Are We Feeling a Sense of Urgency Now?
By Rams Nation's Don Ackerman
09/30/2002
Boy, was I disappointed! I might have to watch the Dallas/Saint Louis game
again because I did not see the fire I wanted to see Sunday. Let me rephrase
that, "I did not see the fire from Saint Louis that I wanted to see Sunday."
The Cowboys showed some fire and they wanted this game. But honestly, they looked
beat as Wilkins attempted a 49-yarder with about 90 seconds left in the game.
When that kick missed, the Rams left the door wide open, and in came the party-poopin'
Cowboys.
Throughout the game, I did not see the sense of urgency. Before this game started,
I wasn't sure what I'd see. One possibility was that the sleeping giants awaken
as the Rams smack 40-some points on the board. They could have showed the NFL
that 3 losses didn't kill this contender. Another possibility was that Dallas
became unbelievably fired up and after last week's butt-kicking by the Eagles,
were angry and looking to fight whomever was next. Maybe they smack around the
Rams on D, force some turnovers, and light up the scoreboard themselves. Another
possibility was I could see a lackluster performance by the Rams and they'd
lose by a field goal. I did not get the prize behind door #1, did I?
I will say one more thing about loss number four: letdown. It was a letdown
for the team and it was a letdown for Saint Louis fans. Each game after the
first loss, I've been looking for that spunk, that attitude. I'm looking for
the Rams to say and show us on the field that "Yeah, the Super Bowl sucked.
Now every team in the NFL will pay for that empty, hollow losing feeling!"
Instead, I see players who are not gung-ho. I grew up in the military and I
wanna see that "hoo-ya." (If you've been around the military, you
know what I mean!) When will that return?
So, now San Francisco is on the schedule. The hated Forty-Whiners host the
hapless Lambs at 3com stadium. The Whiners have to be excited. They will love
to knock Saint Louis down a notch. The Rams have better be ready. I have to
ask the Rams, "Are we feeling a sense of urgency now?"
Ram on,
Don
PS: When Kurt Warner goes down Sunday, I expected him to be hurt. At a local
mall shop, I paid with my Saint Louis Rams credit card and the clerk asked me,
"Are you a Rams fan?" (I won't write what I was thinking but you
can send me your guesses and I'll post the best guesses in a column next
week). I responded with a yes wondering what snide, non-humorous comment would
follow. He informed Kurt Warner was out and wondered what I thought. I honestly
responded that he hasn't been playing well and I'm sure he'll be okay. I didn't
want to discuss sports with this clerk as I'm checking out and honestly, I'm
okay with shaking things up a little. Hopefully, the team will rally and win
one for Kurt!
PPS: We all knew Dallas would win the game as the Wilkins' kick doinked off
the goalpost. Did you hurt you as much as it hurt me to watch Dallas drive down
the field knowing how it would end? How sick of a feeling was that?