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wv
ParticipantRandyK on the GSOT celebration
Rams’ Greatest Show Cast Reunites for 15th Anniversary
The St. Louis Rams celebrated the 15th anniversary of their Super Bowl championship Sunday night at Union Station, and could not have put on a better show in honoring The Greatest Show on Turf.
Rams fans were treated to a great setting, terrific food and an entertaining look back at one of the greatest stories in NFL history. More than 50 coaches, staff and players were on hand, and we got a chance to hear from almost all of them.
Isaac BruceIsaac Bruce was one of several Greatest Show members in attendance Sunday
There were several chords that were consistently struck, and they would all be beneficial for the current Rams. Numerous players talked about the family atmosphere fostered by head coach Dick Vermeil. The offensive linemen went out for dinner every week to strengthen their bond. The defensive line talked about how fun their room was – and how you better not be sensitive to be in there. Mike Jones mentored the linebackers, and second-year safety Billy Jenkins Jr. taught Dre Bly how to work like a pro. (For any current Rams who may need to mature as a professional, you can’t go wrong by watching the likes of Chris Long, James Laurinaitis, Kenny Britt and Jake Long for their effort and work ethic.)
But it went beyond position groups; it was a team effort. Running back Justin Watson mentioned that before the regular-season finale in Philadelphia, he looked around the locker room and said to himself, “I love all these guys.” Marshall Faulk, who was as brilliant conversing about that season as he was as a player, mentioned that while he scored the touchdowns and he’s in the Hall, he wouldn’t be if it weren’t for the others.
Kevin Warren, the team’s director of player programs, told a story about how Vermeil would have the different positions over for dinner, and Warren would be at all of them. After about 10 of these dinners, Warren asked Vermeil why he had the same menu every time – salad, potatoes and prime rib. Vermeil said “because I don’t ever want these guys talking to each other about these meals, and have someone think they’re less important than anyone else.” Vermeil was the best at making everyone feel important, and Warren’s story defines his personality in leading an organization.
The other common denominator among the players from that 1999 team was how smart and competitive they were. Faulk says he knew the team was special after its first loss, in Tennessee. The heartbreaking defeat ended a season-opening six-game winning streak. Faulk said the locker room after that game was sullen, with players crying and upset. As he pointed out, everyone loves winning; but it was the obvious pain of losing that made him believe that team was special.
Kurt Warner talked about the intelligence of the offense. It seems amazing, but Mike Martz would go into games with 200 passing plays available. At times Martz would draw up plays, but the team wouldn’t practice them. Warner said on more than one occasion, Martz would call such a play, and it would be run as if it had been practiced a hundred times and wind up in the end zone for a touchdown. And Roland Williams mentioned that on the first touchdown pass of that ’99 season from Warner, he was the fifth option in the pattern.
Everyone associated with that team knew that they were in a special place and time, and that feeling permeated the evening. To a man, they were thankful to the fans, and they remember how loud and crazy the Edward Jones Dome was that season. Isaac Bruce, Bly, Az Hakim, Torry Holt and Vermeil all made a point to talk about the incredible support that team received. They know how unique what they did was. Their ascent wasn’t a run-of-the-mill worst-to-first situation because their team was so talented, and they sustained their excellence for three seasons with a team that already has one offensive Hall of Fame inductee in Faulk, and could have four more in Warner, Holt, Bruce and Orlando Pace.
Although they didn’t appear on stage, it was also great to hear that Georgia Frontiere’s offspring, Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez, were on hand representing their mother. Although there was some clear dysfunction in the front office before and after Vermeil’s arrival, Georgia made a great choice in bringing him back to the franchise, and he laid the groundwork for the stretch in which the St. Louis Rams enjoyed their only four winning seasons in a five-year span.
Regardless of where the franchise lands in the next few years, nobody can take away the great times and great memories we have from that run. And at Union Station on Sunday night, the team did a fantastic job of letting us relive our only Super Bowl championship.
[www.101sports.com]
wv
ParticipantBe that as it may, after the loss at home, there’s no way the Seahawks will fall 1.5 games behind in the division…to the Rams.
Not even if Kurt Warner arrived on a Lightning Bolt with Marshall Faulk and Isaac Bruce by his side…
I guarantee
a Rams win 🙂w
vwv
ParticipantYeah, good stuff as always.
