| I will not apologize. I received
several angry letters from Rams fans after last week’s Musings. If you’ll
recall, I picked the Buccaneers to beat the Rams in the NFC championship game. They railed
against me as an idiot, someone who had no business being a football writer and a general
blight on society.
(I also called Rams fans bandwagon-jumpers, which may have been a bit of a cheap shot.
I’m sure there are some loyal Rams fans in St. Louis who have bled blue and gold for
the last five years. I’m also sure it’s not nearly as many as have claimed the
Rams as favorites this year. To the real fans, I apologize. To the rest, choose a side and
stick with it, huh?)
I’ll admit, the Rams showed me something in their defeat of the Bucs. They proved
they could win a close game — albeit with the help of the worst instant-replay call
of the year. Tony Dungy and Tampa Bay have been hosed by the "after further
review" crew too often this year. They are past due on the kismet meter.
But the Rams’ shortcomings also showed through. Their offense is good, but
it’s not unstoppable. And their defense can be pushed around in the running game. St.
Louis will have trouble next week against Tennessee, a team similar to Tampa Bay
defensively but with a little more offensive punch.
Still, the Rams deserve to be in Atlanta. They were the best team in a weak NFC this
season.
In the hate mail, I was also accused of being someone who didn’t like the Rams. I
shouldn’t respond to such cheap shots from people who don’t even know me.
It’s true the Rams have never been favorites of mine. But to prove I’m not
biased, I decided to list some things I like about the Rams.
Kurt Warner — How could you not like his story? I like his tenacity and his
willingness to stand in the pocket. I like how unfazed he has been by all the additional
pressure. I was impressed by the way he played this season.
Marshall Faulk — He got my vote for MVP this season. How’s that for anti-Rams
bias?
Isaac Bruce — When healthy, Bruce is, in my opinion, one of the top three or four
receivers in football. I like his big-play ability.
Kevin Carter — I’ve been a fan of Carter for a couple of years now. Earlier
this season, I picked him as the player I would choose to build a defense around. There
aren’t enough stud defensive ends in the league anymore, so someone like Carter
deserves respect.
Todd Lyght — I like the fact that he spells his last name with a "y."
So, even though the Rams’ pregame introductions looked like a bad WWF ripoff, I
can still admire some things about the Rams. Even though Billy Jenkins wins the
poor-sportsmanship award of the millennium for his juvenile, classless display near the
Bucs’ sideline at the end of the NFC title game, I can be happy for Warner and the
other good guys on the Rams’ roster.
What people must realize is that my analysis is separate from any personal feelings I
might have about the teams involved. I thought the Bucs would give the Rams a good game
and have a chance to win, and that’s what happened. Nothing personal against the
Rams.
Oh, by the way, Tennessee 28, St. Louis 17. |
