Feature Article
Steeler Game
BeaverRam
Staff Writer
What a week, eh? Rams play like shit again on Thursday while I was away from home all weekend with the flu running a table tennis tournament in Sacramento. I am now back home and in the words of the most overrated band in history besides the Rolling Stones, “I’m back. I’m back from the Sacto again.” I have just now been able to watch the game and what a surprise – all the emails and chatter about this game were pretty much spot on.
The talk of firing Linehan has now taken on new meaning for most of you thanks to the 4th down plays. I beg to differ however. 4th and 6 is a lot better then 4th and 10, yes, but if he had run a play on that down and failed, then everyone would be talking about how stupid it was to go for it. Also, when faced with that decision, I’m sure he wasn’t saying to himself that in a few minutes we’ll be at 4th and 10 and will need to go for it so I’d better go for it now too. You cannot call a play based on anticipation of what will transpire on the next set of downs. It was 4th and 6 and he punted. Everyone is assuming that if we had run a play that it would have been successful. Maybe, maybe not. How many points have we scored in the second half all year? Way less than 100. So maybe the Coach was going off of that. At any rate, the decision to punt on 4th and 6 cannot be judged on going for it later WHEN WE HAD TO on 4th and 10. Just my opinion, of course.
There were three other plays that I would like to focus on. One play is when Bulger was almost sacked and the defender slammed his arm into Bulger’s head. Should have been a 15 yard penalty and first down, but no, we were playing the AFC and the Steelers. And the Zebras. Visions of Kurt Warner being rocked in the head and throwing the interception in SB36 that was returned for a TD raced through my brain. Second play was on a punt and as Williams started to return it the defender stuck out his leg and tried to trip him. I could see it clear as day and so could my 9 year old son. Should have been 15 yards added to the end of the run, but no. We were playing the AFC and the Steelers. And the Zebras. Third play was when the defender grabbed our lineman’s facemask and held onto it for the entire play. Last I heard that was illegal; in fact, it has been called on us several times this year. Should have been a personal foul and a first down, but no. We were playing the AFC and the Steelers. And the Zebras. Overall, the officials did a decent job, but these three OBVIOUS fouls that were disregarded really make me wonder if there is indeed bias. Check that – makes me know there is!
As far as the fan base goes, I know I ripped into it last week and I was really hoping to be able to apologize. So I will……..to Marshall Faulk! What the hell is going on out there in STL? Right before halftime on a booth review of another tap dance catch by Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce that was overturned and ruled a catch, there were so many boos that Gumbel remarked “It’s hard to gauge the crowd reaction. We have as many Steelers fans inside here as Rams fans, and the Steelers fans are much louder.” And he was right. The boos outdid the cheers by a mile. But I thought for sure it would change for Marshall. I was disgusted when it didn’t. Marshall Faulk should have been looking at a sea of Blue and Gold, not Black and Gold. Frickin applause for about two seconds? Give me a break. That place should have been rockin. If I lived anywhere near the Dome I would have found some way to get there. You PSL holders don’t like the management, fine, but it was Marshall for God’s sake. You could have waited until after halftime to leave, like staged a walkout or something. And when Shaw and Zyggy were announced, they should have been booed off the stage. But I guess all of that would have meant more Rams fans than Steelers fans were there. Or at least louder. What a frickin disgrace! Sorry Marshall.
And that’s all I’ve got to say ‘bout that. I wish you all happy days and a great new year.
Go Rams!
