History of a Rams Fan: Surviving in Eagles Land
Rams fans don’t grow on trees in Cherry Hill, or South Jersey. In fact, if you don’t obsess over the Eagles in this area, you’re considered a HUGE fraud. And by rule of the radio – if you don’t like the Eagles, then you can’t like any of the other three teams (Phillies, Flyers, 76ers). Well, too god damn bad. I created and have lived with my own configuration since the beginning, and if you know me, I’d be the biggest fraud to EVER go back on that. Now, I am also carrying on a strong tradition that was created by my father who fell in love with the helmets in 1971 as a four year old. He constantly fought against his dad, who was known for his Eagles love, and I figured he needed some help once I came into the picture. I was 6 when they won their first Superbowl and was 8 when they lost to the Patriots, even though my optimistic young mind had a dream that night that Vinatieri missed the field goal and the game itself was a bad dream. I convinced my entire third grade that we’d be champs on Monday– I wore my dad’s blue & gold Kurt Warner jersey every day to school leading up to Superbowl Sunday (I may have mixed in Faulk once or twice). I’ve been fighting off Eagles fans since the beginning. They all want me because they know the enthusiasm is there – but I’m no conformist. I’ll go to the games and tailgates because I love the game of football and the atmosphere that it creates. But don’t get it twisted; I was put on this planet to root for the Rams. My first AOL Instant Messenger official screen name was RamsFan4eva1001. I can’t go back now – I never will. I’m still as fanatical as I’ve ever been. When you can feel the fire in your stomach – that’s when you know it’s real. It’s been a nightmare ever since and I’m here to help resurrect this historic franchise. My brother (and best friend) has become a permanent resident of Southern California, chasing his dream in the film school at USC. He can walk to the Coliseum every day if he wants to – bringing me that much closer to the Rams. The Rams are and always will be a huge part of my life, and I figure that if I can talk about them, study, wrote and analyze them daily, then I’m using my passion for the right reasons.
The following Rams stats should make you feel better about your squad.
-Haven’t been to the playoffs since 2004 (8-8 record).
-Since 1937, they are exactly .500 (544-544-21).
-3 Superbowl appearances in 51 opportunities (going on 52).
-They haven’t won more than 8 games since 2003.
-Ranked bottom 3 in NFL in total offense 4 times in the last 6 years.
-Owner Stan Kroenke has his hands in many other business ventures, includes owning the Denver Nuggets wasted top picks on Greg Robinson (2nd overall, 2014), Sam Bradford (1st overall, 2010) Jason Smith (2nd overall, 2009), Chris Long (2nd overall, 2008), undoubtedly setting the franchise back 10 years.
-Sam Bradford was born, drafted and signed to a six-year, $78 million contract with $50 million guaranteed. Was then traded to PHL for Nick Foles, widely known as “the most pathetic starting QB swap in NFL history”.
-Sean McVay is the youngest HC in NFL History.
-Featured on Hardknocks in 2016, lead to Fisher/Boras (HC/OC) firing, QB problems, 4-12 season
-Greatest player in Franchise History, Eric Dickerson was banned from sidelines of Coliseum in 2016
-Tavon Austin signed a four-year, $42 million contract in 2016. Randy Moss signed a three-year, $27 million deal on March 3rd of 2008 with the patriots. What does that tell you?
-Lost Janoris Jenkins to NYG and T.J. McDonald to MIA to Free Agency, two Rams-drafted, pro-bowl caliber defensive backs. And we'll most likely lose Trumaine Johnson this upcoming offseason.
-Aaron Donald still hasn’t gotten paid.
-St. Louis fans are still upset about the move (and are upset with ownership, specifically Stan Kroenke)
-Los Angeles fans are currently being revived and reborn.
Key Offseason Acquisitions:
Free Agency / via Trade – Andrew Whitworth, Sammy Watkins, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Kayvon Webster Draft – Gerald Everett, Cooper Kupp, Josh Reynolds, Jon Johnson
At a glance:
The Los Angeles Rams offense (in 2016) was as miserable as a cold February day in New Jersey. Their offensive line was disgraceful, their QB play was uncertain and their play calling was atrocious. Solidifying the line and adding weapons for JG are the two biggest priorities of the 2017 offseason: and I would love to believe that they were both properly addressed. Let’s break something down quickly: Sammy Watkins was traded for E.J. Gaines and a second round pick in 2018. Gaines suffered a hamstring injury early in the preseason, but is likely to start on the right side for Buffalo in Week 1. E.J. was an undrafted player from Missouri, where the St. Louis Rams of the past used to recruit directly from their camps. He was a “Fisher” guy, during a time where the franchise needed access to cheap resources. Regardless, I still look at this as a massive win for a team that struggled mightily in the “Offensive Production” field – they averaged 14 points per game in 2016 and totaled an average of just 262 yards per game. The Los Angeles Rams (in their first year of existence since 1994) went 4-12 and were ranked DEAD LAST in the league in total offense. Gurley was overused, the offensive coordinator was unprepared and Jeff Fisher was…. Jeff Fisher. PATHETIC. Usually, football fans prefer explosive offenses and touchdowns. The Rams of the past provide NONE of that.
