St. Louis Rams

jstriebel · PostSep 25, 2013#13012013-09-25T20:02+00:00

I will likely be going as well. Finalizing those plans still, but we're gonna take advantage of the cheap seats.

It was mentioned earlier that a non-full dome isn't a ringing endorsement of St. Louis, but even the Rams have been upfront that that's on them. Kevin Demoff has repeatedly stated that the Rams have not come close to living up to their end of the bargain. And when you enter a year with some real excitement and then start off the way this team has, that's not living up to it either.

It will be disappointing to see the dome not entirely full tomorrow, but I'm not going to be embarrassed over it. That's on the Rams in my opinion. They put this fan base through the worst 5 year stretch in NFL history. Built some positive press with a decent but still losing season last year, and have looked bad this year. You could do way worse than the fan support St. Louis has given them.

And I firmly believe if they can just sustain competitiveness, the fan base will grow and strengthen for the long-haul. I THINK they're on pace to do that, but this is a crucial time period for the fan base, and the missteps hurt.

gone corporate · PostSep 26, 2013#13022013-09-26T17:14+00:00

The Rams Are Not Moving To Fenton
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news ... ysler.html

blzhrpmd2 · PostSep 27, 2013#13032013-09-27T01:33+00:00

So much for the fast start.....

Poor game planning or not, this team can't run block to save their lives. I was confused by Bernie this week harping on them needing to hand the ball off. I get that you need to do it to open up play action, and such, but the fly in the ointment is they literally can't run the ball. No holes.

As much as I want to defend Bradford, he can't afford to miss passes like the first quarter TD opportunity. Special teams' penalties continue to boggle the mind.

At least the defense is showing some energy.....well scratch that....just allowed TD on 3rd and 19. These guys are tough to figure out.

roger wyoming II · PostSep 27, 2013#13042013-09-27T12:10+00:00

Might as well bring Spags back. At least he lived in Lafayette Square!

jstriebel · PostSep 27, 2013#13052013-09-27T14:55+00:00

The way this team is playing is as bad as any Rams team we've had in the past decade. And given those teams were part of the worst 5-year stretch of futility in NFL history, that's awfully frustrating.

HOWEVER, I still don't believe it. I do not believe all this talent—more than was on the roster last year—just suddenly can't play football. Doesn't add up. Doesn't make sense.

There's a surprise team every season, and not just from the get go. Quite often you have a team who looked hopeless suddenly flip that switch. Count on it being the Rams this year. Basically, they're way too good to be so bad.

Ten of the most frustrating days stand in the way of the next game (although at least in that time the Cardinals will open the playoffs and the Blues will open their season), and for the fans that sucks, but for the team it might be what they need. They face a favorable opponent in Jacksonville (not that the Rams have earned any benefit of the doubt).

I think the stick it to Jacksonville big. Win big. Nobody will take notice, including our local fans, because it's "just Jacksonville." But in fact, it will be the start of 6-straight wins heading into the bye week.

It's gonna be fun.

Now, for the less fun part of this post. Everything I feared about fan base excitement has come to pass. The Rams performance on the field has absolutely destroyed every ounce of goodwill and momentum they had built up. It's weird to say this about a team that has brought the city a Super Bowl, but outside of that, they've done everything a team could possibly do keep a fan base from truly establishing. (Note to the conspiracy theorists: I'm not implying they did it on purpose. They didn't. It's just how things have gone.)

You could get $12 seats to a prime time, nationally televised game against a good (if struggling) division rival. Expect to see $5 seats for the Jaguars game.

It's disappointing and understandable all at once. How could you blame the fans?

Rams need that 6-game winning streak I'm talking about. They've got to get fans to buy back in. But it's their fault fans haven't.

blzhrpmd2 · PostSep 27, 2013#13062013-09-27T20:17+00:00

I'll be the first to (hopefully) say I was wrong, but no way this team makes a run at anything this year. Schedule is far too difficult to see anything more than a handful of Ws IF they decide to muster at least 3 quarters of competitive football. As the 101.1 post game guys said last night, increased talent does not equal a better team....but in my opinion, these guys have only been billed to have more talent; they haven't proven a thing yet. All our "weapons" are far from slam dunks. I heard multiple football minds that I trust question taking Austin as high as we did. Jared Cook was allowed to walk from TN for a reason. Brian Quick looks like Brandon Gibson could be doing what he's doing. I won't even discuss the guy that is handed the ball in the backfield (it's disgraceful to the position to refer to that role as a running back).

To make matters worse, I am slowly but surely losing faith that Bradford can do anything special. He looked like a guy that has had enough. Missing passes, no emotion, just the same blank stare up at the replay board and mouth position that appears on the verge of tears.

