Bam, 3-9!  Another Rams victory.  First home win of the year.  I’m sticking to my comments of last week,  I still dislike Frerotte but he started this game hot, the whole team started fast.  Right away, the score to McMichael, who has unfortunately not been able to be a receiving threat this year because of the Rams blocking issues.  The next drive was more impressive, 95 yards in 6 plays capped off by the Holt 31 yard TD.  The 8 yard TD to Bruce in the 2nd moved him passed Cris Carter for 5th on the All Time receiving list.

As I watched the game, I started to get worried about the time the score became 21-9.  a 12 point lead isn’t very much when STL’s defense can give up a big play at any moment.  Then when ATL put together the quick scoring drive to move within 5 with over 7 minutes left all I could think about was “they are actually going to blow this lead.”

With not much more then 2 minutes left, ATL found themselves on the 9 yard line about to take the lead.  There is no way STL is this bad.  When Hill broke up the pass on 4th down, I was extra excited.  It saved the rally.  But the game wasn’t over, after the 2 min warning, a TO and an incomplete pass, ATL got the ball back.  And when they did, mister playmaker, Oshiomogho Atogwe snatched the deep pass out of the air when Redman tried to go deep to Jenkins.

After a no gain run and a TO, Steven Jackson busted out with a 50 yard TD run to all but lock up the win.  What a beautiful site.  After a failed ATL drive it was a reality, the Rams where 3-9 and still have a shot at finishing 2nd in the division.

“NFL.com writes
It was over when …
Rams defensive back O.J. Atogwe intercepted Falcons quarterback Chris Redman with less than two minutes remaining and St. Louis leading 21-16. The turnover snuffed out a potential go-ahead touchdown for Atlanta and set up the Rams’ clinching score.”

This is Atogwe’s 4th straight game with an interception and 2nd in the last 3 games that clinched the win.  He is becoming a playmaker and future star of this league.   This is also OJ’s 5th pick on the season, tying him with Ken Hamli, Anthony Henry, and Sean Taylor (RIP).  It also places him tied for third in the NFL win picks behind the super rookie Antonio Cromartie and Asante Samuel.
Help vote Atogwe to the Pro Bowl

St. Louis will face a Bengals team who has struggled to find consistency all year.  It will be a sight to seeif St. Louis’ DB’s can stop the trio of Chad Johnson, TJ Houshmanzahdeh, and Chris Henry.  It is uncertain who will get the start at QB for STL, Frerotte or Bulger.  My guess leans towards Bulger.  Jackson, Holt, and Bruce are looking good so this may be a good game.

You do not understand how much this loss hurt me and the rest of the football world everywhere.  Sean Taylor, this cannot happen to someone like Sean Taylor.  He was too tough, too strong, too good.  I have been a big fan of “the hitman” for years now, every since he was at Miami.  He was turning into one the the best in the game.  More importantly, he was turning his life around.  Every since the birth of his child, he was a better person.  Something like this should never happen.  Sure, he lived in Miami and probably had enemies.  But for someone to come into his home and shoot him is horrible.  Sure, you may not have expected him to be home, but you pulled the trigger and there is no going back.  The world has lost a great person.

The whole incident comes because of a previous break in just days before. Taylor, who had been healing an injury, did not take the flight with the team in hopes to solve personal issues around his house.  Had he gone with the team, who knows what have have happened. Whether is would be his girlfriend instead of him, or noone at all. You could assume all day, but the fact is, thats not what happened.  Taylor was there, at the wrong place at the wrong time and he is no longer hear because of it.

