Why I’m excited for the 2018 Los Angeles Rams

As part of SB Nation NFL Theme Week this week, we’re looking at why fans of every NFL team should be excited for the 2018 season.

This month is a new experience for fans of the Los Angeles Rams, at least those who have come on board in roughly the last 15 years.

For the first time in about a decade and a half and for the first time in Turf Show Times history, the Rams head toward the regular season with legitimate, sincere expectations to make the playoffs. And to win beyond Week 17 of the regular season.

So to the degree that I or any Rams fan is excited about this season, it’s offensively blatant as to why. I think the bigger question is one of satisfaction.

We’re all excited for the season. But for what outcomes? And to what longevity?

One of the more fascinating polls I’ve seen was from TST’s own Sosa Kremenjas back in April when he set up an uncomfortable dichotomy. Would you rather achieve greatness in one year and have nothing else to show for it or be relevant for a decade without ever reaching the mountaintop?

I was honestly surprised at how lopsided it was. I sincerely thought a greater population of fans would want the longer period of success than the fleeting ephemera of Lombardi-tinged excellence.

And that’s what I wonder what fans are really excited for.

Yes, the 2018 LA Rams look good enough on paper to compete for an appearance in Super Bowl LIII. And yes, with RB Todd Gurley and WR Brandin Cooks locked up for the long-term as QB Jared Goff and WRs Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp are all set for the medium-term future, the Rams have a great offensive core for Head Coach Sean McVay for the near future.

And maybe that’s what I’m really excited for. A setup. A prologue.

Because as great as the author is, the book still needs to be written.