Fisher is obviously losing his cool. Not a good sign. This means players are either just plain awful (which he helped bring here), or they are not buying in to whatever the coaches are selling.

We've heard they are going to "fix" it for 3 weeks now. 4 days, 10 days, 2 weeks....doesn't matter. Maybe they could fix it if they were playing against equally horrible teams with an equally unimpressive coaching context. Unfortunately, their schedule is composed of proven dominating players that will continue to expose the Rams' Achilles heels (JJ Watt, Drew Brees, Cam Newton, Bears D, Brandon Marshall, Seattle......). But I guess I shouldn't worry because according to Burwell, we'll find out why Fisher is getting the big bucks....

To be optimistic about draft position is an equally unfulfilling premise as we've seen what that gets us with Fisher and company....unless the discussion of a new QB is raised which is really unsettling. What a mess. What an embarrassment. The saddest part is how much I want this embarrassment to commit to our city; which is unlikely to occur for sometime.

jstriebel · PostSep 27, 2013#13072013-09-27T20:35+00:00

I totally get everything you just wrote. But I think there is another side to it.

The schedule is only difficult if we're truly this bad. But if we could rebound to being as good as last year's team, there isn't anybody on the schedule we can't hang with. that doesn't mean those teams aren't better than us, but they're all beatable. The Rams team we saw the last two weeks won't beat anyone. Including Jacksonville. The premise is that they MUST be better than what we saw the last two weeks.

Bradford is so hard to evaluate, but I remain optimistic. Last night, though, he looked like Marc Bulger. Beaten. Gun shy. Unsure whether to risk the pass to unopen WRs or step up and run or just take the hit. And he did miss a few open passes as well. He just seemed shaken.

I think it's important not to overreact in regards to Bradford, though. He looked good the first two weeks and really not bad last week either. This is the first week he's really looked lost. And there's a lot of things that went into that (most notably an offensive line that couldn't give Sam any time or create any running room for a balanced game plan).

Anyways, I think it's far too early to give up on the season, and it's certainly to early to give up on this core of players as it pertains to the future.

But I can't decide it's a sorry state of affairs right now.

framer · PostSep 29, 2013#13082013-09-29T02:17+00:00

I'm so tired of waiting 'til next year.

throatybeard · PostSep 29, 2013#13092013-09-29T17:40+00:00

I'm not saying it's time to give up on Bradford, but if you do, you better have a plan. Don't give me Manziel. The mock drafts I'm looking at have Boyd (Clemson), Bridgewater (Louisville), Mariota (Oregon), and Hundley (UCLA) as the only QBs in the first round. That doesn't look like a Luck/Griffin/Wilson type class to me. And who could you get in free agency?

jstriebel · PostSep 30, 2013#13102013-09-30T04:11+00:00

I agree with you there. Right now it still makes sense to try and make it work with Sam.

It's also worth stating that the Rams did not mess up with the RGIII pick, in my opinion anyways. Even if Sam never works out (and I remain optimistic), I don't think RGIII was the right pick, and I think the Redskins struggles (despite a comeback win today over lowly Oakland) show that. He's injury prone and mistake prone. And if you try to protect him from getting hurt, he becomes much easier to defend. And the Rams got a lot of valuable draft picks out of that trade.

So the question isn't did the Rams screw up then, but just what do we do moving forward.

And right now the answer is keep putting our faith in Bradford. Besides, right now Peyton Manning wouldn't be saving this group. Actually, he might, but only because he'd tell our OC to screw-off and take charge of calling plays himself.

dweebe · PostSep 30, 2013#13112013-09-30T07:35+00:00

jstriebel wrote:I agree with you there. Right now it still makes sense to try and make it work with Sam.

It's also worth stating that the Rams did not mess up with the RGIII pick, in my opinion anyways. Even if Sam never works out (and I remain optimistic), I don't think RGIII was the right pick, and I think the Redskins struggles (despite a comeback win today over lowly Oakland) show that. He's injury prone and mistake prone. And if you try to protect him from getting hurt, he becomes much easier to defend. And the Rams got a lot of valuable draft picks out of that trade.

So the question isn't did the Rams screw up then, but just what do we do moving forward.

And right now the answer is keep putting our faith in Bradford. Besides, right now Peyton Manning wouldn't be saving this group. Actually, he might, but only because he'd tell our OC to screw-off and take charge of calling plays himself.

