Tough decisions ahead on several Rams vets
GLENDALE, Ariz. - In what almost surely was his last game in a Rams uniform, 37-year-old center Andy McCollum was one of the team’s four captains for the pregame toss. McCollum made the right call - heads - and the Rams received to start against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Rams got a 37-yard Jeff Wilkins field goal and a 3-0 lead on that first series. But the Cardinals evened it on their opening drive, and the Rams never led again in a 48-19 loss in Bill Bidwill’s barrel-cactus-shaped stadium in the desert.
At 3-13, the Rams finished with their worst record since moving in 1995 to St. Louis - from where Bidwill had vacated in 1988. Times might be rough for the Rams right now, but consider this: Sunday’s win gave the Big Red an 8-8 record and only its third non-losing mark in 20 seasons here.
Afterward, wideout Torry Holt wondered whether in addition to McCollum, he might’ve seen the last of fellow wideout Isaac Bruce and perhaps even kicker Jeff Wilkins as teammates.
“That’s an interesting question. Obviously there’s been some speculation about quite a few of the guys who have been around for a while,” Holt said. “The organization is going to have some decisions to make. It’ll be interesting to see how it goes.”
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Notes & quotes:
>>Rookie Derek Stanley, who has been returning kicks lately, got in his first snaps at WR. He didn’t have a ball thrown his way, but he picked up 5 yards on an end-around carry.
>>The visiting media “contingent” consisted of three Post-Dispatch writers. Channel 4’s Steve Savard, who does the Rams’ play-by-lay on radio, was the lone TV reporter in the building; no representative from a St. Louis radio station was on site.
>>Did you see T Alex Barron’s tackle “try” on Antrel Rolle’s 47-yard interception for a TD in the second quarter? Any matador would’ve been proud.
>>FS Oshiomogho Atogwe nabbed his eight interception (and returned it 52 yards for his first career TD). It marks the most Rams picks in a season since CB Dexter McCleon had eight in 2000.
All for now. . .
Hey All,
What ever happed to this guy? I haven’t head from this hosebag in quite some time. You sure do know your football ram11!!!!!!!!
Another frigin fly-by-night fan who doesn’t know sh*t
Football is for life, not for the moment. Keep listening to Slaten you loser!
PS
It’s firing, not fireing you moron
DID ANYONE SEE THE RAMS BEAT THE BRONCOS THIS PAST WEEKEND. OH I’M SORRY THAT WAS THE LIONS BEATING THE CRAP OUT OF THE BRONCOS. NOTICE ANYTHING FAMILIAR ABOUT THE WAY THE LIONS WON. THE LIONS LOOK MORE AND MORE LIKE THE RAMS WEEK AFTER WEEK. WHY? MARTZ HAS TURNED THAT TEAM COMPLETELY AROUND.
I’M ACTUALLY VERY HAPPY FOR MATZ HE DESERVES TO BE WITH A TEAM THAT APPRECIATES GOOD COACHING.
TOO BAD FOR THE RAMS AND THEIR FANS, THAT WE ARE STUCK WITH LINEHAN THIS YEAR, AND PROBABLY NEXT YEAR.
FRONT OFFICE NEEDS TO PULL THIER HEADS OUT OF THEIR A$$ AND LOOK FOR A HEAD COACH THAT CAN BRING THE RAMS BACK TO WHERE THEY BELONG. THAT IS ON TOP OF THE NFC WEST AND NFC.
MARTZ IS LAUGHING HIS YOU KNOW WHAT OFF SEEING WHAT THE RAMS HAVE COME TO IN JUST 2 YEARS AFTER HIS FIREING.
ENJOY IT MARTZ YOU EARNED IT
Comment by RAM11 — November 5, 2007 @ 1:29 pm
This clown Linehan looks like a deer caught in the headlights on the sideline!
Olson and Boudreau are just scapegoats in this situation. Linehan has shown that he is not a team player, has no leadership skills, and has lost the respect of his team and staff. If he had a manly bone in his body he would pack his bags instead of throwing his staff under the bus. Shame on you, Scott Linehan.
