FanPost

Why Super Bowl 46 is bittersweet for Rams fans

So, the game is over and congratulations to NFL parity for it being a close one, with the excitement coming down to the last second of the game. The halftime show was also great. But the game itself was bittersweet for Rams fans, who probably aren't terribly fond of those northeast teams.

On one hand, what Rams fan wasn't disappointed in the outcome of SB 36, with the Patriots winning a close one on the Rams, one that most Rams fans will forever put an asterisk by due to allegations of cheating. But it's not the use of videotape that bothers me because a team still has to perform on the field. It was what the Patriots were coached to do and what they brought to the field that bothered me.

Several of the players admitted that they were to "mug" Marshall Faulk, knowing the refs would let some calls by. Part of me wants to give credit to the Patriots for recognizing this and using it to their advantage, but a bigger part of me feels that sort of thing is more like cheating and at the least, unsportsmanlike.

The refs didn't help any, with the inconsistent calls (after all the Pats were doing, why do they call Ernie Conwell for illegal use of hands on a play where he basically whiffs a block?). But what a lot of Rams fans don't talk about is another missed call late in the game when Brady was making the final drive. There was a play where he threw the ball away down the center of the field and got away with what should have been an intentional grounding. Anyway, that game is all history now and there isn't much anyone can do about it.

But the football gods must have great memories, because today, I saw Brady get called for intentional grounding! It took a while, but a small measure of justice came today for Rams fans.

Unfortunately, the football gods are apparently quite fickle too. The team that won was the same one that faked injury in a game against the Rams in the 2011 season. Ah well, it's the life of a Rams fan.

Either way, I have to give both the Giants and Patriots props for a good season, and also give them thanks for a good Super Bowl. I think I'm not alone wishing the Rams had half the talent and coaching expertise that we saw from the Giants and Patriots in 2011.