The bummer about Bradford is he's from that last class of players under the old labor agreement with the huge upfront money and initial contracts.

blzhrpmd2 · PostSep 30, 2013#13122013-09-30T13:05+00:00

I too will defend keeping Bradford instead of RGIII. Right move to help try and restock a depleted talent pool. But at some point I keep waiting for him to make those around him better and I don't see that happening. If he is going to thrive, the O-line needs to be stellar in protection AND run blocking

Watching other games yesterday really highlights how bad the Rams fundamental play is. I realize Brady is a top flight hall of fame guy, but right now he is playing with predominantly rookies and really moved the ball well yesterday (yes, the Rams did too in the 4th quarter vs. ATL). Common theme: poor O-line play and no running threat just kills us. The Patriots run blockers were impressive on some of those cool overhead camera shots on Sunday night....flying from one side of the line to the other and really laying into guys....WHY CAN'T/DON'T OUR GUYS DO THE SAME. This is where my football knowledge hits a wall: is it bad coaching/bad play calling/lack of effort/bad practicing/just can't do it???

I feel like you could substitute "Rams" for "Giants" during all of the national verbal abuse of the New York Football Giants. Similar head-scratching problems both physical (defense?) and mental (special teams penalties/formation penalties).

Lastly, half empty Georgia Dome last night while ATL is mounting a last minute threat. I don't think anyone bills ATL fans as the class of the NFL, but this is a team with high hopes. Let's bank that image before raggin' on STL fans next time.

dweebe · PostSep 30, 2013#13132013-09-30T13:29+00:00

blzhrpmd2 wrote:Lastly, half empty Georgia Dome last night while ATL is mounting a last minute threat. I don't think anyone bills ATL fans as the class of the NFL, but this is a team with high hopes. Let's bank that image before raggin' on STL fans next time.

All I remember is the last time the Falcons came here their fans were obnoxious. I was surprised by that.

jstriebel · PostSep 30, 2013#13142013-09-30T14:57+00:00

dweebe wrote: The bummer about Bradford is he's from that last class of players under the old labor agreement with the huge upfront money and initial contracts.

Yep. It's hard not to be "woe is me" as a Rams fan sometime, and something like that just adds to it. Of course the year we have the first overall pick would be the year BEFORE a new CBA drastically slashes the money you can give a rookie. Of course.

dweebe · PostSep 30, 2013#13152013-09-30T15:21+00:00

jstriebel wrote:
dweebe wrote: The bummer about Bradford is he's from that last class of players under the old labor agreement with the huge upfront money and initial contracts.
Yep. It's hard not to be "woe is me" as a Rams fan sometime, and something like that just adds to it. Of course the year we have the first overall pick would be the year BEFORE a new CBA drastically slashes the money you can give a rookie. Of course.

I can't help to think that if Bradford was signed under the new CBA, he'd be somewhere else or holding the clipboard. We might be very well stuck watching him until 2015.

jstriebel · PostSep 30, 2013#13162013-09-30T19:29+00:00

dweebe wrote:
jstriebel wrote:
dweebe wrote: The bummer about Bradford is he's from that last class of players under the old labor agreement with the huge upfront money and initial contracts.
Yep. It's hard not to be "woe is me" as a Rams fan sometime, and something like that just adds to it. Of course the year we have the first overall pick would be the year BEFORE a new CBA drastically slashes the money you can give a rookie. Of course.
I can't help to think that if Bradford was signed under the new CBA, he'd be somewhere else or holding the clipboard. We might be very well stuck watching him until 2015.

Or we'd have spent more money on more help and he'd be more successful.

Who knows.

I think he's a HOF talent waiting to emerge. I don't blame anyone for being less optimistic than that, though. But I really do believe that.

Something isn't right with this year's team, though to the point that NOBODY is playing as they should. It's bizarre.

PostOct 07, 2013#13172013-10-07T15:00+00:00

Let's talk good news. It wasn't pretty, particularly early, but the Rams did what they had to. They beat an awful Jacksonville team, and while it was close AT TIMES, they did it by a good margin.

Still so, so, so much to improve, but at least they have something to build on now.

With every minute that passes, though, I'm frustrated not to hear of any firings of assistant coaches. I know it's after a win, but there's no doubt John Fassel (Special Teams) needs to go. And while I especially wouldn't expect it after a win, we still need to dump Brian Schoettenheimer (Offense) and Tim Walton (Defense) as well.

dweebe · PostOct 07, 2013#13182013-10-07T15:33+00:00

jstriebel wrote:Let's talk good news. It wasn't pretty, particularly early, but the Rams did what they had to. They beat an awful Jacksonville team, and while it was close AT TIMES, they did it by a good margin.

Still so, so, so much to improve, but at least they have something to build on now.

