Yes, we are now 0-4, but there are some good things that the Rams showed this past week.

1. The running game came around. Two long runs for touchdowns. Jackson averaged over 4.5 yards per carry. Our running might be able to start carrying us.

2. I believe that this is the first second half lead that the Rams have had this year. I think that this shows improvement. We were in the game with a very good Bills team.

3. Donnie Avery showed his explosiveness in a somewhat creative playcall. Avery showed us part of why the Rams deemed him the best WR in the draft.

Unfortunately, this loss cost Linehan his job. I really like Scott and hope that someone picks him up as an Offensive Coordinator or something. I like Haslett, too, but I would really like to see Brian Billick hired; he has been my favorite non-Rams coach ever since he blew a kiss to Rodney Harrison last season.

Yes, we lost 41-13, but I think that there were some big time positives to take away from this past weekend.

1. Chris Long gets his first sack. It was what I hope will become a typical "Chris Long play" in that he broke through a double team and then hammered Manning. 

2. Special Teams- Donnie Jones was sick this past weekend. This is not a big surprise, because he was so good last year, too. The coverage was a surprise. We stuck punts inside their 20 all day. Josh Brown earned his paycheck this past week. Booting two 54 yard FGs is very impressive. His kickoffs were also excellent. The kickoff coverage was very good as well. We actually kept them inside the 20 on a kickoff; unbelievable. That was just great special teams coverage all day. 

3. This is the most exciting one for me. I have loved this guy since the day that we drafted him. Ron Bartell, the only Howard University player ever to be drafted before the 6th round, stood up and played SHUT DOWN DEFENSE. His game was basically flawless. Take away the one pass interference call and he had did play perfect. Toomer could not get any separation from #24. Even Plaxico could not get open. If Tye Hill could have covered anyone then our defense would have been stellar. 

As a bonus, Alex Barron did not commit a single penalty; Pro Bowl?

Despite the loss there are some definite high points to take away. Prediction for next week's intra-divisional matchup against the Seahawks; the offense gets it going, the LBs step up, these positive trends listed above continue and Max Q reigns in week 3. 

I overheard an argument the other day about the top 5 tackles made by Rams defenders. Obviously, Mike Jones' tackle of Kevin Dyson was high on the list. Leonard Little sacks and Keith Lyle blows were discussed. Even though I knew that I would ruin thier discussion, I had to jump in; I just had to. 

If you rank any Mike Jones' tackle as #1 and a Leonard Little sack at 3 or a Keith Lyle crushing hit at 5, you miss all 5 of jimmy Kennedy's career tackles which clearly makes everyone be on the outside looking in. 

[editor's note, by VanRam]When Football Outsiders speaks, we listen...or something like that. Anyway, they posted their mock draft with a good analysis of each pick, and given it's draft talk time now, their mock draft is worthy of a discussion. Our friend "Marmie is the best" posted this diary to discuss it. As you can see, the idea of the Rams defensive line getting beefed up and becoming the stuff of nightmares rings like a dream come true for us long suffering defense first contingent of Rams fans...and all other Rams fans should enjoy the thought as well.

FO had the Rams picking Dorsey in the first and Manningham in the 2nd. While I would love to get Manningham in the second (and perhaps Sam Baker in the 3rd; he would definitely fit our 3rd round type guys) I am not sure about Dorsey. However, FO made a compelling argument that if you start thinking about it, you can just a see a dominating Rams defense; a dream that is hard to stop thinking about...

"I see Dorsey at the 3-technique on rushing downs, then moving over center on passing downs while Adam Carriker moves inside. That's a deadly interior rush that should make Matt Hasselbeck shudder and keep Mike Martz from instituting many 60-pass game plans."

If there is one thing that I love, it is seeing Hasselbeck shrudder.

Gatorade has recently introduced "Gatorade Tiger," which is "inspired by, and formulated for, an athlete who embodies mental strength, physical power, and technical perfection." It comes in three flavors Red Drive, Cool Fusion, and Quiet Storm. Tiger has reportedly received close to 100 million dollars for his endorsement.

This is the first Gatorade named after an athlete, but as Gatorade continues its push to be more than a sports drink, with products like G2, "the low-calorie electrolyte beverage designed for athletes off the field."

