Tradition Ruined

Tradition Ruined
By Rams Nation's Oscar F Lopez

After an 0-4 start in the 2002 season, the St. Louis Rams on Oct 6,2002 clearly joined the ranks of the Cincinnati Bengals. An exclusive club that know one wants to be part of. The display on Sunday at Candlestick Point was just horrible to watch, as a fan and football fan in general. It seemed like a bad movie. All we needed was Ken Norton's punching act of the early 90's. The Rams played flat and uninterested. Their biggest rival for decades (49ers) was just given a sure win from the start. As a Rams fan this was one of the worst games ever played by any Rams team.

The 37-13 loss to the arch rival 49ers was just a display of bad coaching, execution, tackling, and overall team pride. The 17 straight losses to the 49ers from 1990-1998 just didn't matter to the Rams team that took the field on Sunday. And by the way, it could not have happened to a better coach. One that seems to not adapt to his injuries accordingly. "It's a step Backward" and " This is a real challenge for this group."Those were the quotes from Mike Martz on Sunday after his team got their behinds beaten for four quarters.
The only touchdown of the game was from Lamar Gordon with 29 seconds left in the game. Way to go people. Let's give the fans what they want, a competitive game. Both defense and offense and as well special teams were just HORRIBLE. What on god's green turf was happening. At least Coach Mariucci got his team pumped for the bashing of the Rams. I would have to applaud the 49ers coaching staff for their contribution to the game. Thank you Jeff Garcia and Garrison Hearst for your oustanding effort on upholding the traditional rivalry in classy fashion.

From the end result, maybe Mike Martz and his staff could learn a thing or two from the arch rivals. I am pretty sure he didn't ask his players if who had beaten the 49ers before. Jamie Martin I know is no Kurt Warner, but his performance on Sunday was a bad combination of overall offensive mishaps and turnovers. This team is just plain DEAD. And I know injuries are crucial, but not everyone is injured. Some key players are, but the rest of the team MUST step it up and perform.The emotion,intensity and drive is now officially lost. Did I mention that the Vermeil Era was over. One big question remains after dropping to 0-5. What on god's green turf is Mike Martz and staff going to do when the Raiders come to town. These Raiders are ruthless and they remind me of a team of three years ago who went to the Super Bowl in 1999.

Let me leave everyone with one last thought going up against the Oakland Raiders, from Grant Wistrom. " I don't know what it is", he said. "It's difficult to explain." Come Sunday against the Raiders, if this team drops to 0-6, the whole state of Missouri will want an explanation from coach Martz, on how he is going to restore this team to credibility.For Rams fans, their expectation is that who ever takes the field on Sunday, better be playing their hearts out for the home crowd period.

This game is for team PRIDE.