Giving Thanks as a Rams Fan

by VTramsFan on Nov 24, 2010 10:36 PM CST in 2010 St. Louis Rams season

Well, tomorrow is thanksgiving... OR if you're reading this after midnight, TODAY is Thanksgiving. Either way, there are reasons to be thankful.. would you agree?

Most fans mentioned before the season that just being competitive this year would be an acceptable goal. Not surprising seeing how the Rams were coming off from a 1-15 season where our lone win came via a fake FG with our kicker throwing a TD pass.

Yes, that was the 2009 St. Louis Rams. Now, let's get to the real topic - the 2010 St. Louis Rams

Let me start by saying that this year has been quite the year. The Rams have already won 4 games and here the Rams sit, heading into week 12 at 4-6 and still one game out of first place in the NFC West and a head to head advantage against the Seattle Seahawks.

Sure, the Rams lost some games they could have easily won (should have technically speaking), but you can't argue there has been improvement abound. Improvement that I am indeed, thankful for.

As a Rams fan, are you thankful for where the Rams sit right now? I know I sure am, and after the jump, I will list out 10 (of the many) reasons I am thankful as a Rams fan, in no particular order.

1. Sam Bradford - This was an easy one. Think about where we would be if we hadn't drafted Sam, and you'll completely agree. Sam has really helped Spagnuolo to change the culture around Rams Park from a "same ole" feeling to a new feeling of hope. It's not hard to see Sam is going to bring years of winning seasons to the Rams and if you're not thankful for Sam, you need to re-evaluate things.

2. Steven Jackson - I really don't need to type anything here, but I will. Out of our 5 wins over the last two seasons, I'd say at least 3 of those wins, Steven played a BIG part in securing the victory. Two off the top of my head were the Detroit game last year, and this years Chargers game where he burst two big runs at the end of the game, gaining crucial first downs and allowed Sam to get in victory formation. Love ya Steven.

3. Steve Spagnuolo - Yea some are still on the fence but not me. This guy is turning around this franchise, no question. I was one of the first to question the four pillars and the turning away of TO, Moss, VJ etc, but there have been more GREAT moves than poor ones like Animal Jr, Sam, Gary Gibson, Amendola, and so many more. Next year I can almost guarantee all Rams fans will be wanting to vote Spags for president. You watch.

4. Dallas Cowboys - I know what you're thinking... What?!? I am thankful they took Alex Barron off our backs. What made me even more thankful was when he had a holding call at the end of a game where the Cowboys would have won. That REALLY made me thankful.

5. 4-6 - With all of the victories that were snatched from us, we still have 4. Coming off a 1-15 season, that's a good reason to be thankful. Not only are the Rams 4-6, but we could easily be 8-2. Now THAT'S something to be thankful for. 4-6 AND competitive. Another reason to be thankful for 4-6? No more Ron Pitts and crew.

6. Other NFC West Teams stink - Yes, this makes me extremely thankful. This isn't meant to be disrespectful in any way, but just a fact. Being 4-6 and one game out of the division title, is crazy. Being 4-6 you're lucky to have a shot at a wild card normally, let alone a division title? Be thankful Rams fans, be thankful.

7. Chris Long - Yes, a guy who was once struggling, and words of "bust" surrounding him, has suddenly looked like a force at defensive end. I donno if Howie talked to him or what, but whatever it was, thank you Chris. Keep it up! Without you on the line, we'd be hurting right now.

8. James Laurinaitis - What more can I say. Another guy I am extremely thankful for. Without him, we'd be done on defense right now as well. The guy has a motor and seems to be around the ball on just about every snap. 100% all game long. He'll definitely be an anchor here for a long time. Thanks James.

9. Danny Amendola - The little engine that could. This guy has guts. He gets hammered every week it seems, yet just when you say "OUCH!" when he gets crushed on a special teams tackle, you seem him grabbing a 12 yard completion one play later, bounce up, and act like nothing happened previously. Seriously, the guy loves football so much he is borderline insane. Thanks Danny for being there for the Rams.

10. TurfShowTimes.com - Where else can you go to vent or speak your opinion about the Rams on this level? Seriously. Van, 3k and the gang are awesome, and yes I do breakdowns and some posts, but man these guys are the gas to the engine and keep the TST pistons humming. I am thankful for this place, and thankful I was asked to be an author here as well. Thanks Van, 3k and all who contribute here for making this an "oasis" in times of disaster, and a "Cheers" setting for times of jubilation!

I'm going to leave it at that... fill in anything else I may have missed in the comments below, and

11. I am thankful you read this entire post.

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I am thankful you wrote it

"I have something 95 percent of all those All-Stars only wish they had: a World Series ring. If I had to choose between that and being an All-Star, it would be no contest. I’d grab the gold ring and never look back." -Tim Salmon

by BruinHalo on Nov 24, 2010 10:54 PM CST via mobile reply actions

VT I know all the stats and only one game out of first place hype but

simple mater of fact is we still suck ,we cant finish games we still cant keep the defense off the field so they can play for 4 qr’s we have no WR we have no OLBs we have no depth at all in any position and you people here think is so rosy and talk about statistics lol this is a joke,I don’t know about you but im depressed about were this team is at after 2 seasons of this 4 pillar shit,I can count our good players on one hand that will never equal a good team
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family VT and to all the Rams and fans

by Rams67 on Nov 24, 2010 11:40 PM CST reply actions

I agree

It’s really nice and sentimental when people bring up the fact that we have sucked the past few seasons. While that may be true, it shouldn’t be a comfort blanket.

