ABC Should Thank Rams Especially Rams Offensive Line
By Rams Nation's Don Ackerman
Tonight's "marque matchup" has the 2-7 Chicago Bears facing the 4-5
Saint Louis Rams. Not exactly "must see" TV for America at large.
If it weren't for the immergence of the Saint Louis Rams offensive line, this
game might as well be the Cleveland Browns versus the Cincinnati Bengals. Luckily
for ABC, the Rams offensive line has really stepped it up in the last 4 weeks
leading to 4 Rams wins giving America reason to watch.
ABC must have been salivating when they got their Monday Night Schedule. But
parity and irony set in. The irony is last year, these two clubs had the best
2 records in the NFL at 13-3 (Chicago) and 14-2 (Saint Louis). In 2001, the
Bears came out of nowhere to win their division. They had multiple miracle comebacks
and thrived in overtime and impossible-to-win situations. Last year, the Rams
were the Rams the NFL feared. With the best record in football, the Rams rampaged
in their 2001 campaign.
In 2002, parity is what the NFL got. Of course, this isn't good for Monday
Night Football when football is on America's stage. The Bears have done nothing
to build the excitement: they have lost 7 straight games and appear to back
to their 2000 ways when they were 5-11.
The Rams on the other hand are giving America a reason to watch. The offensive
line has come together to give the Rams the offense America has come to know
as the "Greatest Show on Earth/Turf." Hats off to the offensive line
for coming together after and 0-5 start. They could have given up but they did
not.
Also for your viewing pleasure is Kurt Warner Jr., aka Marc Bulger. Bulger
has the NFL's highest quarterback rating (for what it's worth! I have reservations
about that "honor") and is having an improbable year after Kurt Warner
and backup Jamie Martin went down to injuries. The NFL is talking about a quarterback
controversy in Saint Louis as Bulger has led the Rams to 4 straight victories
and rekindled the dream of the NFL playoffs.
So enjoy the game, America! You might see something special with the 2002 Saint
Louis Rams. ABC, if the Rams can win their 5th straight game, you're welcome.
Ram on,
Don