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It has been quite a time for
the Rams since that last game in Seattle that cost them a playoff
spot. After a draft lockout and four preseason games, here come the
Rams, ready or not.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>In the past few days in my travels about town, the talk has turned from the Cardinals being done to what do you think about the Rams? People are overwhelmingly optimistic and that concerns me, as most of the support comes from a meaningless preseason that saw the Rams go undefeated.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>Nice, real nice, the Rams won some games that neither team was game-planning for.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>I wonder how good they are. I have heard and read that they are improved. Really? Oh, they cut Donnie Avery, Mardy Gillard and George Selvie, to name a few, and they are supposed to be better. Not long these guys were top draft picks for the Rams, ranging from rounds one to five. All gone after three seasons or less.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>So if the team is improved and these guys were taken in early rounds when the team was really bad, how do we really know if the new players are better? Remember, the same people who drafted and coached these other guys are now telling us that these new players should be better.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>I have two standing wagers that the Rams will be at least 8-8. I thought they meant they were going to win eight games over two seasons, and they corrected me and said it would happen this season. At that point, I was all over that bet.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>This time the urgency to win has overcome some. I even had someone remind me of the year that the Rams were dismissed, and they went on to win the Super Bowl. I remind them that team had more skill going into the season and they were going to be better. I also remind them of Haley’s Comet and its infrequent passing by the planet Earth.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>If I sound a bit crusty about the season, then maybe I looked at the schedule and asked where were the wins going to come from? Philadelphia, Giants, Baltimore, Washington, Green Bay, Dallas, New Orleans? One, maybe two wins out of those seven.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>Funny thing is, the only ones talking about their September predictions in January are those who have done well. Have you ever heard a guy on talk radio after his team went 3-13 talk about that 9-7 prediction he made?
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>No problem here, as I am quite comfortable in saying the Rams will go at best 6-10. Yes, I said it, 6-10. Tougher schedule, too many new faces and the lack of tested depth will do the Rams in.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>Talking in football tongues “font-family: Verdana;”>
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>When I am watching or listening to a football game, whenever I hear an analyst talking in “football tongues” I turn the sound down, change the channel or just turn it off. I am amazed that so many former players who turned broadcaster talk as if each viewer and listener were handed the same playbook they were when they played.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>While I get most of what they say, I find it comical that this is their security blanket – to give you jargon and verbiage that make them sound like an expert and you are not. Here is a news flash: the game has not changed that much. Terminology has changed but the plays have not, so why act as if you have discovered the new world? If you are going to use the terms, then explain them.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>Football is not that complicated. As John Madden once said, “There is no such thing as a dumb football player playing in the NFL because dumb football players can’t play.” The same can be said about the fan who really pays attention. The more verbiage, the more insecure the analyst seems to be. “font-family: Verdana;”>
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>Net loss “font-family: Verdana;”>
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>If you know me, you know I do not need a reason to watch Serena Williams on or off the court. It is the only reason I watch the U.S. Open, let alone any tennis match at length, as the rest of America is missing in action.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>The so-called child phenoms are getting their rackets and much more handed to them these days, and there is no relief in sight. The American women have a few hopefuls but it seems they take too long to get to the main stage, and by the time they do it is time for them to retire.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>As for the men, why bother?