May I suggest, Gatorade Marmie as an addition to the line. Flavors would include, The Best, Cover 2, and Larry's Lemon Lime. This Gatorade is for those who settle for nothing less than the best. After all, Marmie is so well thought of that in 1993 he was chosen to teach an instructional video for the Science of Coaching Football Video Lecture Series, called "Linebacker Drills and Techniques." What this fact illustrates is the deep respect Marmie commands within the coaching ranks. Every coach in the NFL, college, and on down the line will be reaching for a Gatorade Marmie to stay hydrated. There is a lot of money in it for Gatorade. Sure Marmie may cost a little more to get than Tiger, but I can almost guarantee that even if Gatorade charged $15 a bottle, that Gatorade Marmie would not be able to last five minutes on any store shelf within a 30,000 mile radius of St. Louis.

Here's to hoping that in the near future, everyone can enjoy an ice cold Gatorade Marmie.

[editor's note, by VanRam]Now's a good time to talk about the o-line for next year, especially as we get closer to the draft, which in one way or another is going to impact the line next season. I'm putting this diary from "Marmie is the best" on the front so we can talk about this. Moving either Barron or an o-line draft pick to the guard spot is an idea getting some traction.

The day got a little carried away yesterday (don't you have brackets to fill out too?), but I'm wrapping up the round two draft discussion and WILL have that around noon time.

While I would draft the Long out of Virginia with the #2 pick, many "experts" are still predicting that the Rams will take the other Long. If we do that, that means that either Barron or Long has to move to RG. Personally, I would move Barron, but that would be a decision that Scotty would have to make. With RG, Incognito would have to move to C. If he maintains his current level of blocking ability while playing C, he would become one of the top centers in the league (and probably the most athletic.) LG gets filled by free agent signing Jacob Bell (who by all accounts is an excellent guard. A healthy Orlando Pace fills in at LT and dominates the position like we all know he can.

That offensive line would be one the best in the NFL. Add in some cheap depth through late draft picks, wise signings, or retaining guys like Romberg, and we have potentially the best offensive line in the NFL next season. Give Bulger time and Action Jackson some holes to run through and let Bennet show that he deserves his money and Holt continue his dominance and have one of those expensive TEs step and we have the Greatest Turf 2.0 (better than the original???)

But, then of course our defense still has not recovered from the loss of the best defensive coordinator ever (I wish him luck in Seattle and maybe someday he'll get the highway that he deserves in St. Louis.)

From the Post-Dispatch-
"It has just been announced that Eric Crouch will give up his lucrative career selling patio furniture in Omaha and attempt a return to the NFL. It has been leaked that IF Crouch can somehow fall to #2, the Rams will pick him.

While some may point out that the Rams have more pressing needs than an option QB/ 3rd WR, Scott Linehan believes that Crouch can play anywhere, even DE or DT. With Crouch's versatility, athleticism, desire, and knowledge of how to close patio furniture sales, the Rams bleak past looks to turn bright very soon.

With Vilma the Rams could become the best team ever. The Rams in '09 could perform the greatest team turnaround in NFL history.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Rams should pursue Vilma. Draft Vilma, get a stud defensive player in the first round, sign a safety, and watch Bartell and Hill develop into the best young CB combination in the NFL.

They can play the 3-4 or the 4-3. In the 3-4, Little moves to LB, and Carriker to DE, while Ryan takes the DT, and our 1st rounder takes the other end. Tell me that would not be a sick LB corps- Little (LOLB) Vilma (MLB) Witherspoon (MLB) a HEALTHY Pisa (ROLB.) Then we have the NFC leader in interceptions at FS and great new free agent or 3rd round pick. '85 Bears watch out; this defense could be stifling.

The offense? Draft a RT in the second round, move Barron to LG (it could work); Pace comes back healthy, Incognito stays healthy and continues his rise to become one of the top RGs in the game. That line could be the best in the NFL. Drew Bennett becomes the WR we thought we were getting. Byrd lives up to his potential, Klopfenstein improves his game, and McMichael returns to his previous form. Three TE set, anyone? Holt maintains his Pro Bowl form and Bruce keeps his "wily veteran status." Bulger will stay healthy behind the great line and break Brady's touchdown record.

Yeah, the special teams will still suck, but 23-0 is not out of the question. The Rams should copyright "23-0: The Perfect Season" right now. I want to pre-order my T-shirt right now.