Open Thread: Preseason game #2 - Rams vs Chargers

by Ryan Van Bibber on Aug 16, 2008 5:00 PM CDT

San Diego Chargers at St. Louis Rams, Aug 16, 2008 7:00 PM CDT

Has there been a preseason game with higher stakes in the last decade that you can recall? This is a big one for the Rams, not because of a QB controversy or anything so seemingly minor. The future of the franchise, though not solely dependent on this game, does have a lot riding on tonight. Sound crazy? Think about it.

The Rams need to re-ingratiate themselves to a fanbase that's largely given up waiting on the ship to right itself. That comes just months after long-time owner, Georgia Frontiere passed away and handed majority ownership in the team over to her children, feeding a deluge of rumors about the franchise being up for sale and the possibility of a move looming on the horizon. The team needs to sell tickets, lots of them, if they're going to make the case to stay in St. Louis AND regain the approval of fans and civic leaders before asking the public to kick in their hard earned benjamins to build a new facility about the time the 2015 clause comes up on their lease.

That's a lot of meaning wrapped up in one preseason game, huh? Well, so as not to saturate your evening with hyperbole, the fate of things won't be decided tonight, but a nervous Rams leadership would like to see good results in order to hype ticket sales for the season and get some leverage in Steven Jackson's holdout. The stakes aren't particularly high, but they're there.

Hell, enjoy it; may be the closest thing to a Super Bowl we'll see this season.

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As a West Coaster...

This will be the first Rams game of the season I get to see live.

Of course I'm right... I have a UC education.

by BruinHalo on Aug 16, 2008 5:45 PM CDT reply actions

congrats.

you’ll have to keep the tape delay folks in STL posted. i’m gonig to catch it on the radio so i can at least follow it live.

i think you can follow it live on the NFL’s web site too.

by Ryan Van Bibber on Aug 16, 2008 6:08 PM CDT reply actions

yes, but not

w/ video (boo! why can i watch pretty much anything i want on the web, but not football or blacked out baseball? suppose the time’s coming though…)

they stream audio feeds live, for free when teams are in the red zone, and there’s “FeildPass” which you pay for that gives you full, live game audio, i think it’s $40 for the season.

by Ryan Van Bibber on Aug 16, 2008 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions

listening's all well and good

but i missed the details on what happened on Bulger’s INT?

by Ryan Van Bibber on Aug 16, 2008 7:15 PM CDT reply actions

LITTLE

a sack, and the defense HAS shown up with ferocity today!

by Ryan Van Bibber on Aug 16, 2008 7:19 PM CDT reply actions

what???

Bulger’s first interception he overthrew McMichael who was open. I’m not sure Bulger is the guy friends… 2 int’s in the last two passes. His playoff record isn’t good. Even with proper protection, can Bulger produce?

by ramsnj on Aug 16, 2008 7:27 PM CDT reply actions

Defensive line looks good tonight!

by ramsnj on Aug 16, 2008 7:28 PM CDT reply actions

saying this without seeing it

but the o-line and the run game established itself, and the rest of the offense NOT named Marc Bulger was clicking. the 10 minute drive to was good to see.

man does Bulger look like shit though. i see where he over threw McMichael, what about the second INT? Is the pass protection OK?

by Ryan Van Bibber on Aug 16, 2008 7:59 PM CDT reply actions

oh!

an Alex Barron penalty! for old time’s sake.

by Ryan Van Bibber on Aug 16, 2008 7:59 PM CDT reply actions

First Half Recap: not a total wash at all

the D looks good (realizing that Rivers and LT are out), but still 4 sacks on the night. The Chargers were a top 10 team in pass protection last season too. the return game and ST have been good, 63 yards on 3 kick returns.

No word on how injured Bulger is, if at all. He did leave the game after getting sacked late in the 2nd.

Setterstrom’s injured now too. That’s worrisome, but no word on the severity yet.

by Ryan Van Bibber on Aug 16, 2008 8:46 PM CDT reply actions

I LOVE THE POSITIVITY!!!!!!

Okay, its 2:09am. I’m drunk and have no idea who won the Rams preseason game. So i turn to the Wide World Leader for Sports and I see the Headline…………

“Rams Starting Offense Continues Streak of Preseason Failure”

Okay.

While I’m not thrilled the starting offense didn’t score, it is not at all important that the starting defense held the mighty Chargers to 6 points!?!

Seriously?

In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.

by Tackle Box on Aug 17, 2008 2:15 AM CDT reply actions

Didn't watch...

(Couldn’t…live in KC)

That being said, this sounds like a BAD game for the Rams. The Rams starting defense shut down an offense without their starting running back (the best player in the league), or their starting quarterback. That’s not an impossible task there at all. That’s the BEST part.

The Rams also faced a defense that was sitting starters. Yes, the Rams were without Jackson and Holt. That hurts. They probably would have put up 6 points had the team not gone for two fourth and goals (I think that’s what I read in Thomas’ piece in the P-D.)

In any case…the offense on this team is much more heralded than the defense. This team is going to have to score points to win games this year. They will go 2-14 if they continue down this path.

by stlfan on Aug 17, 2008 8:57 AM CDT reply actions