Texans/Rams game

Attended the Rams game yesterday and saw a very good effort by the Rams, which unfortunately fell short once again. I am impressed with the effort these players are giving, and I think it speaks well of their character, and of the leadership of the head coach. Many, many players/teams would be 'mailing it in' at this point in an abysmal season, and there is no sign of such a tendency by the Rams. It really is up to Billy DeVaney and the scouts at this point, to make moves and evaluate talent to help bring talented players on board. I think it will take multiple drafts and scouring of available free agents over the next several years to turn it around. WE have to be able to consistently make correct evaluations of players in the draft and available free agents. The right man is in place to do this successfully, in my opinion

Dejavu all over again

To quote Yogi, this offense seems like 'dejavu all over again'. I swear I've seen this from a Rams team before.. Jerry Rhome was the OC, Tony Banks was the QB in the earlier version. I recall attending a game between the Rams and Seahawks where the Seahawks got out to a 17-9 lead, and it felt to me like it may as well have been 47-9 because I knew the Rams were incapable of mustering any offense. Only problem with the comparison was that Kurt and Martz proved the very next year that the previous version had alot of talent, and it was a simple case of a poor OC and a poor QB holding it back. I'm afraid the present version of the Rams is a case of talent shortage, which is going to take longer to correct.

Liked what I saw!

Great effort by the Rams on Sunday! The team is buying into Spags program!

Great heart and scrappiness all over the field today.

Stay the course Ram Fans! With good drafts and Free agent selections to improve by getting more talented scrappy, tough players, this will be fun to watch develop!

GO RAMS!

Kool Aid

I guess I'm still drinking the Kool Aid folks, but with this season going the way it is, I am still hopeful for the Rams future.

What would make me very angry would be if this team was anywhere near this depth of poor performance, and was NOT making moves to turn the fortunes around. I think they have been doing so, and the recent trade with the Eagles is the latest example of that philosophy being in effect.

We should stay the course through this season and next before anyone starts calling for Spags or Billly to be replaced. The cupboard they inherited is embarrassingly short on talented players and it will take time.

If the team doesn't stay the course it will mean starting the same painful course all over again. Band aids and half-fixes will not do at this point, Rams need major rebuilding.

Hanging tough

This Rams team has NO QUIT in them. I love the way they hang in there and slug it out! Unfortunately they are short on talent, and the only remedies for that are longer term fixes. I may be accused of drinking the 'kool aid' but I do feel that once talent is connected with the attitude Spags is bringing to the team, we will see a long run of tough, competitive, contending Rams teams!

Laughingstock

Laughingstock is what the Rams are at present. I don't think its a fair characterization, but until the team starts to win on the field, its going to continue.

Sportswriters and commentators 'pile on' once the ball starts rolling in a fashion that would make Rodney Harrison blush. I was disgusted listening to a couple of schmucks on St Louis radio Sunday evening berated and ridiculed everything about the Rams. Listening to the venom on the airwaves from St Louis at present gives me another reason to appreciate how people like Devaney and Spagnuolo earn a pretty darn good salary!

I wouldn't put up with that load of feces on any job. I still believe these two fellas will get the organization turned around, and am amazed how many media and fans forget how they all were stating the fact that 'this will take a while' when Devaney assumed full authority of personnel decisions, and again when he hired Spags.

Yes the team sucks at present! That is obvious to all of us. The drastic steps which were taken in the offseason were an admission by Chip Rosenbloom that real, permanent, changes needed to be made. The Achilles heels(both of them) are far from or totally removed from the personnel decision 'loop' . It takes time. Its very ugly now, but real, sustained improvement is on the other side of this struggle!

Whew!

I have to admit, this season is looking mighty grim. Another pitiful day for the offense! i do feel that the team plays tough, particularly the defense, but, as has been said already by many commentators, there are far too many critical mistakes on a team whose talent level will not allow for that. I do have confidence in Spags and Billy, and will stay loyal, of course. This is a herculean task those 2 have committed themselves to, and I think they need fan support now more than they ever have or will again! Go Rams!

