Are You Ready for Some Football - Week 11

[Imran Siddiqui]

Yeah, he made a lot of changes... which is why it amazingly resembled the 1999 teams gameplan (with slightly more passing - 551 attempts rather than 530 attempts - and 416 rushes compared to 431 rushes) .

Why not, isn't that team even more Vermeil's team?

That team was based on Vermeil's reign as well, and they did win the division, but suffered from Warner's injuries in the playoffs. The D was a bit of a problem for some reason that year as well (while in 1999 and 2001, the D was very good).

And by the way, the 2001 team was not the same team. There were a lot of personel changes

Let's see... QB: Warner, check. RB: Faulk, check, WR: Holt , Bruce, and Hakim, check, check and check. What are these 'lot of personel changes'. They obviously didn't affec tthe heart of the time.

I'll even accept that the 2002 Rams which went 7-9 was more Vermeil's team. Last year, I'd say it was Martz's team, since his decision was Bulger at QB and Holt as the focal point of the offense.

[Kidlicious]

There were a lot of changes especially on defense, which is why there was problems. And btw, we lost Hakim before 2001. I'm pretty sure is was in 2000.

The 1999 was on of the greatest teams of all-time. The 2000 and later teams had only a fraction of the total talent. You seem to think that if Vermeil stayed with the Rams it would be 1999 forever. It doesn't work like that in the NFL anymore. About the closest thing to that is the Pats and then the Rams. But there will never be another Niners of the 80s, or a Steelers of the 70s. I don't care who the coach is. I would say that Belichick is the best coach right now, and I doubt if the Pats will be able to continue dominance.

[Imran Siddiqui]

And btw, we lost Hakim before 2001. I'm pretty sure is was in 2000.

Jeez, you don't even know you own damned team!

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/HakiAz00.htm

Hakim played 10 games for the Rams in 2001 before he left for the Lions.

The 2000 and latter teams had only a fraction of the total talent.

Which key players did the 2000 and 2001 team not have that the 1999 team had? What Todd Lyght and Kevin Carter? Like that is a big difference maker. Aeneas Williams replaced Lyght and Carter was replaced.

You seem to think that if Vermeil stayed with the Rams it would be 1999 forever.

Um no. I'm syaing Vermeil built the foundation and the walls of that team. Martz just kept it standing for the 2001 Superbowl and I'd call that more of Vermeil's team than Martz's. Yeah, you have to be a decent coach to not have it fall apart, but not as good as when you get handed crap to start out with. Coaches WISH to get put in that situation that Martz was in. Then they could pile up the impressive coaching stats which they never could in Cinncinati (Hello Sam Wyche) or Detroit (Bobby Ross says hi). Martz got placed in a lucky situation where things were already built for him. He was smart enough as a coach to build on it, but that doesn't mean he was mainly responsible for 2001 or that he is a good HEAD coach.

[Kidlicious]

They lost a great deal of players Imran. Stars don't win Superbowls, teams do. If stars were all that mattered the Rams would still be just as good. The Rams have something like 5 or 6 players from the 1999 team now. The have steadily lost players since 1999. 2001 was not the same team as 1999. Not even close.

[Ben Kenobi]

I disagree.

How many times do we see a team go from worst to first, and then worst again?

With the slanted schedules, it is much more difficult for a good team to stay on top, then it is for a mediocre team to rise from the bottom to the top.

The fact that Martz, even given the toughest schedule, still made the Bowl, speaks as a testimony to his coaching.

[Imran Siddiqui]

They lost a great deal of players Imran. Stars don't win Superbowls, teams do.

So which important team players did they lose? What was so different about the teams? The answer is not so much.

The fact that Martz, even given the toughest schedule, still made the Bowl, speaks as a testimony to his coaching.

Not really. There have been a number of average coaches who have made a Superbowl who we don't call great coaches. Barry Switzer for one. Jim Fassel is another (ask any Giants fan and they'll tell you how they despise Fassel). Bill Callahan (who was run out a year later) is another. What about Dom Capers?

Barry Switzer and Bill Callahan 'kept a good team on top', to boot.

Just because they make it to the big game doesn't make them a great coach.

[Ned]

When are we going to get a break?

"LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Just when their defense was playing at a high level and sparking a three-game winning streak, the Chicago Bears lost star linebacker Brian Urlacher.
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Urlacher will be out four to six weeks after suffering an injury to his lower left leg that required a surgical procedure Monday to relieve the pressure of internal bleeding.

The four-time Pro Bowler was injured during Sunday's 19-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans, but the severity did not surface until later."

[-Jrabbit]

I would suggest that a 3-game win streak with a rookie QB with a 30% completion rate -- including 2 against teams with their own starting QB down -- WAS our break.

The appearance of Indianapolis on the schedule is a pretty clear signal that break time is over for The Beloved.

[Stuie]

Originally posted by Darsnan
Holy Cow! Over 14 seconds between the snap and McNabb launching a 60 yard completion! Damm good scrambling job by McNabb!

That was a joy to watch.

Eagles only need to go 5-2 for a first round bye....

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Ned
When are we going to get a break?

"LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Just when their defense was playing at a high level and sparking a three-game winning streak, the Chicago Bears lost star linebacker Brian Urlacher.
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Urlacher will be out four to six weeks after suffering an injury to his lower left leg that required a surgical procedure Monday to relieve the pressure of internal bleeding.

The four-time Pro Bowler was injured during Sunday's 19-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans, but the severity did not surface until later."

When I'm I going to get a break? That's the third guy that I drafted out with injuries.

[-Jrabbit]

Actually, it's the 2nd time Urlacher's gone down...

[Kidlicious]

Anyone think Elli Manning will do any better than Kurt Warner?

I think there is something wrong with Warner now. What the hell happened to that quick release you had in his glory days?

Elli is better but the Giants have a tough schedule ahead of them, and teams are going to keep exploiting their weaknesses.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Eagles only need to go 5-2 for a first round bye....

Only? They also need to go 6-1 for the #1 seed.

[-Jrabbit]

Originally posted by Kidicious
Anyone think Elli Manning will do any better than Kurt Warner?

Not with that O-line. They will probably do a lot of quick-release stuff so Eli won't be a sitting duck in the pocket, and Tiki will be asked to carry the load.

I thought Warner was gonna take them to the playoffs. But he lost it. Now, I think the Giants are toast.

[Kidlicious]

I think Warner has a problem following instructions from coaches. He doesn't get rid of the ball quick when he's told to.

I think that might have been what happened with the Rams. Look at the Rams game last week after O. Pace was booted. Bulger used 3 step drops and didn't get sacked once. That's all you have to do. That's why I think Warner gets the boot.