For the Rams, it all starts with stopping -- OK, limiting -- Adrian Peterson
ST. LOUIS -- Hope springs eternal in every locker room heading into the season opener.
The Rams are no exception, and veteran quarterback Shaun Hill has extra reason to be excited about Sunday's game against Minnesota at the Edward Jones Dome. He's making his first start since 2010 -- his first ever in a Rams uniform -- and just to add to the drama, it comes against the team that gave him a chance as an undrafted free agent after he wasn't even invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in 2002.
"I don't know what the vibe's been in the past, so I don't know if it's different or not," said Hill, who signed a one-year deal with St. Louis in March. "But I definitely get the positive vibe around here, for sure."
How well he handles the pressure will be critical in a game that could either confirm fans' worst fears since Sam Bradford was lost for the season or show the Rams shouldn't be counted out just yet. Here are three other things to watch when the Rams and Vikings kick off at noon Sunday on FOX.
It's easy to see why Rams defensive end Chris Long, strong safety T.J. McDonald and just about anyone else you ask in the St. Louis locker room call Minnesota's Adrian Peterson "the best back in football."
The six-time Pro Bowler and two-time MVP has more rushing yards than anyone else over the past two seasons, and arguably his best game during that stretch came in St. Louis in 2012. Coach Jeff Fisher hasn't forgotten how Peterson ran all over the Rams' defense for 212 yards and a touchdown to lead the Vikings to a 36-22 win.
"We went into the game knowing that he has the potential to put the ball in the end zone from anywhere on the field," Fisher said. "You can't let your guard down and we started off fast, well against the run, and then we put our defense in a couple bad situations and before you know it he's racking the yards up."
Even with a new approach, he knows it's virtually impossible to completely stop the 6-foot-1, 217-pound freak of nature who has shown no signs of slowing down entering his eighth season. Instead, the Rams will look for ways to contain Peterson and try to keep him from breaking any big plays.
That means a team effort to swarm any time he touches the ball and never waiting for his next move. Long said what separates Peterson from other great backs is his ability to punish the secondary once he gets past the first level, and linebacker James Laurinaitis stressed not allowing him to find the gaps.
"We've got to go out there and try to be the attacking force," Laurinaitis said. "You can't sit there and react to him because, quite frankly, he's more explosive than a lot of guys and when you get to him, he's physical."
A year ago, Minnesota went 1-8 when Peterson didn't rush for 100 yards, compared with 2-2-1 when he hit the century mark. Limiting his production might not guarantee a victory, but it would certainly help.
STEPPING UP IN THE SECONDARY
Then again, the Vikings also won the two games they played without Peterson, at home against Philadelphia and Detroit.
A big reason was the success of quarterback Matt Cassel, especially when he threw for 382 yards and two touchdowns while running for another against the Eagles. McDonald said that although Peterson will be the biggest threat, he can't be the defense's only focus.
"You can't get caught up in one player, even though he is a great player," McDonald said. "You've still got to do your own job and do things that you're supposed to do and don't let everything else fall asleep."
That's especially true for a young Rams secondary entering the season as the weakest link of the defense, even before Trumaine Johnson suffered an MCL sprain expected to keep him out the first four to six weeks. Rookie E.J. Gaines will likely start at cornerback, and fellow rookie Lamarcus Joyner figures to see a lot of playing time as the primary nickelback against receiver-heavy sets.
If McDonald, free safety Rodney McLeod and cornerback Janoris Jenkins can't stop talented receivers such as Greg Jennings and Cordarrelle Patterson, it could be a long day for the Rams.
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ESTABLISHING THE RUNNING GAME
It's no secret the Rams plan to rely heavily on their tailbacks -- and that was the case before a relative unknown took over at quarterback.
That's always been the key for a Fisher offense, and it won't change in his 20th season as an NFL head coach. Success starts up front with the offensive line, a group in which Fisher has plenty of confidence.
"I feel good about the guys that we're going to play with," Fisher says. "They've been practicing together now for a couple weeks. I have no concern and feel good about our depth as well."
Zac Stacy will be looking to pick up where he left off last season as the Rams' primary back, and there's some intriguing depth behind him with Benny Cunningham and Tre Mason. None of them had particularly impressive preseasons, but Stacy's touches were so limited it's too soon to worry.
A good start for the running game could provide a confidence boost and so much more for Hill as he looks to prove he's capable of leading an offense. Ideally, the Rams won't have to ask their new quarterback to do too much in his debut with much tougher games ahead on the schedule.
You can follow Luke Thompson on Twitter @FS_LukeT or email him at lukegthompson87@gmail.com.