Haters

Looking at the coaches rating poll on ESPN website, I see that Spags is down into the 40 percentile range.

Makes me wonder how stupid and or delusional the Rams fan base is. The harsh rhetoric and bashing seem to be getting stronger on St Louis talk radio also. I could understand this if the organization hadn't taken the extreme steps they have within the organization to turn it around.

If the folks bashing and dissing the team at this point don't like what they see, even though we know its going to be a long process - don't let that door hit you in the butt on your way out the door to whatever winning bandwagon you want to hop onto!

Good Riddance!

Still Upbeat

Think we have to remain upbeat about our Rams! I see a team with a lot of holes, and I see a team that's bustin' their butts on the field.

Spagnuolo is instilling a work ethic in these players and its working. For the second half against Seattle the Rams were out of it, but still played hard. They fought right down to the end against the Redskins, and while Avery's fumble was so disappointing, lets remember they were in a position to win the game.

Stay the course with these players and these coaches and we will see a long upward line marking their improvement right into a contending team. The talent needs to be improved, and that will take time through free agency and the draft, but I feel happy that a smart, tough pair of people are in charge of the operation and am confident they will be successful!

Accountability

One of the first things which HAS to be in place for our Rams to turn the team around is Accountability.

I sincerely believe this will be adhered to under Coach Spagnuolo. We saw a stumbling start to the season yesterday, but need to keep remembering he and Billy Devaney inherited this mess and it will take time to straighten it out.

I personally would not relish the thought of facing Coach Spagnoulo if I screwed something up, and I dont think any member of the Rams roster does either.

It all has to start somewhere, and I think the Rams have 2 excellent people in Spags and Devaney in place to in turn put the rest of the team on notice that everyone is accountable to do their job to the best of their ability!

We are ready!

For sure, we are all ready for some football! I hope Marc Bulger isn't rusty due to his lack of playing time in the new offense. He has put a lot of time in studying it, but nothing can replace game experience. That is my main concern heading into the season.

I think the coaches have prepared the team as well as they can be, and as is always the case, now its up to the players to execute the coaches instructions.

I think the players will be held accountable under coach Spagnuolo, and this is the most important difference under this coach. They know they will have to answer to a demanding person who wont listen to excuses. This has been missing and will make a noticeable difference in team performance.

Go, you Rams!

Samkon Gado

I'm hoping Samkon Gado makes it through to the regular season roster. Cant help but root for the guy, he's a definite good citizen and a welcome contrast to to the prime time personalities like TO.

On the football field, he's doing well in preseason, well except for that stinker of a second game, when he and the entire team pretty much laid a rotten egg.

I think the more fresh faces(As long as they are talented fresh faces) the better, as everyone tries to clear away the stench of the last two seasons and turn this team around.

I close with another reminder for myself and all Rams fans, that we do need to give Billy DeVaney and Steve Spagnuolo TIME to get the team back on track! Patience has to be the key, and I think as fans, knowing they have shook up the entire organization, makes us more accepting of the fact that it indeed is going to be a gradual process to get the Rams back to a contender.

That's a good start!

I was very encouraged by the Rams performance against the Jets Friday night. Appeared to me Ryan had the Jets defense doing some very un-preseason like blitzing packages, which caught the Rams offense unprepared. This for the long run is a very good thing which should pay dividends down the road in the regular season. Not sure what Ryans' reason was, though his genes make me suspect it was a 'showboat' move. Whatever the reason, it helped the Rams and likely the Jets to prepare for the regular season far far more than hours on end of practice could have!

