There is No Doubt

That there are players on this team that want to come back and make a difference in 2009. Sunday's game proved that.

It would be wise of Deveany if he took a good close look at the following players and keep them on next years roster.

Torry Holt
Donnie Avery
Jason Craft
Victor Adeanju
O.J. Atogwe
Ron Bartell
Will Witherspoon
Steven Jackson
Antonio Pittman
Leonard Little
Chris Long
Adam Carriker
And the kickers are no brainers

These players should be kept at all costs and from there go for depth, which of course is what Deveany believes is important for a successful team.

In the weeks and months a head, it should be very interesting to see, if our new GM truly is allowed to make all the important decisions that will make or break this organization. But he should at least be given the chance to do it on his own without anyone breathing down his neck.

Here's to the future!

The Off Season

We all know that this season will be put out of it's misery as of this weekend, but what about the off season?

With the incredible and embarrassing decline of our team, who would really want to play for us? For that matter who would really want to coach us?

Is there a player out there or a coach out there who wants to make a conscious and deliberate decision to play for a team, or coach a team that has fallen so far off the radar that not even the most up to date equipment could pick up their existence?

Devaney has grand plans, and all sound great should he truly get complete control of player personnel, but will those grand plans be realized if he can't find players who'd be willing to join an organization that's been stripped of it's honor and pride?

Mastering the Art of Losing

Well if the Rams have accomplished anything at all in the past two seasons, it's mastering the art of losing. And I've got to admit it, they've become pretty good at it. They've almost reached the top at losing. The Lions seem to have gotten top dog for this skill.

No matter what the situation, no matter what the score or who the opponent is, the Rams seem to be able to squander all leads whenever there might be won and find yet one more way to lose.

They had the perfect opportunity to blow away the Seahawks, but instead the second half was just another showcase of futility.

All we can hope for next year is a bunch of new faces trying to figure out why the heck they're in St. Louis.

Brown Baggin It

After nearly two years of complete humiliation and dropping almost as low as you can possibly get, unless of course if you're the Lions, the Rams have continued to dismay short time and long time fans.

It's a sad day in Rams Nation when you begin to feel like you need to pack all your Rams gear away in a cedar hope chest filled with moth balls. You start to feel like you sure don't want to be caught dead let a lone alive in public sporting your blue and gold.

And now, a lot of fans are faced with the dilemma of deciding on whether or not they want plastic or paper at the grocery store.

Because "brown baggin it" has taken on a whole new meaning here in Rams Nation.

Thankful I Cancelled NFL Sunday Ticket

I never thought I would hear that coming from me, saying I was thankful for ridding myself of the financial burden of NFL Sunday Ticket. But after two years of such ineptitude from our team, it's the smartest thing I could have done. At least now I don't have to pay for the misery that is our team.

Oh, I still get to see it, a week hasn't gone by that I've not been able to punish myself by finding a live stream of each game on the Internet. But at least I'm not having to pay for the punishment.

It's tough to be a Rams fan and painful. Sure it's just football but it's a pass time and aren't pass times suppose to be enjoyable?

And as bad as we're doing this season, you'd think we'd be first in line for the #1 draft pick. NOT! We can't even be given that hope with Detroit winless, Bengals with one win and the Chiefs and Seahawks clawing, scratching, and breathing down our necks to try and get that #1 pick! We can't even win that.

Pretty much sums up the season.

There's Nothing Left In the Tank

Well, there are those like the fan above that still put an effort out. I've got to admit this guy put out more effort than the entire team puts out on any given Sunday.

The Rams have had a leak in their tank since day one and for a moment in time, Haslett was able to patch it up with a little 5 minute epoxy. But like we all know, 5 minute epoxy is just a temporary fix for what's really wrong.

The epoxy is gone, the hole is bigger and the tank is empty. There's nothing left and the team just doesn't care. Oh sure there might be a few token players left on the team that might go out there and show some effort but it's a really bad sign when the lackluster and defeatist attitude of the majority of the team even rubs off on Josh Brown. Although he wouldn't be any better off in Seattle right now, it's a lose lose situation for him from any stand point.

Some players are disturbed by the lack of support they are getting from their fans. OK, I've been a staunch supporter of the idea that you stick with your team through whatever mess they find themselves in, and to some degree I still am. But there comes a time when even the truest of true fans have to draw the line.

