Rams go down in historic fashion
PHILADELPHIA — Wow . . . just wow.
Those of us who have been witness to all the Rams practices since the start of training camp, who engaged in hours of discussion and conducted dozens of interviews with players, coaches and team execs, never saw this coming. There is hardly a way to describe how hard the Rams fell Sunday in their season-opening 38-3 loss to the Eagles.
“I don’t know what to tell you,” QB Marc Bulger said. “It’s terrible. That’s about as bad as you can get beat in the NFL.”
In fact, the Rams never had been beaten as badly on opening day in franchise history. And they’d been defeated more decisively only twice overall since moving from LA in 1995.
A bright sun was high in the sky in Philly, but it was a dark, dark day for a club trying to rebound from last year’s 3-13 debacle.
The Rams did almost nothing on offense: just 166 total yards and a stunning 0-for-11 on third downs. The defense surrendered 522 yards, the second-highest total in “St. Louis” Rams annals.
“I think discouraged is not a very good word; I refuse to use it,” coach Scott Linehan said. “I’m very disappointed, though. We’ve got to use it as motivation to not go back here. We expect to play a lot better next week.”
That would be when the New York Giants — the defending Super Bowl champs — come to the Edward Jones Dome. Not exactly a great recipe for redemption, eh?
Grasping for any positive karma, CB Ron Bartell used the ‘07 Giants as a beacon of hope for the staggered Rams. The Giants lost their first two games, 45-35 to the Cowboys and 35-13 to the Packers. They went 14-4 thereafter, including their 4-0 march through the playoffs.
“They came out in Week 1 and laid an egg, just like us. And they ended up winning the Super Bowl,” Bartell noted. “So you could look at that situation and get some confidence with it. . . . It’s a marathon, not a race. We have 15 more” games to go.
True. But the Rams really need to lace up their running shoes and get moving.
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Notes & quotes:
>>None of the Rams’ injuries appeared to be serious, with the possible exception of WR Drew Bennett (foot). He’ll have an MRI Monday.
>>TE Randy McMichael was Bulger’s favorite target, with five catches for 77 yards.
>>After getting burned twice on long passes, CB Tye Hill was replaced in the base defense by Fakhir Brown. Hill became the nickel back.
>>Brown reported no problems with his left shoulder, which kept him out virtually the entire preseason after he was hurt in the first practice at training camp. “It turned out pretty good,” Brown said. “I didn’t have to make any hard contact on it.”
>>The Rams secondary slogged through an awful day, and at times it looked as if confusion was the culprit. No so, insisted S Oshiomogho Atogwe. “No, we weren’t confused,” he said. “They executed their plays very well. And on those plays, they beat us.”
>>Donnie Jones punted a whopping 10 times. He averaged 48.5 yards (38.8 net).
>>According to the unofficial press-box stats, newcomer Gary Stills had a team-high two special-teams tackles.
>>DE James Hall was the Rams’ top tackler, with 10. He entered the game after Leonard Little tweaked a hamstring on the game’s first series.
>>Bulger committed the only Rams fumble, and he recovered it.
>>Nice day for Philly rookie DeSean Jackson. He caught six passes for 106 yards and averaged 12.1 yards on eight punt returns.
>>The Rams seriously considered drafting Jackson in the second round, but instead made Donnie Avery the first wide receiver taken. Avery was out Sunday with a sprained knee.
All for now . . . more after Linehan’s media session Monday afternoon.
How can any pro team be this unprepared??? Phily is apparently pretty good but my word, the Rams were just embarrassing! Im just a fan with no real expertise but it just plain as day… Linehan is not head coaching material. I was waiting on todays game to see about buying season tickets. NOT! I wasn’t expecting a win on the road but at least some show of improvement. BTW. Yeah Leonard… for sure this team will not be 3 and 13… more like 1 and 15!!! Sad. Very sad.
I think the Rams ownership should make a statement and fire Linehan today! That performance was unacceptable! If they have another bad year, and we all know they will, he won’t be back anyway.
Ram fan for 40+ years and I have never seen a team so poorly prepared to play. I think they are used to losing. No competitive fire on either side of the ball. If not for Donnie Jones Philly scores 50+
Try to lure Bill Cower for next year. If they lose to NYG, fire Linehan.