Weird thing iz — and i’ll repeat
what i wrote earlier —
As GawdAwful as the rams have looked,
change two penalties-that-werent-penalties
(Sims, Cook) and the Rams are 3-2.So, maybe its not quite as
bad as it seems.w
vwv
Participanti was livid on the Cook call and I do believe that it was pivotal. but every call that went against the RAMS you can redflag those against SF too….. I mean J. Jenkins grabbed Crabtree in the 4th and nothing was called.
but until the RAMS get and hit the QB, the RAMS won’t win many games… the Rams lost because Kapernick passed for 343 yards to 8 different receivers who were constantly wide open because there is no pressure on the QB.
Well about 75 of those yards should never
ever have happened.w
vwv
ParticipantEverything should be up for a challenge. And get rid of the silly *2 challenges per half and if you’re wrong you lose a timeout* nonsense.
Give every coach 4 challenges per game. Whether they get it right or wrong is irrelevant. Once you use up your 4, you’re done. Even if the coach gets all of them right.
That PI call on Cook lost the game. It was at a minimum a 10 point swing, probably a 14 point swing.
Strange season. As bad as the Rams have
looked, if you could ‘correct’ two penalty calls
(Sims, Cook) the rams,
likely would be
be 3-2.w
vwv
ParticipantSnead wants them to be more
’emotionally intelligent’w
vwv
ParticipantI might have put some money on the rams if it was 75 lol. But I’d have to think about it.
Heck i guess I’m a dreamer,
cause I’d put money on the Rams
if it was 55. Maybe even 45.w
vwv
Participanthttp://www.stlouisrams.com/videos/videos/In-the-Film-Room-with-Jon-Gruden/02ef564c-89d9-46ec-a04a-517afd373fcb
gruden on AustinD
after eagle gamewv
ParticipantRams stepped in it last night. Looked like they were either horribly out coached or quit in the second half. Neither shines favorably on Fisher. Another top five pick. I watched Mariotta and Hundley on Saturday – came away feeling meh?
The ode to the 99 team was nice but it seemed like a farewell to St Louis as much as an honor.
So, I’m curious who’s getting paid more to force the Rams to move to LA – the refs, Kroenke, or Fisher.
wv-mom asked me today,
“why are you still a rams fan?”i tried to explain to her
that the Steelers once went 25 years
without a playoff appearance.she just rolled her eyes
w
v
wiki:
“…The Steelers’ history of bad luck changed with the hiring of coach Chuck Noll for the 1969 season. Noll’s most remarkable talent was in his draft selections, taking Hall of Famers “Mean” Joe Greene in 1969, Terry Bradshaw and Mel Blount in 1970, Jack Ham in 1971, Franco Harris in 1972,[13] and finally, in 1974, pulling off the incredible feat of selecting four Hall of Famers in one draft year, Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, and Mike Webster.[14] The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 1974 draft was their best ever; no other team has ever drafted four future Hall of Famers in one year, and only very few (including the 1970 Steelers) have drafted two or more in one year…”-
This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by
wv.
wv
ParticipantLloyd was burning up the league
before that 80 yarder, i see:Zero receptions in game one.
One reception in game 2
Two in game 3
Three in game four.
And one in the ram game.http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LloyBr00.htm
w
vwv
Participant<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>PA Ram wrote:</div>
Actually that dog looks like me after most Rams games.Look, breaking under pressure, being mentally weak–I don’t know, maybe. I can’t get inside their heads. But if that’s the problem you’d better draft some new players because I don’t see how you “coach” that out of them. That seems to be a mental make-up kind of thing–you either have mental toughness or you don’t.
Why suddenly this year?
This year they can’t handle anything wrong that goes against them?
How does that happen?
I think that the coaches HAVE to take responsibility–and particularly Greg Williams. He was the one big coaching change and look at the result. From where this defense was–to where they are–and having MORE talent? I’m taking the Occam’s razor approach and asking–what has changed? Greg Williams. The result is–terrible. Now you can say–new scheme, players aren’t adjusting and all that. But I don’t buy it. If they can’t execute the new scheme for whatever reason–find one they can.
And after the game, Ray Lewis and some of the other players were dumbfounded at the scheme on that 80 yard touchdown. They called it “high school football”. Lewis was incredulous they would have been set up like that and even in his comments after the game, Fisher said it was a mistake.