Normally, I am not an emotional person, but I have cried over this, just like when the year began and I heard the news of the tragic passing of Darrent Williams who I also looked up greatly to.  In this instant, I did not hear about the shooting until mid after noon when someone brought it up to me at lunch.  I quickly looked up the information to see if he was joking and unfortunately he wasn’t. It was tough to grasp what was really happening.  All night, I constantly checked in online to find the latest developments.  As the night grew on, it seemed like things where getting better.  There was even a report of him moving his hand.  I went to sleep that night with him on my mind, praying for him to get better, knowing he could pull through this.  When I awoke the next morning and read the news, I was devastated.  It was hard for me to get through the day.
Like I did with Darrent Williams, I seem the only way I can share my true feelings is through art.  I made a memorial for Darrent and I am in the process of creating one for Sean as well.

Gone but NEVER forgotten
Rest In Peace
Sean Michael Taylor
April 1, 1983 - November 27, 2007
Taken far too soon 

But I can’t help but say I HATE Gus Frerotte! The Rams had the game won!! 1st and goal with plenty of time! Isaac Bruce WIDE OPEN!!!! 4th down, half a foot to go, you have to do SOMETHING! Give somebody the CHANCE to make a play, all they need is a chance!
I couldn’t sit for the play so as I stood watching the possession with my heart beating 100 MPH with excitement that the Rams actually were going to beat the Hawks and maybe keep they playoff hopes alive. The snap… NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
I fell to the floor in disappointment. My body went numb. My emotions had gone from a major high to an extreme low in seconds. As soon as I regained some composer, the hatred started to flow. I blam it entirely on Frerotte. Not the center, not the line, not the coach, just Frerotte. If Marc doesn’t play this week, give the ball to Tate or something, not Frerotte, please, not Frerotte. Maybe sign someone right off the street. Heck, maybe Dan Marino will come out of retirement or something.
Jackson is playing through injury, as is Brice and Holt now, hopefully Bulger gets cleared and he can go. I can’t stand to see Frerotte ruin a game again.
It hurts me just to write about this.

The season is shot for good now. Hope they can stay healthy next year.

They are going to do it! The Rams will go 8-8 and MAKE the playoffs! BAM!! How do you like that for a bold prediction.  Bulger is Back!  Jackson is Back! The receivers are healthy, enough. The division is weak.  Heck, the conference is weak.  Through 11 weeks (10 games), not many teams have separated themselves from the rest of the NFC.  Sure, it appears Green Bay and Dallas are off on their own, but then there is Tampa abd Seattle at 6-4 leading their divisions.  the current wildcard spots go to New York and Detroit.  After them, no team in the NFC is over .500.  If the Rams role off a few wins…. maybe they have a chance.

If the defense and O-line step it up, good things will happen.  That is asking a lot.  I still believe in all honest 6 wins is reasonable; Seattle, Arizona, Atlanta and one more somewhere.  Unfortunately, that doesn’t help anything but morals.  Winning 5 or 6 games only hurts their draft position next year.  We need a good draft pick.

The win this past weekend against the division rival 49ers, marked the franchise’s 500th win.  A nice feet, but doesn’t mean much for this season.

Here is a look at the injury report of the Rams, this may explain some of the losses
IR:
Jerome Carter, depth at safety and special teams
Adam Goldberg, offensive line
Richie Incognito, offensive line
Leonard Little, arguably the best player on the defense
Orlando Pace, arguably the best player on the team
Mark Setterstrom, offensive line
Raonall Smith, depth at LB and special teams
Aaron Walker, emerging TE
That is just IR, Bulger has missed games. Jackson has missed games. Bruce, Hall, Bennett have been hurt while Holt hasn’t been 100% since his surgury.   Many more injuries that just kill everything they had going for them.  Many people picked them to go to the Super Bowl before the season, now they must be embarrassed.

The Rams get to face a Shaun Alexanderless Seattle Seahawks this week. Hasselbeck may not play also.  That just means the Rams would have to contain the everathletic Seneca Wallace.  They can get the job done.  Don’t be deceived by the 2-8 record, they are playing decent football now.  They could very easily be 5-5.

On another note, that you Steven Jackson, Torry Holt, Jeff Wlkons, and Marc Bulger for ruining my fantasy football seasons.  I’m only over .500 in one league, the one I don’t have Jackson.

