In a Nutshell...

by Eric Nagel on Oct 26, 2009 10:31 PM CDT in 2008 St. Louis Rams season

As the 0-7 anger festers inside of me, I found a few quotes by the players (and some from STLToday.com analysts) that I wanted to talk about. Starting with the first, which we will call, "the quote of the last three years."

We just didn't fight as hard in the fourth quarter as we had in the previous three, which is a little disappointing

This gem comes from O.J. Atogwe. As a fan, I'd be a little disappointed if my team gave up too. This team has no fire. A little disappointed? Why any player would say this to a reporter is beyond me, but just hearing it and getting it confirmed just disgusts me. Take it easy guys, you're not going to win when you are horrible, no matter how much you try. No coach can turn this team into a winner when they don't even play the whole game.

Here is another passively laden quote by Randy McMichael:

Usually when we do something that sets us back, we end up coming off the field for a punt or something.

Thanks Randy, like we didn't already know. Or something? That is the best way you can describe it?

Jackson dropping a swing pass while Alex Barron was being flagged for holding.

The hapless Barron getting flagged for a false start penalty to help kill another drive.

That came from Jeff Gordon at STLtoday.com. I can understand having faith in your players Spags', but if you and Billy Devaney decide to resign him, then just resign. If you don't, please seriously consider trading away the first round pick we have. Jason Smith is being outplayed by Michael Oher (injury or no injury). I remember seeing his name going to the Rams early in the mock draft season. If you wanted to see character, look into his story. Tom Lemming, a ESPN analyst who helps choose the All-American Team said this about him:

Michael Oher’s athletic ability and his body — the only thing you could compare it to was Orlando Pace

Oh vey. Talk about an overreaction Tuesday.

Poll

How do you feel about the last two first round picks?

They will improve eventually

122 votes

They would have been good picks if we picked them 32 places lower.

63 votes

Let's just not even go there.

53 votes

238 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Just like i posted earlier, this guy Spags has not lit a fire under this teams ass like he was supposed to be able to do, maybe he was only good with the Giants well because it was the Giants and the personel was allready there, because even the faders from Oakland play with more heart

by peteyweestro on Oct 26, 2009 10:54 PM CDT reply actions

Good point.

The G-Men also have tough-as-nails Tom Coughlin as head coach. Their defense still ranks with the elite of the NFL And, of course, they have a guy named Eli Manning. Spags didn’t have much to work with in STL except Jackson. But if he went along with the idiotic move of choosing Jason Smith with the 2nd overall draft pick over Aaron Curry or Mark Sanchez, he blew it. And, we just gave away Will Witherspoon. I don’t think Spags made wise choices with Shurmer as OC or Flajole as DC either. Scott Linehan and Jim Haslett have already shown this team can lose double-digit games per season with ease.

by edpjr on Oct 27, 2009 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Spoon

getting rid of him……im still trying to figure that one out…………see what he did with Philly earlier? traded him for a player that hasnt played all year and a pick that we dont even know will work out in the future…….i know we have to be patient with Spags, but we dont even seem to be taking steps in the right direction

I Want The Rams Back In LA....The More They Lose The More Of A Chance That It Will Happen....Sorry St Louis You Cant Keep A Team(Twice)...Rams Come Home....We'll Be Here For You When You Do

by JordansDad on Oct 27, 2009 12:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Wait...

How has Spagnuolo not lit a fire under everyone?

Second: maybe we should make sure that Sanchez is going to be good before we start bellyaching. Everyone is overreacting to his first few games.

Third: Witherspoon is a non-descript linebacker pushing 30 and making lots of money on a team that has no wins. Why in the world are people still confused by this?

by blindmouse on Oct 27, 2009 1:16 AM CDT reply actions

Keep in mind Sancho has 4 probowlers on the O-Line. Boller would look great with 4 pro-bowlers on the O-Line too.

by 81 Witness on Oct 27, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions

i doubt it

by peteyweestro on Oct 27, 2009 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions

It wasn’t as much as issue with Spags as it was with the players.

I believe in 2010

by Eric Nagel on Oct 27, 2009 1:42 AM CDT reply actions

This is way too pessimistic for my tastes...

…they’ve given effort for 6 of 7 games. The Colts game was the only one where I felt like they gave up in the fourth. We’ve been down big this year against Seattle/Green Bay/Minnesota/San Fransisco, but it was more because of their own mistakes, not a lack of effort. The Colts can discourage most teams. One letdown doesn’t make the team lost, and Spags recognized that in his presser. He said “that’s not us,” and I believe him based on what I’ve seen this year. We’ll get some wins by the end of the year based on effort alone, don’t lose the faith. These guys have played hard to this point, and I’m confident they’ll play even harder this Sunday given the enhanced possibility of a win.

"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."

"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."

-Kobe Bryant

A mantra for all athletes.

by TrojanRam on Oct 27, 2009 2:52 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

effort?

Seattle 28 STL 0
Wash 9 STL 7
GB 36 STL 10
SF 35 STL 0
Minn 38 STL 10
Jax 23 STL 20
Indy 42 STL 6

It must not take much to meet your expectations. I think we completely suck on both sides of the ball – players and coaches.

by edpjr on Oct 27, 2009 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Ed, you're my favorite pessimist

You have to promise me. When we get it turned around (and we will, eventually), you have to remain as pessimistic. I read every comment you write just to get the angry side of things. Don’t change. Don’t ever change.

Your uncle molests collies.

by 3k on Oct 27, 2009 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions

by peteyweestro on Oct 27, 2009 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Well...There isn't much I can say to u...

If I was already aware of the fact that we suck and was only looking to see them play hard this year, which they have. This just happens to be the most talent-devoid team in the league, so try as they might they won’t win many games, but that effort will give them something to build on, while Spagnuolo & Co. gather talent.

It isn’t that I have low expectations, it’s that I have REALISTIC expectations. Realistically, they can win some games (and should actually be 2-5 at this point) based on the effort they’ve shown thus far.

You should try checking what the score was for most of those games at halftime, and realize that were this not the most (or second most) mistake-prone team in the league (turnover/penalty based), they’d unquestionably have a better record.

As they erase those mistakes, the effort wins will come. You can only go so far with effort alone, but effort is all I can ask from my team right now given the lack of talent.

"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."

"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."

-Kobe Bryant

A mantra for all athletes.

by TrojanRam on Oct 27, 2009 8:48 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Riddle me this Batguys...

If we’ve made an effort, how come we’ve been outscored 210 to 53 this year? And that includes 7 games, 5 of which were against bad to mediocre teams. The reason I am pessimistic after 40+ years is clearly laid out in a response on my recent post; “What do the Rams do now?” if you care to take a look. Some of us older guys don’t want to wait half a decade (or more) for the Rams to be a contender again. We’d prefer the 1973, ’83 and ’99 approach. A lot of younger folks just remember and get fixated on how sorry the Rams were from 1990 to 1998. Over 40+ years THAT eight year period was an abberation till now. Otherwise, the Rams have generally been an NFL power and playoff contender. Thanks!

by edpjr on Oct 27, 2009 11:40 PM CDT up reply actions