It’s Over
December 30th, 2006 | by LA Bob |
“It’s over for the Rams, now that the New York Limping Giants have succeeded in besting the richest bunch of lousy football players in the National Football League, the Washington R-words, by a Ram-season-ending score of 34-28.
Looking back, it’s pretty easy to accept the Rams’ result this year, even if they don’t score a so-what victory over the Vikings tomorrow. 7-9 will get them a better draft position than 8-8, so, as a matter of fact at this point, I’m sort of rooting for the Rams to lose in Minnesota.
And speaking of ways that I am rooting for the Rams, here’s a list:
1. I am rooting for the Rams to take Marshall Faulk back onto a football field in 2007 ONLY if Faulk is absolutely 100% rehabilitated from his half-dozen or so knee surgeries over the last few years. Wasting time, effort and money on any other washed-up semi-Faulk will only keep another deserving player off the team. This must be a football decision. Sentiment can wait five years and express itself in Canton.
2. I am rooting for Scott Linehan to continue his hands-off policy for offensive play-calling. Let the Offensive Coordinator and the quarterbacks work it out. That was what Dick Vermeil did in 1999, and look what was allowed to happen. Even the OC that made 1999 so memorable could never get it right as the Head Coach. Linehan did the right thing. Whether Greg Olson is the right OC for the future, I don’t know.
3. I am rooting for the Rams’ think-tank personnel for the off-season free agent meat-market and the 2007 draft to concentrate on putting together the absolute best O- and D-Lines possible. It is amazing how great a group of otherwise mediocre backs, receivers and linebackers can look when they are playing behind a pair of great lines. It is equally amazing how bad a great group of backs, receivers and linebackers can look when they play behind bad lines. The line isn’t everything, but it HAS TO BE THE FIRST THING. In my opinion, the Rams have sufficient ability at the so-called “skills” positions. If every pick or free agent acquisition was a lineman this off-season, it wouldn’t bother me a bit. Emphasis on the D-line seems appropriate within the framework of that endeavor.
4. I am rooting for the fans in St Louis to get with the program. Unquestioned, unconditional and very VOCAL support are their obligation and crucial contribution to the creation of a home-field advantage that used to be ubiquitous but, in 2006, has all but disintegrated at the Edward Jones Dome. Gripe, second-guess, criticize and quarterback at the water-cooler all day Monday if you want to, but dognabbit, when you go to Rams games, do your duty. Nobody should have to beg you to do this. You should know it’s your job and nobody can do it for you. But if you are waiting around for somebody to beg, then fine. I’m not proud. Pretty please with sugar on top. There. Consider yourself begged.
Here’s hoping everybody who reads my stuff will have a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous 2007. And that the miracle of 1999 is about to repeat itself.
©2006 LA Bob
