A Team Gathers No Moss

by VTramsFan on Nov 4, 2010 11:53 AM CDT in 2010 St. Louis Rams season

Coach Spagnuolo and the Front Office sent an important message to the players and fan base by passing on Moss. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

A day after the Rams passed on Randy Moss, you can't help but appreciate one thing. The very fact that Spagnuolo and Devaney are sticking to their original, "Four Pillars" philosophy, which has surely sent a message to all the players currently on the roster along with the entire fan base.

The message is clear. No matter how much better you are as a player than the man next to you (as far as talent level), no one is going to be allowed to corrupt the program that is being built here, and no ONE is greater than the whole. Period. This team is going to move forward and get better, and no one is going to get in our way.

Honestly, I was a little disappointed that we passed on Moss but looking at the big picture, this was clearly the right move in the end. Admittedly, it was tempting to envision Bradford airing it out to Moss, and also thinking about Steven Jackson and his newly found gaping holes just from the mere presence of Moss on the field.

But you know what? Was Moss guaranteed to be successful here? While no one can argue he is intimidating to the other team on the field, you have to wonder exactly WHY we passed on him. If Moss said he wouldn't play for us and sit out if we claimed him, I don't think Spagnuolo and Devaney would have, "agnonized" about it, and spent a couple days to make the decision. So there was definitely something more.

I'm sure a lot went into the deciding factor, but in the end I think it came down to the foundation that was laid out not more than 18 months ago when Spagnuolo removed single player photos from the hall walls at Rams Park, and replaced them with more team oriented photos instead. T.E.A.M.

I think yesterdays decision did nothing more than solidify the confidence in Spagnuolo and Devaney to our entire locker room.. think about it. Not only did the "Four Pillars" philosophy just get proven as "for real", but essentually Spags and Devaney just said, "We have confidence in you guys. We don't need him here. Our TEAM is more valuable than Randy Moss."... and me?

Did I want Moss? Of course! I really felt he could make a difference. But you know what? Looking at our record now, and at what Spagnuolo and Devaney have done thus far, I trust them and their decision. How can you not??

Today I can truly say, I am even more proud to be a Rams fan.

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Great post

“The message is clear. No matter how much better you are as a player than the man next to you (as far as talent level), no one is going to be allowed to corrupt the program that is being built here, and no ONE is greater than the whole. Period.”

I couldn’t agree with this statement more! The Patriots’ organization is the best example that Gestalt philosophy (the whole is greater than the sum of its parts) works in the NFL.

If a player thinks that his individual worth is greater than that of the team, Belichick won’t hesitate to erase that individual from the team with Josef Stalin-like coldness no matter who the hell he is. That seems to be the direction that the Rams are going, and I’m sold.

Does anyone really think that Belichick is looking in the rear-view mirror wishing Randy Moss was still there? HA!

Life. I'll tell you what life is. Life is having a mother-in-law who sucks and a wife who don't. That's what life is.

-Rodney Dangerfield

by IdGladlySellMySoulJust2KeepTheRamsAlive on Nov 4, 2010 12:44 PM CDT reply actions

Off topic.

But Jerod Mayo is a beast for the Pats lol.

Take the leash off of the offense pleeeeeeease.

Signed, Rams fan.

by douchiedude on Nov 4, 2010 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm also impressed with Kroenke in all this

With the potential revenue that could have been attained from signing Moss, I’m impressed that he didn’t impose a claim on BD and Spags.

It appears that Stan the Man is prepared to back his FO and go with what they think is best for the team in the long term, and that also bodes well for the future.

by RamintheUK on Nov 4, 2010 12:54 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks for always bringing a healthy dose of levity

in the middle of fan chaos. Very well put.

by kswiss on Nov 4, 2010 1:05 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah excellent post!

Notice also that out of the 31 teams, the only team to put a claim in was the Titans. Jeff Fisher is known for straightening out some of biggest headache players in the league. Probably the best fit for Moss, but I think the fact that no other team was interested enough to put a claim in for Moss save the Titan pretty much says this guy is not worth it!

Another point is that thus far you have to admit, that the Rams personnel decisions under this regime have been outstanding! I will be the first to say that I thought Spagnolo and company were out of their minds to let witherspoon go as well as several other players. I also thought going with JL at Ohio State vice someone off of the USC linebacking squad..and then to make him captain of our defense as a rookie was absurd. I thought taking Bradford…(seriously though how many teams have taken quarterbacks in the first round and they turn out to be complete flops…vs…so many stories of small school or undrafted guys end up being great QBs…its a crap shoot or so I thought) in the first round over Suh was dumb also.

That is why if they decided to take Moss, I would trust that decision eventhough I would have been opposed to it. The fact that the Rams chose to pass on Moss is probably a good decision.

by leadhead on Nov 4, 2010 1:24 PM CDT reply actions

Too bad 50% of all the best receivers in the league dont fit in with the 4 pillars :(

8tracks/Tumblr

by Option27 on Nov 4, 2010 1:29 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

And the other 50% do.. half glass full ;-)

"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi

by VTramsFan on Nov 4, 2010 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions

LOL well played

by kswiss on Nov 4, 2010 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Why can't the Cardinals just

GIVE US LARRY FITZGERALD! We’d use him the way he wants :(. But seriously, SIDNEY RICE THIS OFFSEASON!!!!!!!!

Take the leash off of the offense pleeeeeeease.

Signed, Rams fan.

by douchiedude on Nov 4, 2010 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions

But Holt and Bruce did...

I was thinking about the “Superstar diva” WR’s in the league yesterday after we passed on Moss and wondered how many of them won a Superbowl. Moss went to one, and lost to…..our coach’s D. TO went to one and lost to….the coach that just cut Moss (at a time when Belicheck had “no name,” team oriented receivers). I don’t know if I’d put Steve Smith in the same category— I just tend to think he has a lot of personality— but nonetheless, he lost to….the coach that just cut Moss. Keyshawn won one in ‘02 but that was one of the most lopsided defensive performances I’ve ever seen. Gruden deactivated him the next season and traded him.

Who’s won? Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne, Marques Colston, Deion Branch. Team oriented guys. I’d say Plaxico is the most troubled of the ‘Bowl winning WR’s. But if I recall, he had more legal issues than locker-room issues. Point being, the big name guys are exciting and sell tickets and make for entertainment, but they don’t necessarily take their teams to the promised land. One way or another we’re winning by a team effort and intensity. Moss was cut shortly after taking it easy on a potentially game winning play. I wanted him at first but I’m fine with this.

by kswiss on Nov 4, 2010 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions