Martz Lays It Out For His Team
By Rams Nation's Don Ackerman
The biggest discussion amongst Monday morning quarterbacks about the Saint
Louis Rams game is the Rams' head coaches decision to go for it on 4th and 1
late in the third quarter rather than attempt a field goal to tie the game.
Since the Rams lost the game, it's easy to conclude that Mike made a mistake.
I've read scores of comments on the subject and I must disagree.
What Mike Martz did on 4th and 1 is give his team his undying vote of confidence.
What he did was give the team a chance to light a fire under their rears and
put some spunk into an unspirited game. Watch the replay. Watch it again! Players
are open. The opportunity is there! Putting the ball in Kurt Warner's hand on
4th and 1 says to his offense, "I believe in you." At the same time,
he told his defense, "I believe you can stop them even if we can't score
here."
All Mike can do is call the plays that give the Rams a chance to succeed. He
can diagram the best plays in the NFL but if the Rams are flat (and they sure
looked dazed Sunday at Mile High), the Rams probably won't win. On Sunday, he
took a big chance and this week, he'll shoulder the burden for it.
Many of today's players talk about respect. They want the ball and the respect
that comes with getting it. They don't want to be dis'ed and they want coaches
and teammates to believe in them. Mike Martz lays it on the line for his team.
He takes the blame when it doesn't work out. Though he'll receive no MVP trophies,
he's the reason the trophies are available to Rams players. After watching Sunday's
game against the Denver Broncos, all I ask is that the Rams lay it out for him,
too.
Ram on,
Don
Don Ackerman, Rams Nation writer, can be reached at The.Ackermans@juno.com.
On Sundays, you'll find me sitting down enjoying my Sunday Ticket and rooting
the Rams to victory. If you have an opinion for me, I'd love to hear it.