...spending lots of time in a kayak in the Pearl River swamp in Louisiana and occasionally feeling wary of the huge gators that are common out there. This was especially true when I would paddle over a gator (unknowingly to both me and the gator) that was barely submerged in the murky water, and it would suddenly detect me and violently thrash, sending water into the air as if a depth charge went off. I believe your explanation is correct. Rams fans are feeling antsy simply because this is the latest challenge and threat to success.