I was impressed with the way the entire Rams team just stayed with it and slugged it out the entire game. I think we are in for a pleasant surprise this year! A competitive team which is not playoff caliber, but one vastly improved from the past 2 seasons

Turnout for Scrimmage

Excellent turnout for a scrimmage was the case Friday August 7. I am hoping thats the first of many more encouraging signs coming from the Rams and their fans this summer and fall. Of course there was no admission fee, but still an overflow crowd for a facility holding 6500 people is a start. It appears the business and football side of the Rams staff is determined to work at restoring excellent commnity and fan relations, and I think fans are ready to give them a chance to turn it around. I do not think the fans would be as agreeable if the team had not basically reworked itself from top to bottom. I was one of the fans wanting Haslett to be hired as head coach, but I now feel it was critical to hire a new coach from outside the organization, and applaud their wisdom in doing that. I think we are in for an interesting year. I think the 2009 Rams will surprise the league and their fans with a much better level of play, and we will be at worst, within shouting distance of a .500 record!

Los Angeles Jaguars?

Saw an article on a sports website recently speculating about a possible move by the Jaguars from Jacksonville to LA. It was eerily familiar with some of the speculation we hear from some of the local St Louis writers. I think we should all keep in mind that to worry about that possibility at this point is foolish and will not accomplish anything except to give yourself nervous and stomach problems for no good reason. In my opinion, so many steps have to occur in sequence for any move to actually happen, and the earliest date it could possibly occur is so far off that it should not be a concern at all. Lets worry about whether that o-line will be able to protect Bulger, not whether United van lines will be at Rams Park in 2014!

We have hope!

I might well be drinking the Kool Aid, but I am feeling more confident about this team than I have in a very long time. Especially for the long term, I think the organization is in better shape than it has been since Carrol Rosenbloom died. Good capable people in the GM and Head coach positions should translate to long term improvement and stability, and less distraction from the task of fielding the best team possible year in and year out. Lets watch this good story develop and play out!

Much Angst about nothing!

The more I think about the 'stir' about the Rams being sold, the more I'm thinking that it's not something for St Louis area people to get all riled up about. We are talking 2014 before there's even a possibility of a new owner moving the team.

There are possibilities of Stan Kroenke or Dave Checketts being the new majority owner, and major concerns for anyone contemplating buying a professional team and moving it. All of these things seem to signal 'Chill, already'. If you are going to start worrying about the move possibility at this point, you may as well ask your doctor for a Nexium prescription now, because you will be working yourself towards an ulcer, and for the remotest of concerns.

The St Louis Post-Dispatch seems for the most part bent on 'stirring' this every so often, though the sportswriters have not really joined in that chorus, but writers trying to stir up taxpayers into looking out for a hand in their pocket looking for big bucks. Its much too far away and far too indefinite to be a concern. Lets just enjoy the revitalization of an organization.

New Ownership

Since I am within 100 miles of St Louis, the news that Chip and Lucia are putting the team for sale, and that there have been no 'nibbles' from St Louis area people as buyers is a bummer to me.

But I am also realistic and believe we should be thankful the two of them have started this organization down the right path which it has essentially strayed from ever since Steve Rosenbloom was fired.

Nothing but good in the Rams future if the new owners follow the plan setup by Chip, Lucia, and Billy Devaney, whether it be in St Louis or wherever.

One fact in St Louis favor is that I am hard pressed to name an available city with a better facility.. I'd be interested to hear possibilities. LA never has accomplished anything concrete on a new venue that I am aware of??

Welcome Jason

I may be in a minority, but I am very pleased with our first round draft pick. I think they HAD to address the Oline - no ifs,ors,buts, or maybes about it. Have to wonder whether some of the fan enchantment with Sanchez was with casual fans.Unitas Starr or Marino in their primes couldn't QB a team from flat on their back with a stinky snarling defensive lineman in their face!! There's still alot to fix, and all the picks may not work out, but I truly believe the Rams have a plan for a long term fix, and yes they do have a clue, in fact many clues as to how to implement that plan. Go Rams!

Very quiet on the Ram front

Seems as though it is really, really quiet right now on Rams news. I am not sure what to think of the signing of Kyle Boller - seems he is another QB who is skittish in the pocket. We need a stout Oline, oh, so very bad , for his and Bulgers sake.

