You're echoing thoughts that I've had but didn't post.
You all know the expression "seeing the world through rose-colored glasses"
I think that for many fans (UNDERSTANDABLY), ever since the pain of the SB loss, they are seeing the Rams through "disappointment-colored" glasses.
It's making some people who aren't doom and gloomers quite cautious and pessimistic.
For me, once I got over the loss (and I did, very quickly), I actually look back fondly on last season as a great season, and a harbinger of seasons to come.
Ramily!