With every minute that passes, though, I'm frustrated not to hear of any firings of assistant coaches. I know it's after a win, but there's no doubt John Fassel (Special Teams) needs to go. And while I especially wouldn't expect it after a win, we still need to dump Brian Schoettenheimer (Offense) and Tim Walton (Defense) as well.

When Austin almost took that punt return back for a touchdown I called it. Before the announcers said anything or a graphic flashed I said "There's a flag: it's coming back." And I was right.

jstriebel · PostOct 07, 2013#13192013-10-07T18:41+00:00

At this point I seriously assume we're flagged on every kick return (especially punt return) until 15 seconds or so pass without seeing a flag or flag notification. I would guess we're flagged on 80-90% of punt returns, and I really think the numbers might back that up. It sounds like that should be an exaggeration, but I'm not sure it is.

debaliviere · PostOct 08, 2013#13202013-10-08T14:10+00:00

Bradford's body language on Sunday was pretty telling.

Nice to pick up a win. I was watching at a sports book in Vegas and was especially happy that they covered.

blzhrpmd2 · PostOct 22, 2013#13212013-10-22T13:22+00:00

Can't imagine a worse game from Bradford's perspective. Horrible drops, horrible penalties stymie his play capped with a season (maybe longer?) ending injury. This guy's tragic introduction into the league continues.

jstriebel · PostOct 23, 2013#13222013-10-23T15:12+00:00

From his perspective, absolutely.

From the perspective of watching him grow, he had a fantastic game. Pro Football Focus, who uses advanced metrics and observation to grade players, gave Sam the highest grade of his career.

Other more simple stats and observation told the same story. Sam was at the highest point of his NFL career and rapidly getting better. If his team could have stayed out of their own way with bad drops and stupid penalties, we wouldn't just be talking about Sam looking great, we'd be talking about having a good football team.

And then comes the injury. Because of course it would. Really heartbreaking for him.

Fortunately, Fisher still sounds committed to him, and I'm very glad to hear that. He's the real deal, and the Rams are going to be rewarded for their patience with him.

By the way, I should add since you alluded to the possibility of it being longer than just this season. We won't know how long his healing and rehab will take until it's really going, but the average rehab for a torn ACL has shifted dramatically in recent years for athletes to be closer to 9 months give or take a month. Because, according to Fisher, the rest of Sam's knee was in great shape and just the ACL tore, it's fair to anticipate Sam being ready at some point during training camp.

The Rams should have a reasonable back up plan in play just in case, though. I don't really want them to use a first round pick on the QB of the future, because I still think that's Sam. But signing a good veteran or drafting a player in the 2-4 rounds who they believe could develop would be something I think would make sense.

STLEnginerd · PostOct 23, 2013#13232013-10-23T21:58+00:00

Apparently tickets to the game are going for absurdly discounted rates on the secondary market. I don't blame people for not wanting to go see an already struggling team who just lost their central player get crushed but its doesn't instill a lot of confidence in St. Louis' fan support. When the lease is up I wonder how this episode will weigh into the decisions on either side. Does Kronke bail because fan support here is too weak? Does the city say "Why do we even care to keep a team that can't even fill a stadium on the 8 days a year it does have a game?"

Rams are probably wishing they were playing a home game in London this season after all. NFL in STL is in for some dark days unless Clemens turns out to be a lot better than anyone expects.

dweebe · PostOct 23, 2013#13242013-10-23T22:32+00:00

STLEnginerd wrote:Apparently tickets to the game are going for absurdly discounted rates on the secondary market. I don't blame people for not wanting to go see an already struggling team who just lost their central player get crushed but its doesn't instill a lot of confidence in St. Louis' fan support.

Plus unless someone sweeps, the Rams/Seahawks game will conflict with a World Series fifth game. If there is a conflict, downtown should be very interesting next Monday.

jstriebel · PostOct 25, 2013#13252013-10-25T15:09+00:00

Yep. Bottom line is it's hard to blame fans right now. The product has been mediocre. The biggest hinge to the team's success just went down. And the team who's popularity will never be challenged may be playing for a title just down the road.

But I'll be in the Dome. I already had won free, good seats, and I won't abandon the Rams.

The World Series would have been a big hit to this game regardless, but can you imagine if Sam hadn't gotten hurt and the Rams had limited their mistakes enough to win last week (they should have)? 4-3 with a big division rival coming in on MNF. Totally different scenario.

As it is, the fan base is fragile because the foundation has never been laid. And so we'll continue seeing cheap prices and shaky attendance until the product is shored up. The Bradford injury is nobody's fault, though. Just another kick to the gut.

St. Louis Rams

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