When you see your team go out onto the field week after week with little or no effort put forth, when you see your team play with no emotion over and over again. When you see your team go out and do the same stupid mistakes week after week, penalties left and right, missed tackle after missed tackle. An offense that can't muster more than 3 points after a 75 yard kick return, oh wait, they even missed that field goal. Good god! And the players can't understand why the fans just sit there and are well lifeless! Their team is lifeless, they've been sucked dry, drained with the ineptitude of a team that is suppose to be a group of highly paid professionals. Why should they be expected to give up their hard earned money for a product that even China wouldn't put their stamp on for resale.

I tell myself over and over again, "I love my team, I love my team, I love my team." But I am finding it increasingly difficult to put myself in front of a TV screen and watch yet another week of complete and total embarrassment beyond the realm of human comprehension. I can't even begin to imagine what it's like for those sitting in the stands watching their money being whisked away from them like thieves in the night.

The players gave up a long time ago, sucking the fans completely dry, leaving them with nothing but an empty tank and empty promises.

Give Me One Reason to be a Rams Fan

After Sunday's game, to be honest with you, I couldn't find one single reason why I'm hanging in here as a Rams fan.

Not one! How sad is that?

There's no hope around the corner for this group of misfits led by a QB that doesn't give a damn about what we think or say.

There's no light at the end of the tunnel to offer us any ray of hope that just maybe, just maybe there's still some life and pride left in this team. Nothing.

This team is so damaged that not even a top notch, superior draft can help bring the team back to respectability. There are so many players that need to be replaced it's mind boggling. This mess we call a team makes the days of Tony Banks look like a cake walk.

Yet here I am, publishing a newsletter, a website and forum all for the Blue and Gold. And why? I really don't have the answer. Not a logical answer.

The only thing that comes to mind is that maybe it's because after you have followed a team all your life, they become like family, and sometimes even your family can be difficult to be around, but you still love them. And you find it harder to turn your back on that family than it is to love them. So, you continue to love them even though they've let you down, even though they've fallen apart and gone astray. Because as hard as it is, you know deep in your heart, that this is the time when your love is most needed.

Go Rams!

Does It Get Any More Embarrassing?

This was the most embarrassing game I think I've experienced in my entire life as a Rams fan. I am probably the last one that would leave a game before it's over, but had I been at that game I would have been gone at half time. As it was I suffered through most of the game online until about the last 6 minutes and well quite frankly, I can only handle being a massichist for so long.

I'm glad that Bulger was benched but it should have been done before the 2nd half, that would have made a bigger statement than doing it in the 2nd half. Bulger should be left on the sidelines holding the clipboard the rest of the season.

For some odd reason it appears that Bulger thinks this $65 million contract makes him immune having to own up to his inability to play football. He seems to think it's OK to dismiss what people think or how his fans feel. On the sideline he looked as if he just didn't give a damn.

It's enough of this crap, the team doesn't need and the fans don't deserve it, that's for sure.

Sure benching Bulger isn't the overall answer, but it's a start. Haslett can't come back this week and put him back in. He needs to stick to his guns if he wants to send a message loud and clear. "Don't perform, don't play!" The season may be a wash but that doesn't mean you allow players to play at such a sub-par caliber.

The next serveral years are not going to be much better and I guess it's time for all of us to get use to that fact and do what we can to be patient and hope that someday this organization will once again regain it's respect in the NFL.

Enough is Enough

I rarely agree with what Bernie M has to say when it comes to the Rams but his comment about Bulger getting close to Tony Banks territory is right on target!

Bulger has had far too many chances to be the leader of this team and in recent years has done nothing but fail at that. And since he's gotten that big contract he's done nothing but regress.

During Linehnan's stint with the Rams, there wasn't much that he did right, but the one thing that does stand out that may have been the right thing, was benching Bulger. He knew something the rest of us seem to have known for a long time. Bulger simply no longer has what it takes to lead this team, if he ever did.

Haslett, needs to wake up to this and let go of Bulger and his hopes that he'll get out of this. Put Green in and go from there. And from there the Rams need to seriously reconsider the Rams QB position for 2009.

The team needs to move on, and without Bulger at the helm.