We are a developing team and to be frank, I don’t think we’re as good as some people are making us out to be. I think people are excited and are sensationalizing everything. We have far too many needs in the positions you mentioned. It’ll take at least another season or two before we are legit contenders.

Just my opinion tho. Happy Thanksgiving all!

by Rams07 on Nov 25, 2010 12:25 AM CST up reply actions

I'm thankful that the arrow is finally pointing up...

Last few seasons it was nothing but down, but this year things have changed. And I think that’s what VT and all of the excitement around Rams Nation is all about.

by PCarn on Nov 25, 2010 7:39 AM CST up reply actions

I'll do a few

Ron Bartell He has hands of stone, but he sticks to the WR like glue. What impresses me most about Bartell is that he doesn’t let injuries stop him from contributing every week.

Danario Alexander Was my favorite college player. I’m just thankful to have him on the team at all. It’s sad that he’ll probably be injured again after his next attempt at playing, but I’m hoping that that isn’t the case. The guy deserves a little good luck at this point. 6’5", 46" vertical, fast, shifty, great hands, please stay healthy for a while this time DX.

Steven Jackson Leads by example. Lays it all on the line every Sunday. I hope we can win a Superbowl while he is still able to play, he deserves it for all his efforts during the bad years of Rams football.

Billy Devaney Thank you for making Rams football watchable again.

Richie Incognito and Alex Barron I’m thankful I don’t have to put up with your shit anymore.

Sam Bradford Thank you for living up to the hype.

There are obviously more, but VT already got a lot of the good ones so I’ll stop here.

by TheBirds on Nov 25, 2010 12:06 AM CST reply actions

I'll be thankful, too.

1. I am thankful for all of the things mentioned by VT. I’m only going to rehash one of them.
2. Here it is: I am thankful that I don’t root for a team that employs Alex Barron. I’ve always been frustrated by inopportune holding calls. Alex Barron’s statue is in the foyer of the Hall of Fame of Drive-Ending Holding Calls.
3. While we are talking about the o-line. I am thankful that I don’t root for a team that employs Richie Incognito. Sometimes, Alex Barron didn’t get called for holding (I know it is hard to believe). In those rare moments, Richie would lash out at anyone and everyone to ensure that the offense would still move backwards.
4. I am thankful that we play the Arizona Cardinals twice this year without a single appearance of the horrible specter that haunted Cardinal and Ram broadcasts for the better part of this millenia. Yes. I am thankful that I haven’t seen Brenda Warner on my TV or computer this entire NFL season.
5. SonGohan. I live in central Wisconsin. SonGohan gives me HD Rams on my computer.
6. GameDay threads at TST. I am surrounded by a bunch of cheeseheads. The GameDay Threads make me feel like I am watching the game with like-minded friends.
7.Donnie Football. Don Mattingly was Donnie Baseball. Donnie Jones is Donnie Football. He is the Peyton Manning of punters.
8. The return of expectations. The fans often expect the Rams to win. It has been a few years.
9. Sam Bradford’s shoulder. Sure, Sam has exceeded projections thus far and that is incredible. His health, however, is paramount. If Sam Bradford had suffered a major injury, this franchise would have been set up for years of failure.
10. Positional progress. Our strengths are clearly catching up to our weaknesses. We certainly have needs OLB and WR. We all know that. We probably have needs at DL, DB, and OL. We are getting good enough that we can evaluate our needs. There was a time last offseason where I thought our only non-needs were MLB, RB, and P.

by Sofanumber1 on Nov 25, 2010 12:52 AM CST reply actions

lol

SonGohan is still streaming Rams games? I know he was earlier this season, but then stopped.

by Rams07 on Nov 25, 2010 9:37 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

I am thankful for: Sam Bradford and James Laurinaitis, Chris Long and Roger Saffold, and competitive football in St. Louis and Kansas City once again.

by MMouse on Nov 25, 2010 7:07 AM CST reply actions

AND SJAX!!!! How do I overlook SJAX!!!

by MMouse on Nov 25, 2010 7:08 AM CST up reply actions

I'll throw in one more....

James Hall!

James could have easily jumped ship on played with someone else this year but he came back and has been a force on the defensive line.

I'm suffering from an extreme case of laurinaitis!

by NachoD on Nov 25, 2010 9:54 AM CST reply actions

You said it, VT!

“Where else can you go to vent or speak your opinion about the Rams on this level?”

After what seems like years of reading jerkhead comments at the P-D, I am really thankful for TST. For the most part, the comments are intelligent and well-reasoned. But let’s face it. We are all of us fans here. (And remember: “fan” is short for “fanatic”.) We tend to look at our team, more often than not, through rose-colored glasses. Sure, we’re 4-6, and by itself, that looks bad. But as VT pointed out, we’re only one game out of first place. It’s possible we could take the division.

We have holes in our roster and are generally deemed not playoff- or Super Bowl-ready. But it’s possible that it could happen. (That’s what being a fan is all about.) If our guys play out of their heads down the stretch and the stars align just right, it could happen!

Okay, I’m taking off my rose-colored glasses now. Even if we go winless the rest of the season—and I shudder to think of that—we’ve made progress, and I’m thankful for that. For the first time since the Zygmunt years, we have solid guys on both sides of the ball around whom we can build. So, if nothing else, that gives us hope. And it springs eternal, y’know.

Thank you to the TST powers-that-be and to all the other fans here that make this a classy place to hang out.

I thought about being a psychic, but I couldn't see any future in it.

by Ramshackled on Nov 25, 2010 10:23 AM CST reply actions