I will leave you with my favorite stat: Through 10 games, Oshiomogho Atogwe leads the NFC of 3rd year players with 1 Interceptions this year.  He sealed the 49er game this weekend when he intercepted Trent Dilfer on the games final play.  Atogwe is also 2nd on the team in tackles behind Will Witherspoon.

It’s been a while since my last post, but I’m here now and there isn’t much positive to say. Injuries ruined the season, we have yet to win, and Steven Jackson ruined my fantasy team.
Injuries to players like possible NFL MVP Steven Jackson, Future Hall of Famer Orlando Pace, QB Marc Bulger, WRs Drew Bennett Isaac Bruce Dane Looker and Dante Hall (add on Holt’s previous injury which he isnt 100% from), Gs Adam Goldberg and Richie Incognito have really set us back. Thats just the offense, on defense, Tye Hill has missed time, Corey Chavous, James Hall, Leonard Little, Pisa Tinoisamoa have also been fighting injuries. Add on Fahkir Brown’s suspension and the team is weak.
Teams are picking them apart and they are having trouble

keeping up. Frerotte hasn’t played bad, but hasn’t done enough to lead them to victory. Brian Leonard has stepped in and is warming up. Who would have guessed the 2nd round pick of a RB would pay off like it has. Rams signed Brandon Williams to come in and compete for playing time at return and WR after all the injuries have come.
As much as I hate to say it now, I am looking at the schedule and I only see 5 or 6 wins at most. Along those lines, it may be better to lose and get a better draft choice next year. This season may be lost unfortunatly. If somehow, somehow we can find ways to win, the rest of the division isn’t looking to be too strong. Maybe the division is in reach.
It starts with Baltimore this weak. They have to find something and work with it.

The preseason is over, thank god, and it’s time to play games that matter.  The Rams will kick off their 2007 regular season at home against the Carolina Panthers.  The Rams come into the weekend pretty healthy.  I guess that’s what happens when your star running back doesnt see the field.  I’m not complaining, I saw what happened to Michael Vick a few years ago, and I see what San Diego has done for years.  LT doesn’t need to see the preseason and neither does Steven Jackson.  The only real injury I am interested to see is Torry Holt.  After having surgury, He has said it isn’t 100%.  Torry Holt at 80% is still a great receiver and I believe he is more healthy then most people think and he should put togetehr a good season.
The Panthers last played St. Louis last year during week 11 when The Panthers shut down the Rams’ high powered offense in St. Louis’ only shutout of the year, 0-15.  The overall series is also in Carolina’s favor as they have won 9 of 16 including the last two meetings.  Both teams are coming off 8-8 season last year and missing the playoffs by only one game.  Usually, the Edward Jones Dome is would be an advantage, but St. Louis is only 2-4 in their last 6 games at home.  Hopefully they can turn things around this season and use the turf to their advantage.
This matchup features one of the league’s top offenses against one of the league’s best defenses.  St. Louis has done all they can to win every high scoring affair in which they encounter this year.  Their offense is stacked with Pro Bowlers, Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson, and Torry Holt and the #1 overall draft pick of the 1997 draft, and one of the leagues best offensive lineman, Orlando Pace is healthy and ready to dominate.  The real test will come from the other side of the line.  2005 first round pick, Alex Barron will have his hands full all day as he goes against arguably the best defensive player in the league, Julius Peppers.  I understand letting Peppers get his tackles because I know it will happen, but I would like to see him off Bulger all day.  If Barron can do that, the Rams have a great shot to put up big numbers.
The other side of the ball is both teams weakpoint.  As of now, Jake Delhomme is Carolina’s starting quarterback, though I feel David Carr is right up close and ready to play at any moment.  Carr can be a good QB if he gets protection, something Houston doesn’t offer.  Also in battle for a stating job is both running backs, DeAngelo Williams and DeShaun Foster.  Last year Williams beat up St. Louis’ defense for more then 100 yards on the ground but coming into this year, it appears Foster will start the game.  Both backs will get their share of carries.  The most important thing for the Rams to do is to rattle Delhomme.  With a weak secondary this week, Tye Hill will do the best he can to run with and stop Steve Smith all game.  Not an easy task for a second year player.  With Fahkir Brown’s suspension, thirs year player, Ronald Bartell has jumped into the other starting corner position.  Bartell was drafted as a corner, but was moved to safety. He doesn’t have too much in-game experience but he can get the job done. 
Another key for the Rams is to limit Carolina’s return yardage.  This has been a big problem for a long time now.  If they can win the field position battle, I can’t see Caolina winning this game.