A New Star in Town

Don't get me wrong here, I love Torry Holt to death, but when you experience something like Avery, his great hands and his speed. It's hard not to take notice. And a rookie to boot.

He may be a rookie, but he plays with the smarts of a veteran and that's another notch in his belt in his rise to stardom.

A lot of people scoffed at the Rams for taking him in the second round. They're not scoffing anymore. This kid has proven himself on the field against two good teams, Cowboys and Patriots.

Watching him out there you'd never know he was a rookie and the Patriots learned fast not to take him lightly. And even when they picked up on that, he still burned them for 163 yards!

What the Rams coaching staff saw in him that others didn't see is now developing before our very own eyes on the field!

My hope is that he continues to develop at the speed he's going and that the coaches continue to allow him to do so.

Before you know it Avery will be a household name.

Hail to Haslett!

Long live the chief of inspiration! I don't know what this guy has done but what a miracle he's been working up to this point.

He takes a team that is completely beaten down to the bare bone and brings them to a win, ugly win in D.C. but a win no less. Then takes that win and uses it as encouragement for the Rams to feed off of against the Cowboys!

And it was a feeding frenzy, they looked like a school of piranha out there that hadn't seen food in a very long time. How inspirational to see our team actually go out there and want to play and stick it to "America's Team". America's Team, whatever....nobody ever got my vote on that one.

Cowboys not only got the wind knocked out of them but got their butts handed to them on a few Rams horns.

What irritated me though were the announcers, here the Rams were up 34 to 7 and all they could talk about were the Cowboys this, Cowboys that and how they just handed the Rams the game. Never once giving the Rams one iota of credit for a great job. Acting as if all those turnovers were simply given to the Rams without any effort on the Rams part and they were just lucky recipients of gifts. Whatever! Admit it, the Rams outplayed the Cowboys in every aspect of the game, don't make excuses for them, just fess up to the truth.

Go Rams!

What A Difference A Coach Can Make

Well, well, well, isn't it amazing just how much difference one single person can make on a group of people?

In just one game the leadership of Haslett was shinning through like a the sun that's been hidden by a bunch of dark storm clouds that suddenly bursts through the clouds!

I commend Haslett for not only having the Rams prepared to play this game but also prepared to fight against adversity and the odds.

I commend the Rams for not putting their tails between their legs when the game started off with the unfortunate fumble by Jackson. Instead they stood by their coach and their fellow teammates and dug in deep and stood their ground.

Way to go Rams, way to go Haslett. Now, let's build from this!

Nothing Will Help This Season

No matter what Chip Rosenbloom decides to do with changes in staff and/or players, the damage from last year through to this year is far beyond a simple fix of getting rid of the coach. Although Linehan must go. There's no question there. But it would have served the team far better had Rosenbloom gotten rid of him at the end of last season.

Nothing can be done about that error on his part. But he can't sit and wait till the end of the season either to start blowing up this organization. The time is now, especially if he wants to keep any type of fan base in St. Louis.

His first step MUST be to fire Linehan, no if's, and's or but's about it. Who he puts in as interim coach really won't matter much because the damage to our team has already pretty much destroyed them as a whole. But if this step isn't taken then Rosenbloom himself had better start thinking of getting out of St. Louis and fast.

His second step will need to be working all season in the background and making up a game plan on how to improve his front office and that would be getting rid of long time family friends Shaw and Zgymunt. It just has to happen. And finally he must find a coach that has a reputation of turning things around and who would be willing to take on the challenge of our poor Rams.

If none of this happens, then all of us are guaranteed many more years of darkness in Rams Nation.

P.S. Well as I was writing this, the news was being released about the firing of Linehan so a lot of what I said is moot. But I will say, I'm not so sure of the choice of Haslett. He couldn't motivate the defense, how is he going to motivate the entire team? Guess we'll find out the week after the bye.

The 90's Are Starting to Look Good

Two weeks now we've witnessed some of the worst Rams football in franchise history. There is no doubt in my mind that this is true. I've been following the Rams since the mid-60's and I've not EVER seen anything as dreadful as this.

Looking back at the dreadful 90's now just seems to be a joke. When we thought we were suffering during that era of Rams football, little did we know that a new and more brutally painful era was going to hit within a decade.

