Infographic: The NFL lags far behind the other three major sports in fan relations. Click for full size image.

While working on our series on the Rams' rise up ESPN's Ultimate Franchise Rankings (part 1, part 2, part 3), we discovered an interesting little statistical tidbit. The Rams' ranking on "Fan Relations" leaped forward from 110th out of 122 teams to 68th... still below average across all sports, but just outside the top ten of all NFL teams.

ESPN's metric is supposed to quantify "openness and consideration toward fans by players, coaches and management."

And according to fan surveys by Maddock Douglas and NetReflector, which contributed to this metric, the NFL just doesn't get it.

Of course, maybe we don't need a fan survey to tell us this. Not when Commissioner Roger Goodell is busy informing season ticket holders that "The Lockout is for the fans' own good." This is his argument, cited (and then torn to shreds) by Yahoo's Doug Farrar:

"We can't continue to shift the cost, whether it's the rising player cost or the rising cost of operating an NFL franchise, on to our fans," he said. "That's why we're trying to get a better economic model."

That's all well and good, but Fan Relations, as measured in this poll, has nothing at all to do with costs. It has to do with how you treat people.

Specifically, they asked about fans' perceptions of player conduct on and off the field (a personal bugaboo of Goodell's), appreciation shown from the teams to the fans, accessibility to the fans, and listening to fan feedback. Pretty simple stuff, but why so many teams in the nation's most successful sport can't figure it out is beyond me.

Here's what the Rams are doing right, and what so much of the league is doing wrong:

Why is fixing this ranking so important? No less than the pride of the fan is at stake.

Here's a quick quiz, America of 2009, name a St Louis Ram not named "Steven Jackson." Take your time, we’ll wait.

The name recognition value of the franchise had hit a low ebb as the Rams' Ultimate Franchise Ranking fell to #114, and with it went the pride of the local fan. Not only were there few wins to brag about, there were few players on the roster to point at and pin your hopes for the future on. 

For any Rams fan caught in enemy territory, a conversation about football prompted an immediate "fight or flight" response -- either get sucked into a self-defeating argument about how much better this bunch of no-names were than they appeared, or flee to tales of the Greatest Show glory days.

Of course, we and the other hard-core fans couldn't help but fight for the recognition of hard-working talents like James Laurinaitis and OJ Atogwe. And if we were feeling punchy, we could bring up the untapped potential of players like Chris Long or Donnie Avery. But it was all too obvious that our team had more holes than could be filled in a single offseason.

Fortunately, the Rams plugged the biggest hole on the roster: the Face of the Franchise.

The good news is Stan Kroenke said he is planning to open his wallet for new additions and retaining some of his best football players.

The bad news is, it may be the wrong football team if you are a Rams fan.

Following his takeover in St. Louis, Kroenke shelled out another reported $1.2 billion for the North London soccer squad, Arsenal F.C. in April.

His sports team stable now includes the Rams, Arsenal, the Denver Nuggets, the Colorado Avalanche, the AFL Colorado Crush, the Colorado Mammoth lacrosse team and the MLS Colorado Rapids.

There must be some question in the back of Rams’ fans minds as to how he will facilitate free agent signings when his finances are stretched further than the length of the Gateway Arch.

Arsenal’s needs may be the most pressing as the team has not won the English Premier League title since 2003 and has never won the prestigious Champions League trophy.

Kroenke has already committed to breaking the bank for midfielder Samir Nasri to the tune of around $178,000 per-week during the upcoming EPL season, and may pay even more to keep Cesc Fabregas from moving to Barcelona. 

This doesn’t include the reported 60 million extra pounds Arsenal is rumored to have to spend on new talent to end the silverware drought at Emirates stadium.

Rams fans may not care to watch soccer, but there should be some concern over an entrepreneurial owner who could be delegating money to pay Nasri while Mark Clayton sits at home without a new deal.

Granted, there is a lockout to deal with and Clayton is coming off an injury, but his contract is only the tip of the iceberg.

As the owners and players near an agreement for a new collective bargaining agreement, there are rumors that free agency could go back to the pre-2010 system where players can become unrestricted free agents after their fourth season in the NFL.

This would open the door for St. Louis to sign some defensive stalwarts like Eric Weddle, Barry Cofield or Mathias Kiwanuka.

They could also get some offensive help in Sidney Rice or Santonio Holmes, along with that ever-elusive backup running back in Ahmad Bradshaw or Michael Bush to spell S-Jax.

Hopefully Kroenke decides to spend equally on his teams on both sides of the pond.

However, if he decides his cash flow is better served bringing players to Arsenal, the Rams could be the losers in this game of financial football versus fútbol.

Whether he wants it or not, help for Steven Jackson may soon be on the way.

As a huge contingent of players and owners sit down to meet, ESPN is reporting that a basic framework of a deal is in place. Part of that deal? A return to a four-year path to unrestricted free agency, effectively opening the floodgates of available players to sign. 