My final projections are:
St Louis - 27
Carolina - 23
Steven Jackson will rush for 167 yards and 2 scores
Marc Bulger will throw for 242 yards, 1 touchdown to Holt, and 1 interception
Jake Delhomme will throw for 189 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions
Steve Smith will go over the century mark with 132 yards receiving and a score
Williams and Foster will total 128 yards on the ground with Williams scoring a TD

At the time of this post this is the current market prices for Rams players on Protrade.com
Jackson - $305.02
Bulger - $234.49
Holt - $185.59
Wilkins - $127.94
Bruce - $108.07
Bennett - $86.93
McMichael - $62.76
I will update this list with my weekend recap

It’s been a while, but fans who saw the Rams go into Oakland and face the Raiders saw something nobody had seen for a long while; a healthy and efficient Daunte Culpepper.  He looked sharp in his first preseason start.

“I feel like I have a lot to offer a club,” Culpepper said. “I feel like I’m a starter, but at the same time I have to do what’s best for the team.”

The Rams on the other hand, didn’t look so sharp.  Again, the starters were unable to find the endzone.  They did manage to put up a field goal in the second quarter for their only points in 11 drives this preseason.  Bulger didn’t look too impressive going only 8 for 21 for 109 yards.

“We didn’t move the ball the way we should have,” Bulger said. “I’m disappointed we didn’t score more.”

A reoccuring theme, Jackson played one play, a pass to Bruce.  Holt got the night off.  Leonard got the work with first team, but only put up 20 yards on 6 carries.  It’s not good when your third string quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who may not even make the team, is your leading rusher.  He ripped off a 30 yard scramble.

Chris Carr had an 80-yard kickoff return for Oakland in the fourth quarter proving once again, St. Louis’ special teams needs work. 

 The final score was another disappointing 20-10 Raiders win.  St. Louis will finish the preseason at home against the Kansas City Chiefs.  Larry Johnson is expected to play.

Rams fan’s really shouldn’t read much into this preseason if this is what they get in return.  Obviously, playing San Diego, you know you arn’t going to see Tomlinson.  But now, when teams face St. Louis, will they see Jackson?  Jackson was on the field for 1 play, a pass to Holt, during the San Diego game.  In the first two preseason games he has a grand total of 0 carries, yes, zero.  Rookie Brian Leonard isn’t getting shorted at all.  He had another 17  carries for 49 yards.

One major thing this game showed  needs improvement is ball control.  The Rams are having too many turnovers this preseason.  Bulger is a bit careless with the football at times.  It is the preseason so you can take some of those risks now, but I hope there is no carry-over to the regular season.

“When you know you only have three or four series you press a little bit,” Bulger said. “I probably took some risks I shouldn’t have and I’ve got to do a better job of protecting the ball.”

Special teams needs improvement as well.  Sure, Dante Hall may be the return man we need, but that isn’t the only part of special teams we needed to improve on.  Punt and Kick coverage has been horrid.  We allowed 3 total kick or punt return TDs last years, two scores too Devin Hester on Monday night nast year, and Darren Sproles reached the endzone last night.  If we want to win games, we need to win the field position battle.  If you allow scores without their offense on the field, it kills any momentum and puts too much pressure on the offense.