It's time to give it up Chip, it's time to give it up Linehan and admit that you just can't cut it and stop bringing the team down with you. Walk away while you still might have some semblance of manhood left. And Zyggy go crunch the numbers and stop thinking you know anything about football, because there's a world of women that could handle football decisions better than you could, and they could probably do it in their sleep.

The past two weeks really make the 90's look almost like a cake walk. And at least then we had Bruuuuuuuce!!!!

Wow

That was about as mind numbing as anything can get. I can't believe that I actually got up, dressed in Rams gear, even put on my Rams earrings and allowed myself to get psyched up for such a display.

I don't think I even remember a time during the dismal 90's where the effort on the part of the team was so lacking!

Sure we can say this was just the first game, but come on no one can be that bad, can they?

Where was the so called Al Saunders offense?

Has Bulger simply given up on playing quarterback?

Did Saunders forget we had a player by the name of Holt?

What's the excuse for the O-line this time?

Was Donnie Jones the only one that got off that plane to play?

Just pathetic and I don't know if I can stomach a season that seems to be pointing to as bad if not even worse than 2007!

I'm Impressed

Although I've not been able to see any of the Rams play in the preseason, I will say one thing, I'm quite impressed from what I'm hearing about the defense.

One of the most impressive things that stands out to me is the fact that in three games the defense has only allowed one touchdown. On the other hand we won't mention how many the ST's have allowed. Don't even want to go there....something the Rams can't ever seem to fix.

From what I hear Little is looking great and this could be a good thing for Chris Long. What better tutor could he have on the field than Little? Sure he's got his dad as an example, but Dad isn't going to be out on the field with him during crunch time.

I envision Long and Little becoming a terror from both sides in the near future and this is going to bode well for the entire defense.

Haslett's has just got to be dying for the season to begin so he can unleash his improved defense on unsuspecting offensive lines.

Go Rams!

$65 Million Bucks For What?

So in 2007 to start the season off with Marc Bulger gets the big contract. The contract that assures him that the Rams think he's worth it. Yet throughout the entire 2007 season there wasn't a single game where Marc assured the Rams that he was worth even a dime of that contract.

The facts would show that Bulger never even came close to earning the money, never even improved his game play, in fact he seemed to regress farther back than he ever had when he was just taking over for the ousted Kurt Warner.

Oh sure we can try and blame it on a revolving door called the offensive line in 2007 but you can only ride that excuse for so long. At some point in time the QB no matter how bad the line might be simply has to get his job done in one way or another and Bulger failed miserably.

Fast forward to 2008 and it's the pre-season and already we are seeing signs of what might be to come from our $65 million dollar golden boy. Which is further regression and what's the excuse this time?

Bulger needs to get his act together or Rams fans may be seeing Trent Green a lot sooner than later.

Where or Where Can He Be?

Jackson, Jackson, Jackson what the hell do you think you're doing? Are you so ticked off at the fans from last year for the selling off of tickets and all that boos that you're losing sight of what the game is all about?

Even if you didn't see the horrendous first pre-season game, you've bound to have heard or read how dreadful and pathetic the team was. Are you not a leader or are you just becoming $'s cruncher?

Your team desperately needs you and you need to get up off your duff and get in there to help them. Just being there would boost the morale that soon will be as low as it was last year.

And if you thought it was bad last year with the way the fans treated you, then you are in for a rude awakening whenever you decide to return. Because most fans can't stand a hold out. So you better start forgetting about what YOU want and start thinking about your team.

So How Did You Do?

Ok all, here are the answers you've been waiting for.

Afterwards you'll find your IQ rating.

Good Luck!

---

1. How many yards receiving did Torry Holt have in SB 34? (109)
   
2. Which Ram set a MNF record with the most yards receiving in a game with 300+ yards? (Torry Holt)
   
3. Name the Fearsome Foursome. (Deacon Jones, Merlin Olson, Lamar Lundy, Rosie Grier)
   
4. What year was Merlin Olsen drafted? (1962)
   
5. What Ram receiver in 1945 became the first receiver in the NFL to ever gain over 250 yds receiving with 303 yds? (Jim Benton)
   
6. When did John Robinson retire from the Rams organization? (1991)
   
7. How many total yards did Marshall Faulk have in 1999? (2,429)
   
8. Who were three members of the Rams "Bull Elephant" backfield? (Dan Towler, Tank Younger & Dick Hoerner)
9. What high school did Kurt Warner attend? (Cedar Rapids Regis High)
   