I for one think it is foolish to look anywhere else with the first round pick other than the offensive line. Nowhere else is the need for improvement so desperate. I do agree with the Pace decision, simply because of the state of the rest of the team. I dont feel they can afford to rely on his health at this point, just as well go with a younger player while we are rebuilding and get them some experience.

I just feel confident we will see good sound moves in the free agent market, and on draft day as long as Devaney is making the decisions. I feel better about that process than I have since Georgia threw Steve Rosenbloom out of the organization 25 years ago.

You're Joshing me!

From a distance, it appears we may need to send a thank you note to the Bronco's organization for hiring Josh McDaniel so quick! All the furor between him and Jay Cutler is troublesome. My first thought was that Cutler is a crybaby wanting attention, but I really hadnt heard anything along those lines about him previously. At the very least, it isn't a good sign for a new coach to get ensnared in a controversy with his marquee QB right off the bat. Seems to be a major shortcoming on the communications side of his method of operation. Kindof sounds like that guy in New England he used to work for....

Tea Leaves Reading

I'm reading some tea leaves trying to determine whether the new regime at Rams Park is still on the right track. The tea leaves which point to the signing of Jason Brown, tagging OJ Atogwe, and signing Ron Bartell to a multi-year deal seem to indicate a fine future read for our Rams, or at least the beginnings of one. Also the release of Bennett and Trent Green bodes well. Trent is a class act and I wish him well, but his release in particular tells my leaves that Devaney and Spagnuolo are not afraid to make a tough decision if necessary. As for Bennett, he never was going to fit here. I think the original idea on him was that he was a bigger stronger receiver to go with the rabbits, but that bigger stronger receiver was hurt far more than anyone among the WR's.

It will be interesting to watch the FA signing and draft picks as time goes on. There is a plan in place for a change.

Interesting article on Bartell in the Post Dispatch today - he mentioned he had never had direct contact with the previous GM after his signing. Hmmm - not really surprising, I guess, in so many ways, Zygmunt had no business being in the position he was.

Slow time for football news

Not much news on the football front to write about. I imagine the new coaching staff is hibernating at Rams Park along about now figuring out what their plan will be for free agency and the draft. In ways this comes out like a 2 month poker game, as they and all NFL staffs play their cards real close to the vest until they have pounced and made their move. Free agents signed will give some hints of the direction a team will go in the draft, but there's no guarantees. I am very sure we have a GM who has a detailed plan he will share with the coaching staff and ask for and consider their input before putting the plan in operation for this year, and also in years to come. That simple statement, my friends, is something that could not be said of the Rams organization for a looonngg time. Thank goodness that time has arrived! Cant wait to see them get started!

PS to 'Letter to Billy Devaney'

In my last post I had said that I thought Billy should go with Jim Haslett unless someone just looked to be 'head and shoulders' above the rest of the candidates. I think Steve Spagnuolo turned out to be just that, especially in the area Of Leadership. I don't think they could have found a better more suited candidates for their needs, period. I think Rex Ryan had much more talent to work with than Steve did (plus I'm admittedly biased, because I absolutely could not stand Rex's arrogant and loud-mouthed dad). I am ready for some 'climate changes' at Rams Park!!

Letter To Billy Devaney

I think Mr Devaney knows a thing or a thousand things more about running a football team than I do, but I hope his line of thinking is to hire Jim Haslett, unless one of the other candidates is very clearly head and shoulders above the entire group, in which case anyone would hire that outstanding candidate. If everything seems pretty equal, I think the Rams would be smart to take advantage of Haslett's experience and already outlined plan to turn the franchise around. I do most definitely feel confident Devaney will make a smart, well thought out decision based on sound logic, which automatically makes it better than anything the previous regime did intentionally. I think they stumbled onto Vermeil accidentally, and even then they managed to royally tick off another highly respected coach (Jim Mora) with their mishandling of the vetting and hiring process on that occasion. There is a true professional making those decisions now, and it is long overdue! Go Rams! Go Billy!