And so, the biggest item on Billy Devaney's offseason to-do list might finally be addressed: finding a legitimate backup for Steven Jackson.  

On the heels of this news, Mike Clay of Pro Football Focus (@PFF_MikeClay on Twitter) comes through big-time with an updated list of available skill position free agents. No longer do we have to be wearing beer goggles to find an attractive counterpart for Jackson in the Rams' offense, squinting real hard at the likes of 80-year-old Darren Sproles or a constantly beat-up Cadillac Williams.

No, there is some real cream at the top. Here's a look at the top three new candidates:

While ranking 83rd among 122 pro sports teams isn't necessarily something to be proud of, the trend of the Rams' franchise is finally pointing firmly in a positive direction. All the small reasons for optimism that we in the Rams blog community have been holding on to for the last few years are starting to become widely seen.

Or, to put it another way, the Rams are finally relevant again. But it took a complete overhaul from the top to the bottom to make it happen. Let's start at the very top, where a key factor just fell into place.

The Stability Factor

Ownership: #80 overall (22nd in the NFL) … was #114 overall (31st in NFL)

The Rams gained a lot of stability when Stan Kroenke’s ownership bid was approved. If there's such a thing as a "professional sports owner," Kroenke fits the mold exactly: passionate but hands-off, and willing to invest in his teams. But there is a noticeable gulf between the perception of words and deeds when it comes to Stan’s commitment to St Louis. (Or, by proxy, St. Louis’ commitment to potentially financing a new stadium.)

The ownership ranking is made up of three parts (and to be honest, I'm not sure how they quantify these rankings): "Honesty" in dealings with the media, "Loyalty" in their treatment of core players, and "Commitment" to the city. Kroenke hasn't been in charge long enough to make any promises, let alone break any, but if his part in the contract commitments to Steven Jackson and Sam Bradford are any indication, Loyalty should rank high. 

It's the commitment that has everyone wondering.

According to ESPN's Ultimate Franchise Rankings, Sam Bradford and the reborn Rams are now ranked #83 among the 122 professional sports teams across football, baseball, basketball and hockey. And we're celebrating.

As unimpressive as that rank might seem, this represents the highest they’ve ranked since 2007. More importantly, the trend line is pointing upward just as steeply as their downward slide did in the post-Martz years. 

I know you remember those heady days of 2007... the new incarnation of the Rams was in limbo, as offensive guru Scott Linehan’s first season ended with a 3-0 rush to climb back to 8-8 and something approaching respectability. However, while fans were trying to rekindle their optimism, Linehan was developing a man-crush on Nebraska's Adam Carriker and Jay Zygmunt was penciling in his new roster centered around possession receiver Drew Bennett, and getting ready to kick Isaac Bruce to the curb. 

Three years later, the Rams found themselves among the very worst teams in the NFL, with a new coach, new GM, and new ownership trying to dig themselves out of this hole. According to these new rankings, that job is already well underway.

Last year, when the Rams rated a pathetic 114th among pro sports franchises, we took an extensive look at that ranking, and asked fans how they would go about fixing it. Now let’s see what they’ve done.

With the lockout still looming large over all of our heads. Rumor and speculation about when it will
end seem to pop up every day from some “well connected source”.  In the midst of the excitement about a possible end to this bleak offseason one thing seems to remain lost amongst the collective conscious of fans out there….there is still a lot of work to be done. Especially for a team like the Rams, who are in a very delicate position.

The Rams made a huge leap forward last season going from 1 to 7 wins, but as the saying goes, “with great power comes great responsibility.” For the Rams, “with great strides come great expectations.” I am excited for this upcoming season, I truly am. But I am also going to lessen my daily intake of Blue & Gold Kool-aid. As fans we should expect more, and I do. But what is realistic. Will expectations be tempered enough to be pleased with another 7-9 record(assuming they play an entire season) knowing it will come against a MUCH tougher schedule? Or do the Rams need to win 8, 9 or dare I say 10 games for the season to be a success in the eyes of fans.

The Rams had a great season and I was cheering as loud as anyone and plan to do so again this year. However, as the season inches closer (God I hope) to kickoff I am taking a step back and reminding myself that there is still a lot of work to be done. While at the same time I can sit back and smile about the leap forward the Rams took in 2010. Here are some thoughts from a few others about the strides the Rams took in 2010 and the work that still needs to be done for 2011.

Links that I have deemed…worthy

It’s a stampede…here come the Rams.

Movin on up….but still some holes to fill

Avery running 4.4 40…great if he can last more than 8 minutes into the season

Kendricks looking to start fast…and finish that way too

Putting in work…players assemble in AZ

Just cause he shot himself doesn’t mean he can’t help the Rams

and having @sj39 on the team always helps