It is obvious something is horribly wrong with this franchise. As I watched the game yesterday or what I could bear to watch, I couldn’t help wondering “What happened to the Greatest Show on Turf”? Most would have you believe the blame falls on Linehan but I think it is much deeper. Who is doing the drafting and team decisions. Drafing Jimmy kennedy and Damione Lewis and passing on Shawn Merriman. Letting Kevin Curtis and Mike Furrey go and bringing in Drew Bennett. It is obvious that Desean Jackson and James Hardy are going to be top playmakers in this league but we passed on them for Donnie Avery. So whoever is making the personel decisions for the franchise I would like to say “You’re doing a heck of a job Brownie”
Everyone who seems to care somewhat about the St. Louis RAMS seem to be making alot of sense, but owners don’t seem to be listing. Linehan, Hasslett, other management as well as some of he players need to be FIRED. The same ole RAMS. First mistake was letting Kurt Warner go, and some of the former RAMS players that should have stayed. How can a team lose so bad and DON’T even care. No one tried, No one cared…they are getting PAID to lose. This is a DISGRACE to Georgia, this is the way to pay honor to a lady that cared so much about her team? And as big as Steven Jackson is all he could pick up was 40 yards, after getting a new multi-million dollar contract? Be for real. And what happen to the days of Dante Hall? I could come in and play better than these LOSERS. Yes LOSERS. if i was in St. Louis i wouldn’t even show up for a game. Maybe all the fans need to PICKET outside the RAMS corp. office. 3-13 last year hell im predicting a 1-15 season this year. they all are playing like COWARDS. Every team has HEART except the same ole RAMS, what ever happen to the days of the Greatest Team on Turf??
I try to keep sports in their proper place in life. I try not to let losses by highly compensated pro-atheletes bother me. I have to confess I have been extremely grouchy since I wasted a sunny afternoon watching that horrid effort. I am ashamed of the Rams organization. I am a 33 year fan who has endured too many games similar to this one. I have never liked Shaw as GM, Not a Ziggy fan. I didn’t care for Georgia (RIP) as an owner. I felt , ultimatley, it was their fault we were such a “soft” team who can’t draft worth a damn. I also hold Scott Linehan accountable for his team looking so awful and carrying the posture of a bunch of losers. One only had to see Scott in the first quarter to recognize he was already defeated. If I was coach I would be throwing my reputation as a “nice guy” out the door. I would be up and down these guys without mercy. They played like quitters.That’s how a majority of us think of them. They ALL need a kick in the arse.
Listen boys….snap out of it, get PO’d that the rest of the league considers the franchise, the team, and the players a joke.
DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!! TIME TO MOVE FORWARD … BEFORE WE ALL STOP CARING!!
Bulger & Linehan must go. I never thought Bulger was a leader even though he won a lot of games - Give us someone who get excited - Bulger looks like a whipped pup! Linehan - well - he is just not meant to be a head coach. Rams were un-prepared for the Eagles. Do something quick so that maybe next year we will have something to look forward to!
Unbelievable and inexecusable. Monday night’s games pending, every team in the NFL has scored a touchdown in their opening game - but one. They begin this year like the ended last year - flat. It was frustrating to hear the game announcers speak of the lack of life on the Rams sideline. This team needs leadership and attitude. Rams goal for next week: keep the opponents starting quaterback in the game for 4 quarters.
Disgraceful, just absolutely disgraceful. These guys have no pride, the team should withhold paychecks, they don’t deserve them. I’m a Ram fan for 35 years, I don’t remember feeling so much optimism in the offseason ever. And then to witness that abomination. I’m questioning why I’m a Ram fan. There is nothing positive to point to in this game, why should we expect anything different against the Giants. Disgraceful. I’m ashamed to be a Ram fan.
That loss was not a flashback to last year, that was a flash back to the 90’s Rams. It was a Tony Banks and June Henley style loss. One of the worst opening games I have ever seen a professional team play. They were beat soundly in every aspect of the game. Even the Rams front office was beat by the Eagles front office, watching DeSean Jackson scorch us.
When we picked in the second round I was pretty excited, no WR had been picked and we could get whatever WR we wanted. I have season tickets for the USC Trojans and I have seen Jackson play and there he was for the taking… and there he went after we took Avery. I hope this pick doesn’t turn into another Mike Schad.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME ?? ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME ?? How can you NOT be prepared or ready to play. Philly is NOT that good, the Rams just stink that bad. It’s not just the coaching staff either, most of these players are done. Dante Hall ? Brandon Williams or Marcus Hagan could’ve done just as good or bad at least their young. Drew Bennett over Issac Bruce ??? Who ever made this decision should be fired period. Ty Hill is a bust, may as well let the other guys play. The Front Office ?? at least they have a personnel guy now, teh only thing they understand is numbers (dollars), stop going to the games then changes will happen.
