St. Louis Rams 2014 Season: There's Still A Long Way To Go...

My oh my, how the sky falls so fast for some... The title of this article was going to be "6.25%", and it isn't a mortgage rate. It's the percentage of the season week 1 represents, and that's it. With 93.75% of the season to go, it amazes me how quickly some are willing to write off the St. Louis Rams? To be fair, the loss of a starting quarterback, and more recently defensive leader Chris Long, are enough to edge away from a staree-eyed dream of a St. Louis Super Bowl. Yet, I'm confounded by just how fans set their season sights?

It's as if fans align their team with a perfect mind's eye view. Ever so balanced, - let alone fragile - this version of a team must have stacked dream wins high, with little left in the way for skews like injuries or losses... When things go wrong, sliding off the yellow brick road for whatever reason, all is done, finished, over...

The NFL hasn't been kind to the Rams and their fans for some years now. In a Job-ian challenge to resilience and faith, Rams fans have suffered, lamented and produced every adjective imaginable as their team slips and slides from season to season. But they return each year, and I include myself among them. So for those who shout and scream they're giving up on the Rams, I have one thing to say: You're such a liar! You and I both know we'll never give up on the Rams. Oh, you may try not to watch Rams games for a week or so, but don't think for a  second I believe you won't quickly glance at the box score.

So let's get this "I give up!" stuff out of the way. It just ain't goin' to happen, and you know it. Look, I get it. The Rams loss to the Vikings was a dismal affair. The spectacular defense I, and other sports writers, expounded the entire off season wasn't evident in the Edward Jones Dome this past Sunday. Robert Quinn didn't have 28 1/2 sacks, and Jeff Fisher's ground n' pound offense never materialized. ONE GAME - that's it. With 15 more to go, how in the world can you give up so easily, let alone try to convince others in a comment thread it's the thing to do? Those of faint heart try to sound convincing, slathering on layers of "here's why" as they make their case. You know no one's buying it, right? You're here a Turf Show Times for a reason: You're a St. Louis Rams fan.

Venting is good for the soul, I guess. Some sling swear words around, others post pictures of scantily clad women in an effort to misdirect post game disappointment. Personally, I create a furniture burning alter-ego, and drown myself in Cheetos while chugging down the street in a now infamous Yugo... Whatever your pathos or method, it's all good. To be down right truthful, I wouldn't have it any other way. Sports is about our competitive hackles. Everyone hates to lose, let alone having to listen while hated foes revel in their successes. I truly appreciate the kindness of fans of teams who beat the Rams dropping into the comment threads to offer a consoling word or two. But I'd be lying if I didn't say I grit my teeth as I thank them for stopping by.

For now, I'll settle myself into a big room nestled in my mind's eye. This room is filled with each and every Rams fan, with TSTers' crowded near the long bar. We'll cheer together, and groan more than what seems fair too. We'll hoist glasses, and throw a few in the air at times. Win or lose, as we head to the doorway of my brilliant-mind tailgater party, each of us will glance at pictures covering the walls of my magnificent hall. Pictures of Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, Orlando Pace, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, "Crazy Legs" Hirsch, Tom Fears, Jack Youngblood will come to life as we pass by. They'll wink at us knowingly, and we'll nod with a smile. That's just the way it is...