Whose Team Is This, Anyway?

If you read last week’s edition of The HardKnockers you might call this part two because it may just be the hope-inspiring straw that broke the camel's overloaded back. It eventually gets optimistic but I apologize in advance for my lack of an optimistic and uplifting tone. The Rams are losing and looking as unpolished as they did week 1, but if you’re a fan I’m preaching to the choir. I don’t want to bring you all the way down, however, Jared Goff showed some promise and if he survives the current era and gets upper-level leadership and teaching without any permanent damage he could potentially bring more to the table than any of the quarterbacks we've had since Kurt Warner. That first touchdown pass to Tavon Austin was a thing of beauty and should be the norm in the Rams’ future if the gods of football decide to align the stars over Los Angeles in time for the new stadium opening so that history doesn't repeat itself. 

Perhaps the current management is somewhat unfamiliar with what loyal longtime Rams fans have endured. In short, before we were abandoned in the dead of night like a panicking young mother leaving a baby at a church, we were pushed away from attending and supporting our team. I recall, like it was yesterday, the two separate and brief times I actually knew the feeling of hatred for my team (but it wasn't my team, it was the owner who ‘had no money’ while owning properties overseas); the last being that move to St. Louis, the first being the letting go of arguably the greatest running back that has ever walked the earth...and I use the word ‘arguably’ for any outsiders that may stumble upon this article. Most old school Rams fans know without doubts of any kind that Eric Dickerson was thee best, thee most naturally-gifted running back/athlete ever born. For the Bears, Bills, Lions and Cleveland fans I didn’t say the biggest, toughest, strongest or most elusive, I said thee most naturally-gifted.

Which brings me to my current mood, inspiration for this article and following question:

HOW THE HELL could a NFL franchise ban, bad-mouth, condemn or frankly, do anything but jump their collective asses up while asking “how high” to one of its all-time great legends when they ask something not unreasonable of that franchise that could only promote them and/or portray them in a positive light amidst the darkening clouds that dimmed the excitement of the return to L.A. and now threaten to rain on the parade of a growing fan base with the help of the success of the Oakland Raiders who have a huge number of fans here as well? Can anyone else see the Raiders suddenly becoming inspired to play in OUR new stadium knowing they’d make it their house instantly? Can anyone in Cleveland imagine their reaction to the Browns franchise suddenly banning Jim Brown?

Okay, for those that haven’t heard (all four of you) and according to ESPN’s Mike Silver (who’s known Fisher for over 25 years and will openly refer to Fisher as ‘my source’ when statements aren't off the record) after he spoke directly to Fisher Tuesday, said that a couple of weeks ago Dickerson wanted sidelines passes. Fisher called him to tell him that it is preferred that they (the Rams organization) put him up in a luxury box and not on the field because Eric’s been critical of Fisher’s staff so it’s not a great situation to have during game time. Silver also mentioned that Fisher offered Dickerson the chance to attend the Rams practices to see how they do things which is all fine and dandy but...

I would venture to say because Eric Dickerson has been on better teams and under better coaching staffs that sported better O-lines, and because he is indeed outspoken this makes him a valuable addition to the growth of one of the youngest teams in the NFL. Hell, everybody’s critical of the coaching staff now. Should we look forward to not being let in the gate when attending games because of it?

It’s enough to make one wonder who’s really running things in the front office because for a head coach to even think with such arrogance it suggests that either he has more clout than we imagined or this was the decision from an earlier discussion that had to include CEO Kevin Demoff or GM Les Snead or both. Imagine Byron Scott still with the Lakers and telling Kareem he can no longer come to the Lakers practices. WTF, right? Perhaps, Fisher should’ve at least had the decency enough to meet with Dickerson face-to-face to have this conversation where he can respectfully ask or discuss his concerns with what’s being said by about his staff. Who knows, the staff might even learn a thing or two.

The Fallout

By Tuesday evening the Rams were hogging the majority of attention of the football world for all the wrong reasons. When you’re losing, the team nor the fans want this kind of attention. Even ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was up in arms and adding fuel to the fire and by day’s end I found myself watching over twenty total minutes of multiple YouTube videos of his tirade on First Take when I can normally only stomach five or less when he gets on his roll. 