10. How many players and draft picks combined did the Rams give to pick up Ollie Matson? (8 players and one draft pick.)
11. When was Norm Van Brocklin drafted? (1949)
    
12. How many 100 yard games did Eric Dickerson have in 1984? (12)
    
13. Who led the Rams in rushing in 1981? (Wendall Tyler)
    
14. Who drafted Fred Dryer in 1969? (The Giants)
    
15. What university did Deacon Jones attend? (South Carolina State)
    
16. How many passes did Willie "Flipper" Anderson catch to reach his game high record of 336 yards against the Saints in 1989? (15)
    
17. Who started the season as QB for the Rams in 1979? (Pat Hayden)
    
18. Who drafted Jim Everett? (Houston Oilers)
    
19. What university did Az Zahir Hakim attend? (San Diego State)
    
20. When was Merlin Olsen inducted into the Hall of Fame? (1982)

---

YOUR RAMS IQ
&
Hall of Fame Standing

16-20 Correct... Holy Cow! Straight to the top! Welcome to the Rams Hall of Fame!
11-15 Correct... Not bad, not bad at all. Won't be long till you're in the Hall of Fame!
6-10 Correct... Nothing to be ashamed of, valiant try, but not ready for the Hall of Fame for a while. They are tough questions
0-5 Correct... You're not really Rams fan are you? Heck the water boy knows more than you

What's Your Rams IQ?

Since news is so slow right now, I thought this time around that I would make up a Rams IQ test for all interested parties.

So let's see how high your Rams IQ really is. Answer the 20 questioned listed below.

1. How many yards receiving did Torry Holt have in SB 34?
2. Which Ram set a MNF record with the most yards receiving in a game with 300+ yards?
3. Name the Fearsome Foursome.
4. What year was Merlin Olsen drafted?
5. What Ram receiver in 1945 became the first receiver in the NFL to ever gain over 250 yds receiving with 303 yds?
6. When did John Robinson retire from the Rams organization?
7. How many total yards did Marshall Faulk have in 1999?
8. Who were three members of the Rams "Bull Elephant" backfield?
9. What high school did Kurt Warner attend?
10. How many players and draft picks combined did the Rams give to pick up Ollie Matson?
11. When was Norm Van Brocklin drafted?
12. How many 100 yard games did Eric Dickerson have in 1984?
13. Who led the Rams in rushing in 1981?
14. Who drafted Fred Dryer in 1969?
15. What university did Deacon Jones attend?
16. How many passes did Willie "Flipper" Anderson catch to reach his game high record of 336 yards against the Saints in 1989?
17. Who started the season as QB for the Rams in 1979?
18. Who drafted Jim Everett?
19. What university did Az Zahir Hakim attend?
20. When was Merlin Olsen inducted into the Hall of Fame?

Well there you go! Now make sure to write your answers down and keep them. We will provide you with the correct answers and IQ scores in our next newsletter!

Have fun!

Fans Don't Like to Hear the Truth

In fact, does anyone really like hearing the truth? Truth stings doesn't it? But do we want to be lied to, really? Wouldn't you rather know how someone really feels than go along in life totally ignorant of others feelings?

Then why should fans be any different? Why are they so outraged when a player simply speaks the truth? Not BS but the truth. But it seems fans have a double standard when it comes to football players and the truth.

Once again, grumblings are beginning to erupt over the simple fact that Steven Jackson has no qualms about expressing his true feelings about the situation of the Rams, the organization and it's fans. And why shouldn't he have that right? It's a free country isn't it?

Fans feel they have the right to say what they want about their team or players. They feel they have the right to turn their backs on their team when times get rough and lean. Yet this is where the double standard comes into play. They don't believe that the players should be extended that same right.

If a players feels the need to express his disgust with fans selling off their tickets to the opposing team, shouldn't that player have the right to do so? And a fan can blame it on the rising cost, the NFL, team front office for those rising costs and that those fans have a right to sell. Sure they do, but shouldn't they at least first try and sell those tickets to the teams fans first before even remotely considering the opponents fans? Isn't that just outright betrayal? Why buy the tickets at all?

