on the West Coast.


What's new

The Rams outfitted themselves for the bright lights of L.A. by moving up 14 spots to take Goff No. 1 overall in the 2016 draft -- a needed addition since the team fell 20 spots in players this year (smaller only than the drop for coach Jeff Fisher, who fell 49 spots after the move). But Goff wasn't even active when the season began, and the offense he watched from the sidelines may be the least aesthetically pleasing in the NFL. In a passing league, the Rams struggle mightily to throw the ball down the field. But they do have stars, most notably with Gurley and Donald, two of the very best at what they do. They're hoping Goff eventually ascends, too, so that, you know, they can be a little bit more watchable.

Next: San Francisco 49ers | Full rankings