That’s a glaring one.
How many foul-ups or “high school football” moments aren’t noticed?
I am thoroughly disgusted with Greg Williams. I believe it was a mistake to bring him in and I’d be happy if he took his wonderful reputation and moved on to the next team.
You can’t coach them out of it and it takes too long to draft new players.
Like all teams that gain confidence, you can only do one thing…win a “tide-turning” game.
I don’t know how many times I have watched “America’s Game,” the show that does an hour long take on great seasons by superbowl winning teams, and heard this: xyz game turned it around, after that we were playing with real confidence.
It’s the only way. Hiring a new coach won’t change it. Waiting to develop new draftees won’t change it. Fisher doing this or that or one thing or another won’t change it.
Ok, then I’m in favor
of winning a
tide-turning game.w
v
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This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by
wv.
wv
Participantwv wrote:
21Dog wrote:
wv wrote:
I have not seen the game yet,
but did 500 year-old Brandon Lloyd
actually outrun JJ ?
Is Lloyd faster than JJ?w
vWord to the wise (I’m giving you credit for wisdom, wv).
Don’t watch it.
Brutal. Inexcusable.
Watched the replay of it.
O dear.
One of the worst regular-season
plays I’ve seen from a ram CB
in my 40+ years of watching ram
football.JJ loves the big plays
dont he.w
vYep.
Lloyd is slow. We knew that when he was a Ram and is older now. Jenkins is much faster.
Jenkins made a bigtime, primetime, big circus mistake. He peeked in the backfield with one on one coverage late in a half.
You don’t do that.
ESPN tried to make it about the coverage, so there was supposed to be safety help.
No…Jenkins is SUPPOSED TO KNOW not to do that.
He knows he’s supposed to know that. That’s why he’s hiding under the table like a cowering dog.
Maybe they draft a CB high
next year.w
vwv
ParticipantIt’s bad. I’m sure they can improve but I just haven’t seen anything that makes me think they will. I agree the team lacks mental toughness. You can almost feel the team giving up at times. I knew the game was over when SF got the TD right before the half. It wasn’t just a momentum swing. It was over.
I hope things improve but I have no expectations they will.
Think they can beat
Seattle in St.Louis?I do.
w
vwv
ParticipantActually that dog looks like me after most Rams games.
Look, breaking under pressure, being mentally weak–I don’t know, maybe. I can’t get inside their heads. But if that’s the problem you’d better draft some new players because I don’t see how you “coach” that out of them. That seems to be a mental make-up kind of thing–you either have mental toughness or you don’t.
Why suddenly this year?
This year they can’t handle anything wrong that goes against them?
How does that happen?
I think that the coaches HAVE to take responsibility–and particularly Greg Williams. He was the one big coaching change and look at the result. From where this defense was–to where they are–and having MORE talent? I’m taking the Occam’s razor approach and asking–what has changed? Greg Williams. The result is–terrible. Now you can say–new scheme, players aren’t adjusting and all that. But I don’t buy it. If they can’t execute the new scheme for whatever reason–find one they can.
And after the game, Ray Lewis and some of the other players were dumbfounded at the scheme on that 80 yard touchdown. They called it “high school football”. Lewis was incredulous they would have been set up like that and even in his comments after the game, Fisher said it was a mistake.
That’s a glaring one.
How many foul-ups or “high school football” moments aren’t noticed?
I am thoroughly disgusted with Greg Williams. I believe it was a mistake to bring him in and I’d be happy if he took his wonderful reputation and moved on to the next team.
Well, when Spags hired McD
it was an utter disaster at first
but it got better as the season went
along didnt it?Perhaps — I’m not predicting just hoping —
but perhaps the Ram players will get
better as they become more familiar
with GW’s approach. I dunno.If not, they get to draft
a top three player.Sigh.
w
vwv
Participantwv wrote:
I have not seen the game yet,
but did 500 year-old Brandon Lloyd
actually outrun JJ ?
Is Lloyd faster than JJ?w
vWord to the wise (I’m giving you credit for wisdom, wv).
Don’t watch it.
Brutal. Inexcusable.
Watched the replay of it.
O dear.
