Linehan accepts blame for flat Rams

by Ryan Van Bibber on Sep 9, 2008 10:01 AM CDT in 2008 St. Louis Rams season

In the wake of Sunday's meltdown, Rams fans demanded accountability. We invested our excitement and trust in this team to bounce back from last year's 3-13 record, watched what appeared to be a good camp and preseason and got rewarded with a blowout where the only thing on display was a healthy dose of apathy.

In yesterday's presser, Linehan accepted culpability for the Rams performance.

"We didn't play very well, and it's my job to get the team prepared to play. ... If you want to put your eyes on the person that didn't get their job done, it's me."

Good first step. The next step is the big one, getting the team motivated and synced to prevent further embarrassment and keep fans interested in the team. We'll see how the team responds in the coming days, with the big test against the Super Bowl champs on Sunday. I realize the Rams aren't likely to win, but if the team is as flat as they were last week, there have to be consequences.

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Mouth service

I could care less what Linehan has to say about any of this. He’s simply saying the right things but he’s been saying the right things for 2 years. They say actions (or maybe in this case, results) speak much louder than words and I haven’t seen anything that gives me any indication he has the slightest idea how to fix anything.

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 Sep 9, 2008 10:30 AM CDT reply actions

Also

what is this “Buzz Up” option. I don’t remember seeing it yesterday and I just checked and it’s not on all the sites (at least it’s not on Viva El Birdos).

by Tackle Box on Sep 9, 2008 10:32 AM CDT reply actions

it allows you to create

“buzz” for an item on Yahoo’s new feature. it should be on VEB soon too.

by Ryan Van Bibber on Sep 9, 2008 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions

WEEK ONE

Hi Guys: I have been a Rams Fan since 1966. I have seen my share of ups & downs.
Here are the positives:
1. The punter looked good.
2. Brown is one for one on field goals
3. Bulger only got creamed four times..which leaves us with only 64 sacks for the season
4. We are still in the hunt for the #1 draft pick next year.
5.We are only one game out of first place in the division.
6.We only have three games left before the bye week and a new head coach.
7.Smart money says dump the loser right after game four, this gives the new head coach
two weeks to fix things. We have talent, we need leadership !!!
8.I must admit, when I looked at our schedule for this year, figuring what’s his face at HC,
I figured 1W 3L at bye, NEW HC, 3W 5L at the half way, possible 7W 1L at end, 10W 6L
and the play offs, unless we keep the current HC, then I refer you back to # 3 & 4……

by ram66 on Sep 9, 2008 2:57 PM CDT reply actions

I agree with Tackle Box

It’s nice on some level that Linehan is taking responsibility, but we should be past the point where he has to apologize every week for not having this team ready to play…WHY does it seem that this team is never ready to play. And the fact that this happened on opening day!!?? If you can’t get up for the first day of the season, especially after 3-13, I think there are a number of people that should consider another line of work.

by tbell61 on Sep 9, 2008 4:03 PM CDT reply actions

no Linehan was actualy speding the blame

i herd linehan spreding the blame around just after the game, he throw some blame in bulgers derection and some towart tory hold and some to Heslett and off cord, SAUNDERS, LOL the onle one i did not here him blame was him self lol , what a joke this idiot is in charge and all he knows how to do is blame every one else , so he finaly realized and accepted the blame , so what , that dont do us any justicec at all, he should resign imediatly and take a high school coaching job some were in the north east united states , hight school foot ball is not too good there he can get a job with some second rate team im sure

by james535 on Sep 9, 2008 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions

worst since Tommy Prothro

I’ve been a Rams fan since 1969 and the days of Roman Gabriel and the Fearsome Foursome. On paper the 2008 Rams appear to have some talent, but there are underlying immense problems; (1) the worst head coach in the league, (2) a washed up QB. Bulger has only won a single playoff game in 4 years and now he’s permanently shellshocked. Thanks for getting rid of Kurt Warner, Mike Martz ol’ buddy. (3) No wide receivers. Isaac was done, Torry’s done, and Kevin Curtis is now with the Eagles. (4) a lackluster, porous OL, and (5) NO defense at all. No pass rush, no pass coverage, yecch! At least we can punt and if can ever stumble into FG range might score 3 or 6 points in a game. Immediate try to fix: get rid of Linehan and hire Brian Billick. Then try to get Warner back from the Cards. After all, he’s 2 years younger than Brett Favre.

by mrjackal55 on Sep 9, 2008 8:24 PM CDT reply actions

I AGREE

It took the worst front office & ownership in football to finally hired the same talent level as Tommy.
The younger fans don’t remember good old Tommy, but to get one of these guys per generation, and
saddle our rams with them is just….well, OK, first thing sell the team, then rebuild from the top down,
for this season, get rid of Linehan now, and see if we can at least see what talent to keep, still think
we need to rebuild thru the draft even if it takes three years, is Dick still around ??

by ram66 on Sep 10, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Linehan...

Scott Linehan is 11-22 since he took over the Rams. Some accountability has to be demanded by the end of this season. That’s why he’s going to be a regular fixture on The Hot Seat until he gets fired.

by jmantemp on Sep 10, 2008 12:57 PM CDT reply actions