Oh, but the man also said what most of us now know to be true, except he said it publicly and loudly AND IT'S TRENDING FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE; The Rams powers that be now have the perfect opportunity to trade up at head coach. Fisher is now public enemy #1 in Los Angeles (until that new president visits) and that’s just bad business, Mr. Kroenke. As pissed as some of us were when we heard how E.D. was treated, we also smiled inside because it’s the curtains opening for the final Fisher act. If Jeff Fisher isn’t running things in the front office there is simply only one [correct] way this ends. The saying goes, ‘money talks, bullshit walks.’ 7-and-9 bullshit walks a bit slower when your agent is the dad of the Rams' CEO but still...  

For the record, I personally don't have any ill feelings towards coach Fisher outside of the team's won-lost record. I'm not, nor will I ever have desires of being some paid sports reporter looking to make a name for myself. No, what I am is a caring lifelong die-hard Rams fan that's doesn't like my team associated with words and phrases like 'incompetent' and 'grease fire," and I certainly won't appreciate the mistreatment of my team's greatest players. Hall of Fame players! Next year's free agents hear of this kinda crap and won't feel good about signing here. And now, many fans are threatening or intend to either boycott games until Fisher is fired or wear Dickerson jerseys or Team Dickerson gear to the remaining home games. 

The Los Angeles Rams are the latest soap opera to hit Tinseltown, USA now that last year’s L.A. Lakers are so ‘last year.’ We are well on our way to becoming Cleveland-west, and it sucks. It’s time for the brain trust to follow the Lakers’ lead and make swift changes in regards to how their young talent is brought along. After all, attempting to upgrade from career mediocre is not a bad thing.

              The HardKnockers vs the New England Patriots

(Game is in New England at 10:00AM Pacific time on FOX)

I’ll start by repeating my emphatic words of last week, “WE CAN BEAT’EM SUNDAY!” just for fun because the chances are good that I may not be motivated to say them again this season.

With the obvious exception of Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn, the Rams defense showed up last week to collect a check and not much more. I can forgive this because football is taxing and they played their hearts out the week before to the familiar tune of no offensive support. You and I know they are better than what we witnessed. Ogletree and company looked like they suddenly forgot how to tackle and the entire secondary appeared to say, “to hell with this” in the second half. I would say similar about the coaches’ ability to call the game on the level of the Saints’ Sean Payton and staff (specifically, the in-game and second-half adjustments or lack of) but they looked like they always look. At this point, I’m starting to doubt if they get revenge on the 49ers. I was so sure week 1 was a fluke until this week after S.F. almost handed the Cardinals a loss. Is it me or do you watch other NFL games and get the sense that no less than 75% of the league has more competent offensive play-calling?  

Sorry that I can’t candy-coat [manure] and pass it off to you as a Milky Way bar, the Rams will be beaten thoroughly week 13. The contrast in coaching staffs alone is worth 10 points. But when I say ‘thoroughly’ it doesn’t mean they’ll get blown out like last week, the defense will play much better. It just won’t matter in the end.

The Rams have trouble with covering backs out of the backfield with the linebackers available and Belichick knows this. The secondary doesn’t put ample pressure on the receivers early enough in routes to compliment their pass rush. Belichick AND Tom Brady know this, and Brady gets rid of the ball faster than anyone anyway. That in itself neutralizes our strength and what carries our team, the pass rush.

So what do they do? Hell, you’re a Rams fan and already know what Jeff Fisher and Rob Boras will do and what they won’t. The whole league knows. The Rams’ only chance will probably end up being that we get into a shootout and make it a high-scoring affair.

That being said, here’s this week’s bottom line:

The Rams win if...

1. Aaron Donald or Robert Quinn somehow get to Brady and knock him out of the game, but I’m not wishing him ill will.

2. Jared Goff has a whole game like his first half last week while the Rams get a few stops.

3. If it rains and New England staff members can’t deflate the ball on the DL.

4. If Belichick develops Alzheimer’s between now and game time.  

...but I sure hope reverse-psychology is in effect! 

That’s a wrap!

Go to my NFL Pros@Prose Picks submission Thursdays or Fridays to see my prediction for this game and the rest of the league.

Later, Ramily. Horns up!