One of the worst regular-season
plays I’ve seen from a ram CB
in my 40+ years of watching ram
football.JJ loves the big plays
dont he.w
vwv
Participant<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>wv wrote:</div>
So, can they salvage this season, 21?
Do you think they can have a
good second half of the year?Lots of games left
for this messy-confused-infuriating-team.w
vHate being doom and gloom guy, but I don’t see it getting any better than 3-13.
The RG3 trade gave this team a chance to rebuild with young players. Early returns aren’t promising. Looking like the Dickerson trade results so far.
Wow. 3-13.
I dunno. I have no idea,
but my guess is they start
to put it together
in the second half of the season.It certainly looks like GW has
made a mess of the defense though.The offense just seems to involve
a couple parts on the OLine.The story for me right now is
the Rams Coaching staff: What will they do?
What can they do? They
are gonna get withering heat now.
The fans are lighting the torches.w
v-
This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by
wv.
wv
ParticipantI have not seen the game yet,
but did 500 year-old Brandon Lloyd
actually outrun JJ ?
Is Lloyd faster than JJ?w
vwv
ParticipantEven Fredo thinks the Rams are weak.
Folded up like a cheap suit at the first signs of adversity last night (the Cook call and the pass to Lloyd).
So, can they salvage this season, 21?
Do you think they can have a
good second half of the year?Lots of games left
for this messy-confused-infuriating-team.w
v-
This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by
wv.
wv
ParticipantI wonder if there’s anything different
the coaches can do — or if they
just need to ‘believe’ and stay
the course.They are going to feel more heat
now than at any time since
Fisher got here.It will be interesting to see
what Fisher does.This sure doesnt seem like
what we tend to think of
when we think of a
Jeff Fisher team.w
v-
This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by
wv.
wv
ParticipantWell…um….
things are darkest,
before dawn.Thats all i got.
w
vwv
ParticipantMackeyser wrote:
Well, that’s part of the “evidence” wv.Far too many games where the much better team is severely penalized with what seems like the sole purpose of either keeping the game close or keeping a team from running away from division opponents and clinching a playoff berth too early.
I mean, the NFL has a HUGE stake in the NFL playoffs being decided in the final week. Having a bunch of teams sit at 12-2 heading into week 15 pretty much seals the deal and only has a few teams fighting for wild card berths…
I can get behind that. Parity is extremely important for increasing revenue. The more meaningful the games, the more viewers they’ll have. More viewers = more $$$.
Well, im skeptical. If the league’s Refs were
trying to keep games interesting, why did Seattle Blow
out Denver in the Super Bowl? Why didnt
the Refs keep it close for the ratings?
Etc.w
vwv
ParticipantHome teams were 9-3-1 this week. That includes teams like Seattle losing, but it was to Dallas.
And I wasn’t at ALL surprised to hear and read people say that the NFL “needs” teams like Dallas to be good. What a crock of shit.
So, the NFL doesn’t “need” New York to be good? It’s not a bigger media market than Dallas? Chicago doesn’t “need” to be good?
I’d be THRILLED…all caps, bolded, underlined, extra large type… with orchestral fanfare… if the Rams could pull out the win.
I don’t even really care how (other than cheating). Don’t want that.
Well i heard one tv-celebrity-guy say
the league needs Dallas to either
be Real Good, Or, Real Bad.
There’s drama in either story.Thats just how some tv-celebrity-pundits
think,
i think.Rams can win this game, and any other
game if they dont turn it over.w
vwv
ParticipantWell, i have no idea. Its pretty much ‘unknowable.’
I am ‘open to the possibility’
that individual refs are corrupt
and take bribes sometimes. In
fact I’d say thats almost inevitable.As to a general conspiracy involving
multiple refs tipping games in various directions
for various reasons — Well, again,
I’m ‘open to the possibility’
of it, but I doubt it. I’m a skeptic
until somebody shows me some real proof.Having said all that,
i do think it is highly unlikely
that one team commits ten penalties
and another team only commits one, etc.
Thats just really unlikely, imho.
So, i cant explain that kind of thing.
It vexes me. I think i remember a time
when refs kinda-sorta ‘evened things out’
if one team was penalized harshly.
