You Gotta Believe: Bulger, Wilkins, and Bruce Refuse to Lose!
By Rams Nation's Don Ackerman
I am winded. I just finished jumping around the living room after watching
the Rams come from behind to win 28 to 24 over the supercharged San Diego Chargers.
Initially, I was going to call this column "Rams Fumble Away Game"
(the Rams fumbled and turned over the ball 4 times with 2 being run back for
touchdowns by the Charger D) but after watching the incredible gutsy comeback
by the Rams, I can only say that "I believe." I believed they'd win
by scoring two touchdowns in the fourth and watching it happen was a wondrous
feeling. Watch out NFC, the Rams you feared are back!!
Gameballs to Bulger, Wilkins, Bly, and Birthday Boy Bruce
This game showed how good the Rams TEAM can be. I gotta hand gameballs to the
following players:
- Marc Bulger, #10 - Despite talk that he'll be watching #13 take over
where he left off, Marc completed 36 of 48 passes for 453 yards with 4 touchdowns
and 0 interceptions. With fumble-itis contagious on the Rams, Bulger calmly
led the Rams to victory. Sorry, Jamie Martin, you had your chance. Bulger
has shown us he is a very special player and can you believe the Rams are
a great team without Kurt Warner? You gotta say Bulger is the co-MVP with
Marshall Faulk (#28) during this winning streak.
- Jeff Wilkins, #14 - A perfectly kicked on-sides kick and a game-saving
tackle on Ronney Jenkins (#28) after the Rams took the lead. Normally, the
kicker is juke-fodder but when it counted, Wilkins saved the game again. Shoe
or not, this guy is a great player!
- Dre' Bly, #32 - Dre' stole the game by taking the on-side kick away
from a San Diego Charger. I just about cried seeing that play. Thank you,
Dre'!
- Isaac "Birthday Boy" Bruce, #80 - After giving away two
birthday gifts (one fumble recovered and run for a touchdown by Donnie Edwards,
#59, and the other recovered by Leonardo Carson, #96), Bruce celebrated in
style picking up 3 touchdown presents from Marc Bulger including a spectacular
one-handed catch. What a birthday! Bruce caught 10 balls for 163 yards and
3 touchdowns. Happy Birthday, Isaac!!
Faulk Exits with Class
Marshall Faulk is such a great player. He is always at his best. After being
injured, you can still see the drive in this guy. With his ankle freshly injured,
Faulk hopped off the field on one foot. What drive!
Herring Lays Out for INT
Another great play in this game was when Kim Herring dove for and caught a
Drew Brees, #9, pass intended for Stephen Alexander, #81. Herring plucked the
ball out of the air. It was heading for the ground as Herring swooped over the
ball, pulled it up into his body, and held on for the interception on the Saint
Louis 38-yard line. San Diego was driving to extend their lead and the Rams
D held. I'm so very proud of Kim Herring and the Rams D for a great game!
Next Week: Bear Meat
Up next is a Monday night tilt in Saint Louis against Chicago (who are currently
2-6 and facing the New England Patriots). The Bears have seen a drop-off after
last year's unexpected 13-3 record). The 4-5 Rams seem to control their own
destiny and this game is another critical game for the Rams. After this week,
I gotta believe that the Rams will be ready for the Chi-town club.
Ram on,
Don