So what if a player wants to call out his fellow teammates for poor play or even express how the play calling was poor? If the record supports it, then the truth shouldn't be so shocking or "hurtful". And isn't that what we all look for in a leader? Aren't leaders suppose to step up and challenge the rest to better themselves?

So when Steven Jackson speaks out about last year and he points at all the glaring inadequacies of the Rams from 2007, why should it anger us?

The truth is the truth no matter how you want to deny it.

I say, keep the words of truth coming Jackson, because the truth will set you free!

Go Rams!!!

Remember Trung?

I'm not going to try and compare Donnie Avery with the likes of Trung Candidate. All of his stats seem to be glowing from all the scouting reports that you might come across and read. And I really don't know too much about the kid.

The coaches seem to love him and he seems to be well liked by all the coaches.

What scares me though is the fact the main reason that they seemed to have focused on him when drafting him was his supposed incredible speed. Speed is fine because usually it leads to YAC, which Avery says is his "best friend", but it just gives me shades of the past when they said the same thing about Trung Candidate. Who turned out to be just a "toy" to tinker with and to be shelved when his so called formidable skills never developed.

With Bruce gone though, we can't afford to have our second round draft pick become a coaches "toy", we don't have that luxury.

Just as Torry won't make a comment or assessment on Avery, the jury here is also still out and will wait to see more evidence on whether or not Avery has what it takes or gets shelved like other unwanted toys.

Rams Set Up To Fail

The Rams have seriously been trying to change things since the '07 debacle. Beginning from the top all the way down to the lowest man on the totem pole. And this is a good thing. It shows that the organization is serious about trying to produce a product that the fans in St. Louis will want to come and see play.

But have the Rams been set up to fail? The NFL has dished them out a schedule you would think would have gone to a team that made it to the playoffs last year, or at least to a team that had some semblence of a winning record. Yet, it was given to a team with a 3-13 record and the #2 draft pick in the NFL draft.

The first half of the season is simply grueling.

• Eagles


• Giants


• Seattle


• Bills


• Redskins


• Dallas


• Patriots


• Cardinals

On paper it would look like we might only walk away with 1 or 2 wins the first half of the season. I'm not saying they can't beat any of these teams, but on paper it looks gloomy, it looks ominous, it looks plain old scarey!

And to make matters worse in St. Louis, the fans and the city know that soon they will have to be flipping the bill for either major improvements at the Ed or build a whole new stadium. Since this is what they promised the team when they enticed them to move to St. Louis. So the natives are not only restless but getting very grumpy. Guess they should have thought of that before dangling that carrot out in fron of the Rams organizations noses!

Even though it's the promises of the city of St. Louis, that's not going to stop the fans from becoming outraged the moment there's signs of more trouble with the Rams, like heading for another losing season and if that turns out to be the case, the idea of having a huge tax burden thrust upon them to keep the team in town, may not sit too well with those who live there.

I love this team, have since I was a child and I hate seeing them in a situation where they are set up for failure, but unfortunately that can be the beast of the NFL. It's an ugly business, let's just hope that it doesn't get any uglier for the Rams!

GO RAMS!!!!

Unrest in Torry's Heart

Just when we the fans think we've put Bruce behind us, or at least pretend to have done so, along comes Holt who finally breaks his silence on the Bruce issue.

Just when we think that perhaps we can move on, along comes Holt expressing the loss of his long time friend and mentor.

Perhaps his silence about the situation for so long helped the fans move on, but with the truth being known and now felt it just may reopen the wound the Rams organization gave most of us with their unwillingness to work something out with Bruce to have him retire a Ram.

It's obvious the lack of respect the organization actually showed Bruce by their unwillingness to do something for him, especially since they bent over backwards for Marshall Faulk, and I'm not trying to take away from that, Faulk deserved it, but so did Bruce if not more so. Was he not just as instrumental in bringing that championship home to us as Faulk?

And this is one of the things that has Torry's heart uneasy. And why should it not be? If the loyalty they showed or lack there of for Bruce is so glaring, why would Torry believe that it won't be the same for him as he quickly approaches the possibility of the end of his career with the Rams. He too faces the reality that he may not be able to retire a Ram either.

At one time in his career he probably had no doubts this was where he would end his career, but things have changed around him and inside of him. There's something missing deep inside of Torry now and it's apparent when he actually considers the fact that he could end his career elsewhere. And his choice would be Carolina, his home.

