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A Team Gathers No Moss

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)
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)
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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.