Rams 2017 Preview – Trusting the Process | a New Direction:
At Last, the 2017 NFL season is upon us. Here are some key positions/progressions to focus on:
QUARTERBACKS: Jared Goff, Sean Mannion
Dickerson mentioned on the Herd that he saw Mannion in practice and loved his raw ability, saying “He can really throw it, why aren’t they playing him?” When being asked the question: “Jared Goff, can he play?” He responded with a sigh and replied with: “that Offense looked like a high school offense”.
Mannion ran a pro-style offense at Oregon State and Dickerson believes that he could give them the best chance to win. I like that there is QB drama because last year, because Case Keenum was handed the keys to the city. Pathetic. Goff will start, but let’s see how he progresses. The protection is there, featuring a key addition of Pro-Bowl LT Andrew Whitworth. All Eyez on Goff.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Sammy Watkins, Tavon Austin, Cooper Kupp, Josh Reynolds, Nelson Spruce, Robert Woods
Besides Bruce & Holt, the Rams receiving core has been inconsistent for a lifetime. It’s hard to believe that Steven Jackson AND Marshall Faulk are top 5 receivers in franchise history. Gurley must develop his pass catching ability in order to take his game to the next level. That being said – WELCOME TO LA, Sammy Watkins. It feels great to say that. I am reluctant to believe that Tavon is a gimmick player, but as an overpaid third option, he just needs to add value and misdirection to the offense. I have faith that McVay finds a way to incorporate him successfully, featuring him in the slot, in motion and over the top. If the new kids – Watkins, Woods, Cooper and Kupp find a way to make a splash, it could be fun (for once). Kenny Britt was the first 1,000 yard receiver since Tory Holt in 2007 (1,187). He will now rot in Cleveland. Smell the dog (dick) pound.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Michael Brockers, Aaron Donald, Matt Longacre, Mike Purcell, Tanzel Smart, Ethan Westbrooks
Aaron Donald’s holdout is just pissing me off. Yesterday, an article was published by Adam Schein, titled: “Pay the man, Rams! Donald deserves whatever he wants”. What an asshole you are, Adam Schein. Aaron Donald, at his prime, does not impact the game like an All-Pro quarterback does. He played all 16 games last year (4-12 record) and is under contract for two more years on his rookie deal. Donald is set to make $1.8 million this season and $6.9 million in 2018 (Rams picked up his fifth year option in April). He wants more money this year, and he deserves it. I understand where he’s coming from and he should be making closer to $6.9 this year opposed to next year. He just wants his contract restructured (he’s looking around and noticing others, with less ability, have gotten paid) but the Rams own his rights. Even a player with Donald’s skill set doesn’t win you games directly – ask Houston’s J.J. Watt or Philadelphia’s Fletcher Cox. Regardless, he is a key contributor to the defense and is a unanimous All-Pro for years to come – so you might as well pay him because the holdout is continuing with no end in sight. The season is slightly over 24 hours away from starting. IF DONALD DOESN’T SHOW, It’s all about Wade Phillips here. It’s his 40th year in the NFL and he’s physically held and kissed the Lombardi trophy in the last three years… so he’s a winner and we like him on our side. I also like whose left – subtracting Eugene Sims and William Hayes, both Fisher’s guys. Just lost Dominique Easley to a torn ACL, but they should be fine against the run. The defense has top 10 potential. Robert Quinn & Connor Barwin are considered linebackers this year, which is why they are not featured. They will be key contributors.
Let’s be honest – the Rams (realistically) do not have a good shot to make the playoffs. They haven’t been there since 2004 (Sean McVay just received his driver’s license and graduated high school at 17 years old). They play well within the division and needed a full year to adjust to the move. If you include the key offensive acquisitions, we can find eight wins on the schedule. They were an ugly 3-1 last year because their defense has a ton of talent and they controlled the time of possession. Two things that they still need to focus on in 2017. The Rams offense has to be persistent for four quarters. Not just the first or second half.
2017/2018 Projection: 8-8, 3rd in NFC West
I expect a lot, but that doesn’t mean I get a lot. They always play well within the division – 4 wins against San Francisco and Arizona isn’t impossible. Splitting with Seattle puts them at 5, which is 1 more than projected. Why does it feel like I’m asking for a lot? Behind McVay, the offense will at least be somewhat explosive and stimulating. They added a huge weapon in Watkins and will stick to Goff’s progression-let’s see how it works out for them, Cotton.
