Fighting Spirit Returns!

Fighting Spirit Returns!
by Rams Nation's Oscar F Lopez

After a long and dismal beginning in the Gateway City in 2002, the St. Louis Rams decided to change their gameplan against the high powered Raiders who came in undefeated at 4-0. With injuries and poor play for the first five contests, the Rams adapted and relied upon their best player and a third string quarterback to get their first win of the season. Who would have thought a week ago that Marc Bulger would perform as well as he did on Sunday Oct. 13, 2002 in front of a sold out crowd at the Edward Jones Dome. With his play the Rams are now 1-5.

The Jerry Rice 53 yard catch on the first play of the game was the wake up call the defensive unit needed for this team to show what they were capable of handling. The opening goal line stop on Zack Crockett by Tommy Polley for no gain, just set the tone for the rest of the team to follow. Upon entering the game Marc Bulger seemed very comfortable. The smooth passes to Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt to begin the 97 yard drive that ended on a seven yard touchdown to Isaac Bruce was just great to watch.

The combination of reading his receivers and staying calm in the pocket really contributed to Marc Bulger's ability to find his receivers all day long. Marc put up Rich Gannon numbers all day and ended up finishing 14 of 21 for 186 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions. The bright spots were on the offensive line. The retooling really benefitted Marc all day with good pass protection giving him time to throw. Minus Grant Williams, who was carded after breaking his right leg, the line really played oustanding only giving up 3 sacks.

The best play of the game has to go to the best player and that's Marshall Faulk. In the fourth quarter on a tossed pass from Marc, Marshall slid by two tacklers and ran into the endzone for a 21-6 lead. This was the Marshall of old. He was just awesome to watch.

With the offensive line in tack and scoring well. The defensive unit led by Grant Wistrom,Adam Archuleta, Travis Fisher , and Damione Lewis just plain took it the Raiders. They limited the passing lanes for Rich Gannon, and put solid pressure to prevent Gannon from having the time to find his receivers. Gannon seemed like the third string , his interceptions and lack of mobility caused him valuable time to throw. Although he threw for 322 yards, Gannon also threw two key interceptions under pressure to stop key drives to get back in the game.

The running the football and limiting the passing game really threw the Raiders off guard. This enabled Marshall Faulk to wear down the Raiders defenive line ,who is not top notch. The story of the game was that the Rams came out fighting and defended their team spirit and pride at home in front of a sell out crowd. Something they could not do last week against the arch rival 49ers.

What a huge win for the defending NFC Champions at home. By defeating the Raiders 28-13, the Rams proved that anything is possible on sunday. The fact that a third string quarterback can come out and win his first game versus a solid team like the Oakland Raiders, just proves that this team has hope yet. The Raiders who were 4-0 and now face reality after riding high for the last month, must now figure out how an 0-5 Rams team routed them on sunday. Marc Bulger said it best after a great victory,"If you know you can play, you don't have to worry about it, you'll get your chance". And Kurt Warner was just thrilled with Marc's performance by adding "He played the way he had to play to win this football game."
After weeks of calling out the coach for his gameplanning. i must admit that Mike Martz and his coaching staff deserve credit for a well thought out gameplan on sunday. The running of the football to set up the pass was the key to today's victory. I hope that going forward , he will acknowledge the fact that he must adapt week to week in order to even have a chance at victory.

So in the words of Coach Callahan,"I think they were intelligent with their approach. We were very diligent about how we prepared for this team. My hat's off to them." And hat's off to Marc Bulger and the whole Rams team who truly showed team pride and spirit. Let's hope next week is a repeat preformance.