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.
<><><>
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.
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.