As much as Fisher has left a bad taste in our mouths, Linehan and Spags were even worse. 2007-2011 were mostly futile, with FOUR seasons under four wins. At that point, "7-9 bull$**t" didn't sound so bad.
It's those years more than any that have given the Rams a lingering aura as basement dwellers. If we'd had more 7-9 or 9-7 seasons in there, we wouldn't be considered, prior to this year, one of the NFL's dumpster fires.
2006: 8-8 / Linehan
2007: 3-13 / Linehan
2008: 2-14 / Linehan (Haslett)
2009: 1-15 / Spagnuolo
2010: 7-9 / Spagnuolo (Note: Bradford OROY)
2011: 2-14 / Spagnuolo