At least with Mad Mike the offense would keep attacking, these guy just gave up. I am still a Martz supporter, to me he never should’ve been fired. Scott Linehan is the answer ?? PLEASE. The only ones i saw play with any grit was Incognito ( even with the penalties) and Jackson (to take a hit like that and bounce up takes some nads). I’m a Rams fan and will always be, but this just makes me CRAZY ! Well St. Louis, now see what L.A. had to indure.
You guys are vastly overrating DeSean Jackson. I would guarantee you if Donnie Avery was suited up for the Eagles yesterday and in DeSean’s place, he’d of done just as well. The Rams secondary couldn’t stop anything and McNabb was hitting his spots. My grandmother probably could’ve gained 100 yards receiving against the Rams D.
dURING THE FIRST HALF i WAS DISGUSTED AND INFURIATED AT THE QUALITY OF PLAY. So much so that after watching the first half I knew the Rams would not even be competing during the second half. Then I thought about what I would do and say if I were the head coach of this team. Here goes. Since none of you ladies really want to play perhaps we should bring our cheerleaders out here and play for you , represent the great city of St. Louis! Because they for sure should get SOME kind of reaction/ result on the field a lot more than you bunch of pansies are! Now since I know thats not really an option, Mr. Holdout Jackson… YOU will get EVERY carry on EVERY down for the second half that this team has the ball. You owe this team and me about a whole preseasons worth of work and by god almighty I am going to get my pound of flesh from you in this game! O-Line, you will block and push that godamn defensive line. PUNISH them! I want to see them wearing their facemasks in their mouths! I want to see those godamn Eagles D-Line spitting blood from wearing their facemasks like bridlebits! PUNISH THEM, POUND THEM like you hate them cuz godamnit I do! And so should you! Get some balls godamnit! I dont even care if we win this game but I do care that you show some PRIDE! So go out there and beat the shit out of that Eagles D-line And get Jackson into that endzone!
…oh yeah and why did we get Bennett the Bust? Because 2 seasons ago the league fell in love with the big reciever with great hands AKA Plaxico Buress of the Giants… THATS why they went and got Mr. Bust. Honestly I was happy to see him hurt and I hope he is out for the season with that blister on his big toe, I am sure thats what it is. He sucks! Also a bit of observatory trivia for Rams fans. 3 seasons ago we had a budding player that did wonders in the backfield in support of the running game. Anyone remember him? Think on that a second as I refresh your memory of Jackson going crazy with over 2000 productive yards that season. Who was that budding player I am speaking of? None other than the Fullback Maddison Hedgcock… Yep the same guy they let go last season and HE WENT TO THE GIANTS AND AND THEY WENT TO THE GODAMN SHOW AND WON! The BIg GAME! SUUUPERBOOOWLLLLL! THat should piss off every Rams fan the world over!
Nice job jackass that let him go! Did you think that Jackson was going to be as productive behind Leonard!? The guy is a buck 0-5 soaking wet! AND hes not even a true fullback! STUPIIIIDDDD!
bluleo70 September 8, 2008 2:00PM CST
…And Linehans line of…”we gotta find some magic”, pixiedust that little girls like to believe in to make good things happen for spoiled lil rich girls who want their dollies to have all the frilly freakin dresses and lil Ken dolls to roll around in their lil toy convertibles…. CRAP! Bull SHiiiiT! I hate that he is waiting for the Archangel Gabriel, Peter Pan, or Moses, or Georgie F (RIP) to come out of heaven or neverlaND OR WHEREVER to show them the freakin way! FIRE THAT P*SSY!
bluleo70 September 8, 2008 2:02PM CST
…I freakin Care godanmit
the rams suck marc bulger need to be cut so does tye hill why did the rams draft him he sucks big time he lucky i’m not the coach i would off cut his black behind today the offensive line played like a bunch of sissy’s a woman team would of beaten the rams on opening day they defensive coordinator needs to be fired and he also need to go somewhere and kill himself he ain’t worth a dime and scott line han needs to be fired and don’t coach again jay zugmant needs to kill himself for firing mike martz the whole team stinks like my bathroom toilet bowl
the rams suck they need to cut tye hill marc bulger because they ain’t worth a dime the offensive line such a woman’s team would of beaten them on opening day thumbs down to jay zumyman for firing mike martz bottom line the teas smells like my bathroom toilet
If Lennihan does not like the word discourgaged how about digusting. I would have fired him at halftime. Let’s get Cower or Billick in and field a pro team. This team could not beat a good college team. They don’t care and soon I will not either.
