More Than a Game Was Lost

We'd all be lying to ourselves if we didn't deep down inside believe the team had quit on Linehan long before the Steelers game.

As a fan, you always hope that it'll never happen, but sometimes enough is enough, even for the players.

It's been brewing for a long time now. It all started with Jackson, who openly apologized and it was all suppose to be due to his fierce competitiveness.

Then there was the so called minor incident on the sidelines with Bulger giving his head coach the "evil eye".

All of which, Linehan has shrugged off, including the latest and most volatile outburst of them all. And for all the world to see. The last two players on this team you would ever expect to see such an outburst from would be Isaac Bruce and the always even tempered Torry Holt. In fact if I had not seen it with my very own eyes, I would never have believed it. But I did see it, I did capture it on DVD and the above still shot. It did happen and it's sad to think one of the happiest players on the team, one of the most mild mannered members of the NFL would be pushed this far, pushed to his own emotional limits to force him to react in such a manner. And all Linehan can do is say "It didn't bother me." What?! It should bother you, A LOT! It should make you think there's something very, very, very wrong in Rams Nation!

If three leaders on this team, not one disgruntled player, but THREE leaders during the season have shown extreme displeasure right in front of the cameras, how many more players feel the same way and just haven't spoken up or got caught by the ever watchful NFL cameras?!

If three of your leaders turn on you coach, you have a bigger problem than you can manage, because leaders lead and the rest follow.

More than a game was lost on Thursday against the Steelers. The final exclamation point was put on losing the team as a whole. They were slipping away long before this game, Holt simply emphasized it with finality. Respect for the coaching authority has been lost and if Linehan is allowed to stay after this blatant statement by Holt, there's nothing Linehan can do to get them back not next week, not next season, not ever.

If John Shaw doesn't see the scope of this turmoil, the utter disaster that has become the Rams, and understand that no matter how nice a guy is, if he's not doing his job to the best of his ability, and he's lost the support of his subordinates then there's no hope for this team.

Perhaps Linehan should do some soul searching and if Shaw can't bring himself to do what is best for the team, perhaps Linehan should.

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On a lighter note. Congrats is in order for Isaac Bruce! Way to keep moving up the ladder of fame! Way to go Bruce for moving past James Lofton to third on the ALL Receiving List! Just two more to go to reach the heights of Jerry Rice!

What a phenomenal player and one of the NFL's classiest acts!

We love you BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE!!!!!


Your number will be next right along with #28!!!