The Rams have one last season to keep the 1990s from being a decade of complete disappointment. The Rams are the NFL's worst team in the '90s. Over the past nine seasons they have a 45-99 record -- one loss away from being the first to 100 losses in the decade. RAMS AT A GLANCE

Marshall Faulk Last year: 4-12, tied fourth place in NFC West

Key returnees:: DE Kevin Carter (12 sacks); WR Isaac Bruce (32 receptions for 457 yards); DB Dexter McCleon (2 INTs); OL Orlando Pace

New faces: RB Marshall Faulk (Colts); QB Trent Green (Redskins); WR Torry Holt (first-round pick) OL Adam Timmerman (Packers); DB Devin Bush (Falcons), DB Dre' Bly (second-round pick)

New places: LB Roman Phifer (Jets); QB Steve Bono (Panthers); LB Eric Hill (Chargers); OL Wayne Gandy (Steelers); QB Tony Banks (Ravens)

Watch out: Rams have invested $16 million over four years in Green, who hasn't had a full year of experience as a starting QB.

Better than '98: Faulk gained 1,319 yards rushing in '98, while the Rams rushed for 1,385 yards as a team.

Worse than '98: Losing LBs Phifer and Hill will weaken the defense.

-- Scripps Howard News Service Coach Dick Vermeil enters his third season knowing that he must win or he won't be coaching in the new millennium. After a 5-11 record in '97 and a 4-12 mark last season, time is running out on Vermeil and his staff. "I think we'll make a dramatic move, I really do," Vermeil said. "There are two reasons we won't. No. 1, we get too many injuries. And No. 2, we don't do a good enough job of coaching them. I think we have enough players to win with. I'm not going to hide behind that." Part of Vermeil's dire prediction was realized in the third preseason game when new quarterback Trent Green, who had been flawless in the exhibition season, suffered a season-ending knee injury. In addition to signing Green, the Rams made several offseason moves aimed at energizing their lackluster offense. They signed guard Adam Timmerman, traded for running back Marshall Faulk and drafted wide receiver Torry Holt. The Rams have more weapons than last season, when they were left firing blanks after receiver Isaac Bruce and tight end Ernie Conwell all went down with season-ending injuries in the first half of the season. However, before the Rams could get through the '99 preseason, Green tore two ligaments in his left knee and was lost for the year. "That's the name of the game; you have to have more bullets than the other guy," Bruce said. "We have more bullets this season." The Rams also snatched Mike Martz, Green's QB coach, away from the Redskins. As the Rams' offensive coordinator, Martz is installing a scheme that relies on a lot of quick passes and multiple formations. If nothing else, the Rams should look a lot different this season. Here's a position-by-position look at St. Louis' roster: Quarterbacks

The Rams felt Green, a St. Louis native, was a big upgrade. Because of his season-ending injury, however, they will either have to hitch their wagon to Kurt Warner or journeyman Paul Justin. Warner has attempted only 11 passes in the NFL, but the Rams feel this former Arena Football League and NFL Europe signalcaller has the tools to be a solid backup. Whether he can handle the No. 1 job is another question. After Green's injury, the Rams traded for Justin, who will start the season as the No. 2 QB. Rookie Joe Germaine, who was just too good to pass up in the fourth round of the draft, will be the third-string quarterback. Grade: B- The biggest issue for St. Louis now wasn't an issue a week ago, and that's at quarterback. I would have said the Rams would contend in the NFC West, but I think Trent Green's injury will cost them five or six wins this year. Green has great accuracy and understanding of the game. That injury devastated the Rams as much as any in the league. I'm not saying he's the best quarterback, but what he meant to them was so huge. They go from a competitive team to one that might struggle to win six games. It's not realistic to expect much from Kurt Warner. Joe Germaine might end up as the starter this year. A .500 record should be their goal, but I don't know if that will happen now. Running backs