I used to feel bad they got rid of Kurt Warner, but I bet he has the biggest smile on his face right now seeing what a mess is left after 3 great years of football (99-01). This team has too many bad drafts and made too many poor choices. It is going to take years to get this straightened out.
We were basically assured that this year’s version of the Rams would be much improved. If yesterday’s performance is any indication, this team will be lucky to win a game.
The responsibility rests with the head coach. He is clearly not getting the job done. Plus, Bulger–the General on the field, has not played well ever since he signed the big contract. Both of these guys need to go and the sooner the better. We need a “fired up” coach that can get this team going. When national announcers talk about their lack of excitement on the sidelines, someone has to be held accountable. The Rams front office needs to shake things up NOW!!!!
I fully agree with an earlier comment–coax Bill Cowher out of retirement and let him get in these guys’ faces. Quit coddling these multi-millionaires. The fans deserve a lot better than this!!!!!!!!!!
If the players were not confused the coaching staff definitely was. On both sides of the ball it seems like we were calling the exact wrong play every single time. Individually, the team has quite a bit of athletic talent, but no talent for working together as a team. It seems like there is an overwhelming problem in the NFC West of being too lackadaisical in the managment style. We need to get everybody from the lowest guy on the totem pole at Rams park to our team “president” excited and buying into a winning TEAM atmosphere. If that happens, it won’t matter how much individual talent we have.
Rams fan since the mid 70’s here, and I must say that this was the worst outing I have ever seen on opening day. There is no heart on that team. They need to get rid of Linehan and get someone in there to motivate that team. They have some talent but they are just going through the motions and collecting paychecks. Its a shame I cant cancel my Sunday Ticket on DTV because I would in a heartbeat with this type of performance.
Karma coming home to roost. St. Louis doesn’t deserve a football team since they let the Cardinals go. Ha hahahahahahahaha…..
What’s the difference between a Ram’s player and a pit bull? Lipstick. Nice game ladies!
I have been a Rams fan since 1976, the days of the LA Rams, Jack Youngblood, Nolan Cromwell, Jackie Slater etc. I have stood up for the Rams when they absolutely STUNK, whether it was in L.A. or St. Louis. But this MONSTROUSCITY that I saw on Sunday was the most sickening defeat I can ever remember! I was totally embarrassed to be a Rams fan that day, and I never felt that way before…NEVER! It was DISGUSTING! How dare they call themselves ‘football players’ when thats what they gave their fans! Loyal fans hoped and beleived and waited all offseason to see the Rams show some life and pride, and then that high school, big yard butt whppin is what we received? And many a Rams afterwards were….SMILING…. SMILING? That took alot of nerve to get your tails whupped like that and then SMILE! I told my freinds that the Rams DESERVED everything they got that day because they didnt care. The coaches, the players, the owners, no one CARED! No life, no emotion. No hustle. No heart, No passion. Just showed up and died, before the game started. Lineham is no head coach. The excuses are over. So are his chances. I know at least 8 Rams who should be gone, as we speak. Cory Chavous..GONE. Orlando Pace..GONE. Ty Hill…GONE. Alex Baron..GONE. James Hall…GONE. Dante Hall..GONE Drew Bennett..GONE. Fakhir Brown..GONE. This team needs a middle linebacker and strong safety in the WORST way! The Rams are a laughing stock and a bye week all wrapped in one! No one in the league respects or fears the Rams anymore…NO ONE!I will continue to be a Rams fan. I dont run when times get tough. But you can rest assure that I wont hesitate to call the Rams what they are; a sad group of overpriced, overated, underacheiving, under-performing non-caring vagabons! And when other people call the Rams even worse, I have to sit back, shut my mouth and agree. If you wont fight and defend yourselves on NATIONAL TV, why should I defend you as a fan? You look sad enough as is. You wont make me look that sad trying to stand up for you when you wont stand up for yourselves! Rams football baby!
Jackson wanted the CASH$$$$$$ AND GOT IT! NOW HE’S COASTING.