Open Thread - Rams at Minnesota, Week 17 - No Playoffs Edition

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 31, 2006 9:12 AM CST in Events

Well, that's it. Tiki Barber put aside visions of a supporting role on the Today Show to run for 234 yards and 3 TD, something his fantasy owners probably never knew he was capable of doing.

That's the thing about the playoffs, you don't want your team to get into the situations where their entry to the postseason is determined by what three other teams do. Even if the Giants had lost, the Rams still had to count on Atlanta and Carolina losses.

So it goes. The important thing here is how the Rams finished the season, putting a halt to an awful skid that caused many fans, this one included, frustrated by the Rams seeming lack of comitment and identity, to write them off much earlier than in fact they were to be written off.

That year end swoon will look to continue again today against the Vikings. The Vikings' secondary is among hte worst in the league, and now without the double-ended Fred Smoot. It should be Bulger's game, eventhough it was Steven Jackson's season.

Hey, remember 8-8 is way better than 6-10, and there are some legit signs of life on the Rams now...and reasons to look forward to next season. Next week, we'll start a preliminary look at the Rams offseason needs, review the season that was, and make snarky remarks about the playoffs.

For more on the Vikings, visit SBN's Daily Norseman. And keep checking back in at the TST for can't miss fun!

Happy New Year everyone! Go Rams!

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What is the value of 1 game?

San Francisco, Carolina, Arizona.

Those are 3 teams that beat the Rams this season who the Rams were more than capable of beating.

What does one more win get the Rams? Well, not only would it have made today a little more fun for all us fans, but it would have changed the playoff picture entirely.

Not only woud the Rams still be alive for the 6th and final playoff spot, but they would be alive for the Division title and the 4th playoff spot. Yup, with a Rams win today and a Seattle loss the Rams and Seahawks tie with an 8-8 record. Since the Seahawks beat the Rams twice this year (damn you Josh Brown!!!), the Chickens hold the tie breaker.

How sad is that?

But, oh well. It is what it is. We could talk about "what ifs" until we're blue in the face and it won't change a thing. I have to say that I have a bit of a newfound acceptance of Coach Linehan. I'm not entirely sold on him, but I'm looking forward to see what changes are made this offseason and how Linehan and Haslett grow.

There's a lot of positives to point to so I'm gonna be looking forward to VanRam's analysis the next couple of weeks...months.

Congratulations also to VanRam on a great blog. I've enjoyed reading it all season.

Anyway, damn the draft position. I'm in the mood to see one more Rams victory today!!!

by Big Red on Dec 31, 2006 10:15 AM CST reply actions

Next Year

Glad you've enjoyed the site Big Red.

I'm kind of like you on Linehan, much more accepting of him, not 100% faith, but looking forward to continued growth.

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 31, 2006 11:06 AM CST up reply actions

im with ya big red

and look forward to a rams mashing today even though it has no playoff implications. those two seattle losses hurt, espcailly considering we were in a position to win both of them. if the rams would have won those two games they have a change to go 10-6 today and probaly would have had a shot at the #3 seed.

by stlcardinalsfang on Dec 31, 2006 12:03 PM CST up reply actions

what a game

wish we could've played like that all year. i kinda sorta blame linehan for not recognizing steven jackson's talent earlier in the season which probaly cost us a couple games (most notably the carolina game). however, i credit him with a very professional move in firing himself for the play calling. after that, the Rams (and steven jackson) really took off in my opinion. i look forward to more of the same next year. happy offseason everyone. and happy 2007!

by stlcardinalsfang on Dec 31, 2006 4:07 PM CST reply actions