With Faulk, it's a good bet that the Rams' leading rusher will have more than 313 yards this season. Faulk led the NFL with 2,227 total yards from scrimmage last season. His 1,319 rushing yards were only 66 fewer than the Rams had as a team. The Rams plan to take advantage of Faulk's receiving skills -- he led all running backs with 86 catches last season -- by occasionally lining him up as a receiver. Hill, who rushed for 240 yards and four touchdowns in two games before breaking his leg, gives the Rams a nice insurance policy in case anything happens to Faulk. The Rams are trying to convert Robert Holcombe into a fullback, but he could also be used as a tailback in short-yardage situations. If Holcombe can't handle the blocking, the Rams have old, reliable Derrick Harris. Amp Lee, who led the Rams in receptions the last two years, could miss half of the '99 season after undergoing knee surgery. Grade: B+ Receivers

Keeping Bruce's tightly wound hamstrings from snapping is the Rams' main concern. Bruce is one of the NFL's most dangerous receivers when healthy, but he has missed 15 games over the past two seasons. Holt looks like one of the better WR prospects to come out of college in years. He is fast, smooth and has the big-play ability that was missing for the Rams last season after Bruce got hurt. Ricky Proehl remains one of the best possession receivers in the game, while Az-zahir Hakim has the speed to separate from defenders. The Rams won't hesitate lining up in a four-WR set. Conwell is still recuperating from reconstructive knee surgery, so Roland Willams begins the season as the team's starting tight end. Williams was the coaching staff's Rookie of the Year in '98 after catching 15 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown. Jeff Robinson, a defensive end and long-snapper, is working at tight end and looks like a natural as a receiver. Grade: B+ Offensive linemen

The Rams let their own free agents, Wayne Gandy and Zach Wiegert, leave and signed free agent Timmerman away from the Packers. Timmerman gives the Rams some much-needed toughness and leadership at right guard. Orlando Pace returns at left tackle. Pace can be dominating at times, but he still hasn't played at the consistent level one would expect out of the No. 1 overall pick in the '97 draft. Fred Miller moves from left guard to right tackle, a position he's more naturally suited to play. Tom Nutten and rookie Cameron Spikes are the top candidates at left guard, and Mike Gruttadauria is the starting center. Grade: C- Defensive linemen

DE Kevin Carter is on the threshold of stardom after leading the Rams with 12 sacks last season. DE Grant Wistrom steps up to a starting role after being used only in pass-rushing situations as a rookie. DT Ray Agnew is a classy, dependable veteran, while DT D'Marco Farr is a lighnting-quick pass rusher. Stopping the run could be a problem since the line is rather light, averaging only 278 pounds. Grade: B Linebackers

The LB corps had two big losses with OLB Roman Phifer jumping ship to the Jets, and MLB Eric Hill lost to the salary cap. Todd Collins was added from the Patriots to replace Phifer, and London Fletcher, Lorenzo Styles and Charlie Clemons are battling to replace Hill. OLB Mike Jones is terrific in pass coverage. He also led all Rams linebackers last season with 106 tackles. Grade: C Defensive backs

CB Todd Lyght enters his contract season wanting to prove that he's still a top-notch cover man. On the other side, CB Dexter McCleon replaces Ryan McNeil. FS Keith Lyle has an NFL-best 23 interceptions over the past four seasons. Billy Jenkins and Devin Bush, a free-agent signee from the Falcons, are both vying for the starting SS job. Jenkins was strong against the run but struggled in coverage last season. Grade: B+ Special teams

PK Jeff Wilkins regained his old form and connected on 20-of-26 FG attempts last season. His range seems to be increasing, as he had three 50-yard field goals last season. P Rick Tuten rebounded from an early-season slump. He still must learn to punt directionally to keep special-teams coach Frank Gansz happy. Tony Horne set a club record for kickoff-return yardage last season as a rookie, while Hakim will take over Eddie Kennison's job as punt returner. Grade: C- Material from Pro Football Weekly.

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