Thats how i remember it in the olden
days, anyway.w
vOctober 13, 2014 at 7:31 am in reply to: Greg Robinson still awaiting his opportunity — Wagoner #9532wv
Participantjrry32
The choice isn’t A) get an immediate impact player that turns into a stud or B) get a player that develops into a stud a couple years down the road. It’s more of a percentage breakdown. I actually just ran the numbers out of curiosity, for the players drafted in the first round from 2000 to 2004(did this so the final class would have a decade in the league so there was no question about what a guy developed into) the percentage breakdown is:
15% are immediate impact players that develop into studs
15% are not immediate impact players that develop into studs
15% are immediate impact players that develop into starters (but not studs)
15% are not immediate impact players that develop into starters(but not studs)
40% are busts
So I’m not going to complain if it takes a guy 2-3 years to develop into a stud or even a quality starter because he could have very well been a bust. And that’s ONLY looking at FIRST ROUND PICKS over that 5 year period.
Schemes, playbooks, responsibilities, and terminology differ greatly from college football to pro football. It’s not something you just know from playing football; it’s something you have to learn. It’s not about learning HOW to block. It’s about knowing what to do on each given play based on what the defense is showing both pre and post-snap.
I can easily believe that Robinson didn’t/doesn’t understand what’s going on enough to be more productive than Joseph because I’ve seen other young players forced onto the field in similar circumstances and make tons of mental errors due to that…errors that really hurt their team and hindered that player’s development.
People underestimate the mental side of playing on the line. If Robinson can’t be trusted to decipher and pick-up blitzes/stunts, he’s more of a liability than Joseph.
Joseph is good for a few irritatingly bad plays each game but doesn’t screw up on every play. If Robinson goes out there and can’t pick the blitz up, he’s going to get Davis pummeled. Because teams will recognize that and blitz the hell out of him. Worst of all, you risk destroying Robinson’s confidence and undoing the technical work you’ve done to this point. The Rams will get him on the field when he’s ready. If we know that Joseph is bad, you better bet the Rams do.
Why can other rookies start and be successful? Players mature and learn at their own pace…just like people. Some learn quicker than others. Some are more ready because of practical experience than others. Keep in mind that Matthews was a Senior, Robinson was a Sophomore. Matthews started four years in college. Robinson started two years in college. Matthews is the son of a HOF NFL OL and a current NFL OL Coach.
Hopefully, Robinson can be the difference maker on the OL when he plays.
Well, but Snisher could have chosen
a stud who started immediately – Matthews.
We know Matthews wont be a ‘bust’.So did Snisher make the right pick?
Robinson is gonna have to be
better than Matthews
for it to have been the right pick.w
vwv
ParticipantIt’s early. And there are too many unknowns. But…here’s what I see:
1. Davis is better than Bradford already
2. Bradford is better than Davis & he can come back
3. Bradford may be better than Davis but he can’t come back, and Davis is fine
4. Davis isn’t good enough, Bradford can’t come back, so draft a namebrand college kid high in the draft
5. If Davis improves and Bradford can come back, interesting problem to haveIts a fascinating issue and i think its
the Rams-story of the year – Austin Davis.Bradford and Davis are so…different.
Hard to say who’s ‘better’ but they ‘are’
different.Its way too early to know for sure what
exactly they have in AustinD,
but IF (and only if) he continues to improve…I would
probably ‘prefer’ his game to Bradford’s game.If Austin is gonna continue to miss blitzers,
fail at crunch time and be a turnover machine,
then, he’s just gonna be a good gunslinger-backup.But i suspect, he is gonna improve and i suspect
the Rams have themselves a ram=version of Romo.
Which is fine with me.w
vwv
ParticipantYeah, i saw that too.
Bucky is gone and
Ungulate.w
vwv
ParticipantTurnovers.
w
vwv
ParticipantGood stuff as usual from GC.
He makes me smile sometimes
when he’s asked simplistic questions.I disagree with GC about AustinD, btw.
I think his ceiling is higher than
“midrange quality starter”w
v-
This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by
wv.
October 10, 2014 at 1:58 pm in reply to: Greg Robinson still awaiting his opportunity — Wagoner #9422wv
ParticipantI still like the Robinson pick.
But Matthews was certainly
the safer pick.w
vwv
ParticipantHas anyone died or gone to prison
from that 99 team?Happy question, i know.
w
v -
This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by
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