I,m afraid John Shaw is making a mistake by retaining Linehan, yes he is throwing coaches under the bus.Although Offensive line coach could not get 1 yard for a touch down and so many spots this year doesn’t say much for his ability anybody off the street could do that so I think that’s a good move to replace him even with all the injuries.
But it is quite evident to me and many others the players have turned against Linehan highly regarde players who have been to a Super Bowl question why when they point something out to the coach during a game he just dismiss them. Issac Bruce should be resigned he’s still a hell of a reciever and why would you get rid of Wilkins even though his kick off are falling shorter he’s still man when it’s on the line.
The only coaches Linehan hires are buddies and have been dismissed from teams they were on. I want the Martz attack back, he can work with a good running back and get him yards look what Faulk did while he was here.
Linehan can not get back the respect from his players and without that they will be bad again. He’s not the right fit for this team are any team right now he needs to change and i don’t believe he can.
Linehan is a loser down here in Miami, and now he has tarnished my Rams. He brought (at best) fair and/or bad players with him. They need to cut him loose now while they still have a decent team to work with. PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR PLAYERS & FANS!!!
I AGREE THAT LINEHAN HAS TO GO!!! BILL COWER IS STILL OUT THERE?????? WE NEED A NO BULS..T COACH WHO HAS THE RESPECT OF HIS TEAM AND THE FANS. THE DOME WILL BE A GHOST TOWN IF THEY CANT TURN THIS THING AROUND. ISAAC HAS TO RETIRE AS A RAM, WHENEVER THAT MAY BE. HE STILL IS A QUALITY RECEIVER AND A CLASS ACT. WILKINS IS STILL ONE OF THE BEST KICKERS OUT THERE. FIND SOMEONE TO HANDLE THE KICKOFF DUTIES AND LET WILK DO HIS THING. SPECIAL TEAMS, AGAIN!!!! WHY CANT WE FIND A COACH WITH A COVER SCHEME WE CAN PULL OFF? WHY CANT WE FIND A COUPLE GOOD SPECIAL TEAM PLAYERS? WHY DID WE CUT HEDGECOCK???? THE GIANTS LOVE HIM AND LOOK WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR THAT TEAM!! OVERHAUL TIME!!
I understand that the Rans are struggling. I do believe it has a lot to do with Linehan, but it take time to build a team under new management. I do recall that the Rams were going downhill under the Martz era. The team at that time was solid but it was not a playoff team. The structure of the team had to change with the retirement of Faulk. The team at that time was also built on speed. The Rams are old and slower than, ”fastest show on turf” days. So I will give Linehan another year, but if the stands are empty it is because the fans are PISS POOR! I love my St. Louis football RAMS!!! Good or bad.
Last year Linehan coach Mike Martz team to a 8-8 season. I am a life long RAM. I turn a hold entire room in my house into a RAMS DEN. Until the team gets a new GM I only see them getting, if It could’nt happen, Worse FIRE Linehan and let Hanslett leave with him. Injuries? Every team in league had them. With the same offensive line, on IR you have the same result. Let Pace go, get if anything for him and bring in some young blood on that O-line.
I think it is time for the Rams to spend the money on a Great Running back,I think picking at # 2
Darren Mcfadden would be great and trade Jackson for a second round pick or 2.Jackson has had back and neck problems,we need a back like Eric Dickerson again.
Jim,
This has to be the lamest thing I’ve ever heard… Steve Jackson is a great RB and will only get better and why the heck would we want to trade Steven Jackson? He’s one of the best running backs in league right now. (when healthy) He’s not the problem, if we’re going to point fingers let’s start with the O-line, Defense and Special teams. Let’s hypothetically say we’re shopping Jackson why in the world would we settle for a second rounder are you kidding me? Jackson is young and hasn’t hit his prime and trading him is out of the question… What the front office needs to do is revamp/overhaul that sorry a$$ O-line and if they don’t get it fixed buy next year you can expect more of the same thing Steven Jackson and Mark Bulger on the shelf…
*If the rest of the team played with the passion, desire, aggressiveness and heart as Jackson plays we would be playing this Sunday…