The love for the St. Louis Rams was rekindled a couple of weeks back when NFL Network paid homage to the 1999 team that took the league by storm with a thrilling regular season, followed by a dramatic postseason, to claim the first-ever NFL title in the city of St. Louis. As I viewed the special at home, it seemed like it was just yesterday.
Nobody knew what to expect from the Rams. They were so bad from seasons prior that you were afraid to cheer the execution of a play, because it probably would be negated for a holding call, off-sides or any infraction, since the Rams had reputations for being undisciplined under former coaches Rich Brooks and Dick Vermeil. But this team was different from any other we’ve ever witnessed in St. Louis.
With Dick Vermeil in charge in his third season as coach, the Rams were 1st in offense with 32.9 pointed per game and 4th in defense with 15.1 points allowed per game. The Rams scored a season low of 21 points in a week 7 loss against now Rams and former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher. And their lowest point total in a win was 23 on the road against the San Francisco 49ers in week 10.
This was one of the greatest times for many St. Louisans. Many of us who suffered during the Bill Bidwell era of ineptness with the Big Red rejoiced, thanks in part to a rebuilt offensive line and an offensive coordinator, Mike Martz, who helped to revolutionize the passing game. Throw in the speed and grace displayed by Isaac Bruce and Az Zahir Hakim, the strength and will of Torry Holt, the ability of Rickey Proehl to always find first-down marker, Kurt Warner, and the most versatile running back in the Hall of Fame named Marshall Faulk.
The other cool thing about that season was Nelly and the St. Lunatics taking off. This city was so electric during that time. “Country Grammar” was picking up momentum just like the St. Louis Rams were. The Show-Me State was the center of attention. And just like Nelly, when the stage got bigger for the Rams they played even better, slugging it out against Warren Sapp and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to make it into the Super Bowl.
We all know how it ended with Mike Jones making the tackle at the goal line. In hindsight, I wonder how good the Rams would’ve been had Dick Vermeil stayed? Then again, Mike Martz didn’t do too bad, winning 60 percent of his games and taking the Rams to the playoffs four of the five years he was head coach. That included a Super bowl trip that resulted in a loss to the New England Patriots and an almost complete shift in power in the NFL.
Nevertheless, the walk down memory lane was good for many that maybe didn’t appreciate the nice run the Rams had. And with training camp very close on the horizon, it’s time for the Rams to create new memories so the fire stays permanently lit as it does for the other two professional sport franchises in St. Louis.
For more Rams Roundup go to youtube.com/stlamericanvideo