Will the pain of losing Bruce affect Holt's committment to the team, will he allow his feelings towards the front office affect his performance on the field? As fans, we would hope not. But the loss of Bruce may be running deeper than any of us may have imagined.

Let's hope the unrest in Torry's heart does not lead to unrest on the field. Let's also hope that the unrest in his heart sends a message to the FO that although it's a business, it's not always a wise business move to throw away a good product to try something new.

Go Rams!

Good Solid Pick Despite Bernie M's Feelings

Bernie M the old Rams blowhard in St. Louis may be spouting off negatives about this kid, but if this was the only player in the draft we had to choose then I'd be happy. Period.

Maybe Bernie has something against Howie Long, outside the fact that he played for the Raiders, I can find no fault in Howie, in fact, he's always had a soft spot in my heart as a player and as an anyalist.

Not only does Chris Long come from a good family with a solid family foundation, as well as a Hall of Famer father, he's an intelligent, hard working, talented young man that does not seem to have gotten where he's gotten so far on the coat tails of his father. He's gotten there by his own talents.

If NFL.com can only muster up one very small paragraph on his negatives, I'm impressed.

I think this was a good, solid pick for the Rams and I feel he'll make an immediate impact along side Adam Carriker.

Welcome to the Rams Chris!

No Predictions Here

With everyone out there predicting or trying to predict who the Rams might take with their 1st overall pick of the draft, I've decided that what's the sense? It's like a crap shoot! Chances are the Rams aren't going to pick who we the fans think they should pick anyway.

Instead, I'll just sit back and wait and see what comes shooting my way, like Russian Roulette, come draft day morning.

I will say this though, with an attitude that Vernon Gholston has about how he says he can fix what's ailing the Rams, I wouldn't mind seeing someone like that join the locker room. Sure attitude isn't all that's needed but we're talking defense here and this defense needs an attitude.

But hey, I'm not predicting here. Just food for thought.

Go Rams!

Better Not Say A Word

Thought it would be the wise thing for me to do....and not post a piece this week, the surgery and drugs they have me on, well let's just say I'd be Rambling alright if I tried to write something this time around.

Should be back to par in a couple of weeks.

Enjoy the other writers articles!

So Many Questions

So little going on, so little news coming out of Rams Nation, yet so many questions to be answered!

1. Was it REALLY necessary to get rid of Bruce?
2. Was it wise to sign Trent Green for so much money?
3. Will Al Saunders bring back the offensive spark?
4. Will Marc Bulger actually play like he's worth that hefty contract?
5. Will the Rams defense find any help in free agency, a player that's not long in the tooth?
6. Will the Rams immediately try for a rookie who will make an immediate impact on the defense or will they be lured by a "pretty toy"?
7. Will the atmosphere at Rams Park be different with a fresh start in 2008?
8. Will the fans come to the first game with a chip on their shoulders?
9. Will the Rams pull themselves out of the pit of the West or will they continue to be stuck in the quagmire?

So many questions that we all must sit and wait for the answers.

Don't you just hate the off season? Well, I guess it's better than enduring another season like 2007 though.

GO RAMS!

I Have One Thing to Say to the St. Louis Media

SHUT UP!

It's time you get off your high horses and stop telling the Rams fans how we're suppose to feel, react, and behave! Stop telling us to stop living in the past and get on with life.

First off, you are not fans. You are talking heads that get paid to cover the local teams in your area. You don't know the first thing about what it means to be the "little guy". We as fans can all be guaranteed of one thing, you were not fans prior to the Rams arriving to your so called "Sports City" of St. Louis! And you are not fans now.

Your payment to show some semblance of loyalty does not qualify you to tell us how to act. Most of us Rams fans, I mean true blue, die hard, bleed blue and gold fans were following this team probably when most of you were still in diapers or maybe potty training. The fans don't get paid to be loyal, they just are.

Secondly, it's not about living in the past, especially with regards to #80. It's about loyalty, honesty, and respect! None of which the Rams organization has shown. Take a look at Green Bay, you think Favre would ever be treated in this manner? And do you think their fans would be told to stop living in the past?

Third, don't give us the "it's a business" crap! Believe it or not, some businesses actually practice loyalty, honesty, and respect for their employees. It's not as uncommon as you would like for us to believe.