The final score ended in a disappointing 30-14 Charger win.  The Rams play Daunte Culpepper and his Raiders next week.

The Rams will play their second preseason game of the year against the new look Chargers.  A fantasy man’s team matchup, LT vs Action Jackson.  Unfortunatly, this is preseason and you know what that means, no LT.  Starters will only play a few drives for both teams.  Rams probably should walk away with a win tonight.  The defense looked pretty good last week and I hope they can do that again.  Fitzpatrick suffered an injury last week that wasn’t known about until after the weekend ended.  That explains his troubles.  Rookie Brian Leonard will get more experience tonight against a good defense. 

Tuesday was the release of Madden NFL 08.  Of course, being the football fan I am, I rushed out to get it.  I am going to be doing game previews for each regular season game on Thursdays.  For Preseason, I figured I would kick it off this week.  I do a full, 15 minute quarter game on Super Sim and record some big plays or moments. For regular season, I will turn up game speed and make the previews more accurate.  This was my first test sim.

Chargers recieved the kickoff and put together a nice drive that was capped off by a 43 yard TD pass from Philip Rivers to Eric Parker.  The Rams weren’t so lucky as they went 3 and out.  A little later in the quarter, Bulger was intercepted by marlon Mccree as he attempted to throw across the middle to McMichael.  The Chargers couldn’t capitalize and punted.  The punt by Scifres was a beauty as it went out of bounds at the 1.  The Rams put together a 19 play drive that ended with 10 straight run plays and a 1 yard TD run by Travis Minor.  The drive tied the game up at 7 midway through the first quarter.  Later, as the first quarter winded down, Bulger through another interception, this time to Shawne Merriman.  The interception then lead the Chargers to a field goal to take the lead.  After a good kick return by Dante Hall, the Rams put together a quick successful drive through the air as Bulger went 4/5 for 45 yards and threw a 5 yard TD to Bruce.  Bulger later connected with Randy McMichael for a 48 yard TD pass.
The first quarter ended 21-10 Rams
The second quarter began with fumbles by each team but the Rams capitalized with Bulger hitting Holt for a 2 yard lob to the corner of the endzone.  LT, still playing in the 2nd quarter (only on a video game), busted free for an 86 yard TD run in the middle of the quater.  The Rams responded nicely with a long drive that lead to another Bulger TD, this time a 6 yard pass to McMichael.  The Rams later tacked on a FG.  LT, still playing, busted another huge TD run later on, this time for 75 yards.  Steven Jackson responded with a 57 yard TD of his own on the next drive.  Jackson scored again with just under a minute to go.  The half ended on an Oshiomogho Atogwe interception of a Philip Rivers hail mary pass.
The teams went into half with the high scored of 52-24.
The backups came in for the second half.  After a few punts, Gus Frerotte hit Dane Looker on a 11 yard TD pass.  A few more punts later Billy Volek lead the Chargers to a TD drive of their own as he hit ex-Ram Brandon Manumaleuna on a 9 yard Td catch.  Rams responded with a FG and tacked on a few more as the quarter progressed. 
The thrid quarter ended with a 72-31 score.
The Chargers ran the ball well to start the quarter and Michael Turner found the endzone on a 4 yard run.  Brock Berlin came in for the Rams for the 4th quarter but couldn’t get much going.  Turner found the endzone again a little later on a two yard run.  As the end came closer, Tod Johnson picked off Volek and the Rams used the momentum to get another FG.  The next drive resulted in a Lenny Walls pick that he returned for a touchdown.  The next drive resulted in another pick by Atogwe that lead to another FG.  The game ended with an incomplete hail mary pass by Volek.

A high scoring game, 88-45 Rams get the victory.  Only in a video game will you see scores like that.  my real prediction is:
Rams: 23
Chargers: 14