Marshall makes the difference

The Marshall plan was in effect on Sunday Nov. 3rd, 2002 at Sun Devil Stadium in Phoenix,Arizona. The new rivalry with the Cardinals of old St. Louis roots was a good starting point for a team coming off a bye week.

Marshall makes the difference
By Rams Nation's Oscar F Lopez

The Marshall plan was in effect on Sunday Nov. 3rd, 2002 at Sun Devil Stadium in Phoenix,Arizona. The new rivalry with the Cardinals of old St roots was a good starting point for a team coming off a bye week. Marshall Faulk not feeling himself do to flu like conditions, was still the key element that allowed the Rams to win 27-14 over the new rival Cardinals. The win was just an example as to how one superstar can control the game and allow his teammates to contribute in the process. Since the first win, Marshall Faulk has accumulated a total of 571 yards in 85 attempts and has 16 catches for 132yards. This my fellow football fans is a man on a mission. This my friends is the DIFFERENCE why the St. Louis Rams are winning.

The vast improvements by the coaching staff, returning injury players, and a new team effort every week has allowed the Rams to pull out victories. The Cardinals are really not a true test of how this team has improved yet. The San Diego Chargers on the other hand could turn out to be the test thus far. But the Rams did come out with a good game plan on Sunday. Offensively the Rams played exceptionally well. Marc Bulger utilized the likes of Troy Edwards, Ricky Proehl, Isaac Bruce, Ernie Conwell and Marshall Faulk. The improvements made by Troy Edwards in this game were key to maintaining drives. Edwards had 4 catches for 63 yards and helped set up the Torry Holt 7 yard touchdown with 1:04 remaining in the 2nd quarter by catching a pass from Marc Bulger across the middle for 48 yards.

The oustanding play of Marc Bulger who has a record of 3-0 as a starter, completed 20 of 29 for 245 yards and two touchdowns. The only mistakes of the day were two interceptions. One interception was in the 2nd quarter by Duane Starks that led to the Frank Sander 8 yard touchdown that made it 10-7. The other interception was in the 4th quarter by David Barrett that setup the Justin Lucas 35 yard touchdown to make 17-14. To coach Martz "You take that play out of there, and he was nothing short of oustanding". And that he was coach.

The game could have been different if not for penalties throughout the game on both sides of the ball. Without penalties this would have allowed the Rams to score more points. The Cardinals offense coming in had only scored two or less touchdowns in seven of eight games. Defensively the line was good, led by Kim Herring and Tommy Polley with an interception and fumble recovery. The defense kept the Cardinals in tack. The tandem of James Whitley, Leonard Little and Dre Bly provided the sack punch to keep Jake Plummer at ease. Plummer completed 19 of 30 for 193 yards and a touchdown. And the Cardinals offense as a whole had a season low 235 yards on the day.

The story of the game was Marshall Faulk once more. Marshall had 27 carries for 178 yards and one touchdown. He also had 5 catches for 58 yards. All this despite the fact that he was battling the flu. Marshall could only explain his desire to play by " Sometimes you're not 100 percent. Sometimes you're not 90. But you've got to go out there and give it your all." The Rams are 19-0 when the Marshall plan is in effect. He just brings out the best in his team. Marc Bulger stated after the game, "He was sucking it up out there, and he showed something out there today."The ending drive in the 4th quarter truly shows why he is considered one of the best. Marshall reversed his direction on a sweep right and cut through the middle for 13 yards for the games final score. Coach Martz explained" Marshall just continues his trek to greatness, and he wasn't quite 100 percent."

The summary of the game can only be done by a man that lost the game and somehow was also amazed at this superstar. Arizona coach Dave McGinnis said. "We did not handle Marshall Faulk." And concluded by stating. "Marshall Faulk was the difference in this football game."