But '68 is a vivid memory. And the Mud Bowl. I could still have nightmares of Fran Tarkenton. And Tom Mack still hasn't moved!by RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
That will probably change dramatically on Sunday. But right now ... I think this team has weathered a lot of storms, veteran leadership, and a track record of growth through the season. I think Von and Eric will really help us. Nick Scott is playing better. I hope Jones comes back--he could make a BIG difference. But we have GOT to play disciplined, relentless football. Cold-blooded. Tby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
They tackle relentlessly for 4 quarters. Not before. No amount of passion will win this. Not until we have a lead they cannot overcome in the time left. Which will probably be in the last seconds. I want cold blooded discipline. Tackling, tackling, tackling. I do not know if this defense has that in them. I do think Von and Eric will help a lot, along with Jalen. Veteran cool. Disciplineby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
Ooops. Typo in the subject line reversed my meaning. The question is, does it bother the players and coaches? I'll say this. Streaks like this are very hard to break. They become mental obstacles, and those are not easy to overcome. Thing is, passion and anger are not the key to beating a streak like this. The problem has been mental breakdown and inconsistent discipline. The only aby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
How many of you were told before a HS football game, "all we have to do is block and tackle and we'll be fine"? Of course, the NFL is a different universe of complexity and difficulty from anything I ever experienced. But in this particular game, I think it comes down to this fundamental: blocking & tackling. They do these fundamentals better than we do and they do them relentby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
That's my answer. They play with enormous mental discipline. They play at a high but not stratospheric level and they do it for 60 minutes. And they are structured to attack our weaknesses, especially on defense. Our ceiling is higher than theirs, but we often dip well below their standard level of play. And they don't dip. They have for 6 games believed they can whup us. They've provby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
I'd pick Jones as the best guy to get back. They attack the 2nd level and he is a big upgrade there. Then I guess it's Whit/Joe. One of those guys needs to be healthy. If not ...by RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
One of the most fascinating aspects of sports is the mental game. Against the Whiners, we have a lot to prove against a team that has had the mental edge on us for years. Now, in general, I feel pretty good about our mental game. We have proven in many games that we can remain focused and play pretty well down the stretch. That win against TB is the sort of thing that raises a team's competitiby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
The way the pause, FF, and Rew buttons help me manage the emotions. (Whispered confession: I sometimes FF through opponent drives that don't look good! Don't tell anyone.)by RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
Lots of posts last night and today from old geezers like me on that game’s threat to aging hearts. (I’m 67 and have faithfully followed the horns since ’68.) Well, here’s my experience. You see, I hate commercials. I understand that they make possible the world of media that I enjoy so much. But I hate and avoid them as much as possible. So, I never watch games live. I record them (YouTubeby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
What are the 2 different kinds of win that a sports fan can get excited about? A dominant victory demonstrating one's team's superiority. A dramatic, last second snatching of victory from the ashes of defeat. Right? Well, yesterday, we got both in 1 game! We dominated that game for 3 quarters, clearly and unambiguously showing our superiority and our excellence in virtually every asby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
I did not say they weren't legitimate issues. They are and I am writing about them in this thread. I AM saying that the capacity to steal a game is, in itself, a major asset and is just as legitimately worthy of celebration.by RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
I don't know why you would talk about recency bias. I was as frustrated as everyone else for 3 Qs. And I am NOT saying that M S does not have issues. He clearly does. I think that the most important one is his inaccuracy, a problem that has been persisting for quite a while. Remember that he was bailed out of several poor throws by incredible catches, notably by Higbee, Jefferson and OBJ. Hby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
I don't know if anyone as "asked for perfection." I do know that we played a loose game, doing many things really well, then got tough and pulled out the W. And the dominant note in many, many posts is dissatisfaction with the blunders. Look. Everyone finds their own balance in responding to sport. Someone could ask me, "Have you appropriately balanced your appreciation ofby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
And I am not saying we are at that level. Hell, I am not even saying we have authentically established the very asset I am talking about. I am saying that we are beginning to show killer closing capabilities. BEGINNING TO SHOW them. And I am saying that that asset is a very valuable one to achieve. While I am frustrated as is everyone else by the loose play, I am excited that we are beginnby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
So, OK, having said all of that ... what does yesterday's game really tell us? I think it tells us a lot of good things. The defense is not going to get as many 3 & outs as we want, and they give up some yards in the air. I think in the game they showed us at, like #22 in passing yardage yielded. But our run defense has improved by several orders of magnitude. And we are tough in the red zby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
I thought that would get your attention. And, no, it's not because it's Whiners week. (Although ... crap ...) Remember how that Whiner team was never beaten? Remember how scared we were late in a game we were leading? Remember how often he stole games in the last minute? And that team is far from the only example. The great QBs on the great teams in NFL history knew how to take control of tby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
I think I expect a win. But I wouldn't bet on covering 7 points. TENN gonna be a tough bunch to whup.by RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
They will indeed be fired up. And in the long run I think Miller will raise our performance considerably. But, we have to remember that he strengthens us where our defense was already strong--our strongest area. How does he affect the other dimensions of defense? Against the run, he will help. People don't realize how strong a run defender he is. But against the pass, ironically, he canby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
This is by no means a dig at the Rams. They did what they had to do. But, unlike NY and DET, HOU had totally quit. Look at Kupp's TD. He runs a slant/post over the goal line. The CB stands back about 4 yards and never makes a move. In the freaking end zone! I mean, Cooper can score on anyone. But that one was a pre-game warm-up toss against a guy who wasn't interested. Henderson faced aby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
This will be a tough game. Anything less than focused, intense execution will compromise the game. Quite possibly lose it. 1st, we face a team whose identity is based on toughness and which has lost its core superstar, the foundation of its identity. Losing D H weakens them. There is no doubt about that. That means that NFL Nation expects a S B contender to take advantage. Certainly, we Raby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
They must have a plan for using it. They can't take it with them into next year. Yes, you need some emergency space for late year signings. But not this much. The obvious possibility is a trade or FA signing. But there might be another possibility. What if they use this year's space to extend someone? Maybe cover some bonus to lessen the hit later? Boom? Another OL? Maybe split overby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
He spent draft picks freely because he hated relying on rookies. I guess this shows our age, eh?by RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
But that's 'cause you've earned a lot of credibility with me over 20 years. Not many fans get that sort of cred with me. I mean, sure. In an extreme case, a win loses some luster if the opposition is wrecked with injuries. The conditions surely call for adjusted assessment afterwards. But then wounded teams do rise up and bite the unwary. I've seen a lot of Ram teams fall to a depleted oppoby RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
And we still have cap room ... Maybe we pick up a couple picks with him?by RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
I can see the value of the get. But why not 1 trade? Did something happen to DEN over the weekend to change their situation? I find it a bit odd that player for player trades are so rare in the NFL.by RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
I have the sense that Miller will be used in spots to maximize the pass rush in passing situations. Hollins and Lewis may be more versatile? Hope it works out better than the D Jax get did.by RFL - RamsFootballFans.com
We trade Young to DEN ... And then we trade for Miller from DEN. Why not 1 trade, player for player? I also don't really get why DEN wants a so-so ILB while trading a much better OLB. Not to mention why we weakened a weak position while improving a strong one, but that's another matter.by RFL - RamsFootballFans.com