Isaac Bruce was disrespected and lied to by the organization that he bent over backwards for, for 14 years, and every fan should be outraged!

So, if you find the disdain, disgust, hurt, anger, and outrage being exhibited by the fans annoying, get over it!

You get paid to report the sports news not to tell us how to feel!

I'm Happy So Far

I know it's way too early to be jumping for joy or anything, but I'm also not going to be as negative as some of the local writers are.

I'm impressed with the fact that Linehan has made a lot of visible changes within his staff showing that he could very well be finally admitting to himself that he simply screwed up last year.

I'm also happy that he publicly admitted that he had cut himself off from the players during the 2007 season, which explains why it looked like he was losing the players especially the key veterans. It takes a big man to admit that not only to himself but to the public.

All of this is a very good indication that he is more than willing to admit to his faults and is a man who is not set in his ways, who is willing to change his way of doing things and the way he thinks.

Last season I, along with most Rams fans, were ready to sever ties with him. But in light of what he has done so far, so early in the off season, I feel it merits giving the coach one more chance, and see what comes of it.

Linehan Takes a Look in the Mirror

Just when I had thrown in the towel on Linehan, he finally does something that actually makes sense. He somehow manages to convince Al Saunders to return to the Rams as Offensive Coordinator. That in itself is a miracle.

This is the first indication that Linehan has actually stepped back and begun to take a good look at himself in the mirror. This is his first step to admitting to the fans, to the organization, to the team, but more importantly to himself, that something was definitely not right. And that meant it had to begin with his ability to coach.

By hiring Saunders as OC he's openly admitted that he failed in his ability to coach the talent around him. Furthermore he has told Saunders that he will have complete control from offensive game planning to calling the plays. This is a big step in the right direction for the struggling Linehan.

Linehan has also acknowledged the fact that he put himself in a situation where he lost touch with his players....and this could explain those outbursts from some key players we saw during the season. This is the first step in moving back towards the kind of relationship that is needed between a head coach and his players.

If anything, so far, Linehan is trying to make amends and if he continues on his self-evaluation journey, he just might be able to salvage his job and this team.

If not, Linehan and the rest of the world knows that 2008 will be his last season in St. Louis.

Change Is Coming

With the passing of Georgia Frontiere the Rams now stand on the threshold of certain and perhaps immense change. Some may think uncertainty but that's unlikely. The certainty is ever present in the fact that Chip Rosenbloom now has control over the Rams.

Is this a good thing? Yes. Friendships and loyalties that his mother had had probably doesn't mean as much to Chip as they did to his mother. This is not to say that he doesn't care for his mothers friends, it's just that he is a smart enough man to understand that sometimes friendships must be scrutinized in a time of change.

Chip Rosenbloom, grew up with the Rams and certainly knows how his father and mother felt about the team and it's importance. And it would stand to reason that Chip would not want to continue to see his father and mother's "pride and joy" be swallowed up by the dark abyss the team has recently been struggling to climb out of.

Change on as grand a scale as our beloved Rams need will not happen overnight, nothing this big can ever happen overnight. And we as fans need to understand this, we need to be patient, change will come and it can only offer promises of a better future for our team.

Not Fair to Judge a Coach Because of Injuries?

Now isn't that what Shaw said? Did he not say that it was unfair to even consider firing Linehan because of all the injuries that occurred in 2007? I sure seem to recall him saying words to that effect, in fact on more than one occasion.

So if that is then the truth here, how was it fair to Paul Boudreau the offensive line coach, to fire him? It was his unit that was utterly decimated by injuries. Should he not been given the same type of treatment at Linehan?

Boudreau was not the problem and releasing him was not the answer and won't fix the multitude of problems this team is facing.

Olson's boring offense was part of the problem and getting rid of him makes sense, but now they are thinking of bringing in Cam Cameron, who may have an Air Coreyll style of coaching but he's yet another "loser" from Miami. Doesn't make sense, but then again, what things coming down from the front office have made sense in recent years?

The teams main problem remains coaching. Linehan has had two years to show whether or not he's got that special thing that makes a coach, that special something that turns players heads, and putting injuries aside, he simply does not have that intangible that sparks enthusiasm in the hearts of any of his players. There is where the problem lies.

But who am I? Just a fan looking in from the outside.