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It was not that long ago that I
made a prediction that the Rams would not have a good season. As a
matter of fact, I even went as far to say they would have a record
of 6-10. I was scorned by some and questioned by others as to my
own sanity.
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I am here to
tell you today that I was wrong about the Rams. I knew better when
I made that prediction, and I should have listened. I was wrong.
The Rams are going to be worse than 6-10. The sad thing is
it is a team effort.
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Let’s start
at the top. Where are the Rams getting these guys? Other than Sam
Bradford, the obvious needs have not been addressed. When you draft
that high over the last few years, those players have to be
impactful, dominant players. They have not been.
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The Rams have
been in need of a bona fide receiver since they ran off Torry Holt,
and the best they could come up with is an undersized free agent
and a talented free agent with five surgeries on the same knee.
Notice, I mentioned free agents? They have yet to draft a
difference-maker.
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Let’s move on
to the coaching. I understand they are short-handed on talent, but
how many times can we hear from coaches after a loss that they were
happy with the effort? I thought that they were paid to
try.
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And how is it
that your best receiver sits out the first game, not to mention
your first-round draft pick?
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As I watched
a rookie attempt to field a punt only to fumble it a way, I asked
myself when did he field punts during preseason? The answer: he
didn’t. The guy who was fielding all the punts was cut.
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On to the
players. How many more weeks will we wonder if Stephen Jackson will
be available to play in a game? Jackson has been gallant in
fighting through injuries, but at some point there has to be a real
plan B.
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I did not
even bring up the killer schedule that is in front of them. In case
you are wondering, the Baltimore Ravens and Ray Lewis pay a visit
to St. Louis this weekend. Yep, I was wrong.
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Wild
Cardinals
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Just when
they were about to play taps for the Cardinals season, there was a
faint heartbeat. They find themselves in the hunt for a wildcard
spot. We have not seen this sort of baseball in some time. It has
been an interesting run to say the least, but the Cardinals are
running out of games. What looked as if it was going to be a ho hum
season finale at home has all of a sudden turned into must-watch
baseball.Â
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Shut
up and fight
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I am real fan
of the skill level of Floyd Mayweather. He has as much talent as
anyone who laces up gloves in the world of boxing. But what’s up
with all the antics? The 24/7 reality show on HBO has turned him
and his family, hangers on and wannabes into a modern version of a
dysfunctional Beverly Hillbillies.
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Fast-forward
to Saturday night when he sucker-punches a guy to win a fight he
was already winning. If Floyd lost his cool for being head-butted,
I get it. To act as if it were business as usual is flat out
silly.
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I do give him
points for airing out Larry Merchant. If there was ever a person
that deserved it, I would start with Merchant and save some for Jim
Gray.
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As for
Mayweather, just shut up and fight Manny
Pacquiao.Â
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Go,
Devon
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Devon
Alexander has signed on with Oscar De LaHoya and Golden Boy
productions. Good for him, but what does that mean?
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There are a
lot of good fighters in Alexander’s weight class and the one above
him. Golden Boy and HBO are business partners, and they will have a
say on who makes the TV bouts. From what we have seen from
Alexander lately, there is work to do to be back on HBO. The clock
is ticking on whether Alexander is the real deal or not. To be on
the sidelines too long will doom his career. If he has to fight
somewhere other than St. Louis to regain credibility, then by all
means do it. This will always be home.
