The Fuss According to Huss:
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The Fuss According to Huss:
I had the article all ready written.
The Rams trailed 16-10 with the ball on the Carolina Panther three yard line.
Time on the clock 1 minute 59 seconds, fourth quarter. Three time outs remaining.
What a great story it would be: "after a week of turbulence with the release of troubled running back Lawrence Phillips, the St. Louis Rams displayed character in winning a game which they should not have.
Scoring a touchdown in the waning seconds, the Rams not only ended a seven game losing streak, but won an emotional and symbolic victory for their coach, Dick Vermeil".
The article was all set to go.
But we all know what happened next. On first down, and incomplete pass stopping the clock. Second down--a running play to the two yard line. Third down, another running play, down to the one yard line. Time out called.
Fourth and goal from the one. A field goal won't work. It must be a touchdown. Backup QB Mark Rypien rolls out; looks in the end zone; pass to Aaron Lange; knocked away, incomplete. Carolina takes over on downs.
Ball Game.
Carolina 16 Rams 10.
St. Louis now 2-10, losers of 8 in a row.
So it's now time to rewrite this story.
We have now witnessed the Rams losing another game which they should have won. Once again, silly penalties, shoddy play calling, missed field goals, dropped passes and failed execution doomed the home team.
What is particularly frustrating about this game is that the Rams could have defeated the overrated, underachieving Panthers. But once again, it was those plays not made and those mistakes which were made, that proved to be the telling tale.
After the game, it was down to the locker room to get the latest local spin on the outcome. In his press debriefing, Coach V was his resilient self; acknowledging and accepting blame, but not providing answers about these chronic problems.
Vermeil's control over the St. Louis media was starting to wear out as finally some tough questions were sent his way.
Question: "What is wrong with Eddie Kennison??" Coach V: "Perhaps you should ask him yourself".
At the end of the debriefing, the Head Coach's voice grew louder and more direct. Perhaps the old fire is there after all. But, just about the time when the fireworks were ready to start, the P R staff thanked everyone for attending; quickly ending the session.
So let's head to the locker room and talk to the players.
Kennison, incidentally was nowhere to be found. I did find DE Leslie O'Neal, who scored the only St. Louis touchdown by rambling over 67 yards with a fumble.
O'Neal was more than happy to describe his touchdown. It was truly a SportsCenter moment. O'Neal recanted how he picked up the ball in his "soft hands" and raced toward the end zone: watching his face on the Jumbotron as he lumbered down the field. #91 grinned from ear to ear as he recounted the story.
Perhaps I was confused, but didn't his team LOSE the game by six points??
Then I searched out back-up quarterback Rypien. He sat on his stool, acknowledged the loss, lamented the results and admitted being baffled by the situation.
Once again looking for Kennison--no such luck.
At that point, I decided it was time to leave. There was nothing left to be said.
The Rams are still winless for autumn. Prospects do not look much better with next week's trip to Washington against a Redskin team who are in a dog fight of a playoff hunt in the N F C East.
St. Louis will return to the Dome on Sunday night December 15 for a game against Chicago which may decide who will get the #1 draft choice in Paul Tagliabue's annual college lottery.
Although 1997 has been a frustrating season for Gateway City Football fans, it has also proved to be a disappointing season.
Disappointing when a new coach comes in to win the hearts of the town, only to be criticized as "out of touch" by fans, media and players.
Failing to display the fire and brimstone during his successful days in Philadelphia, Coach V has opted for a kinder, gentler, and politically correct 1990's approach with the Rams.
Disappointing, when proven players, some who played in past Pro Bowls, continue to self destruct, drop passes, fail to report on the field at the proper time, and fail to execute.
Disappointing, while losing against Divisional Rivals at home, players still yuk it up after the game with the likes of Dennis Rodman, or wish to rewrite their own press releases for a future contract negotiation.
Disappointing, because the fans still, despite it all, continue to come to the games.
Freud would have a field day with this bunch.
The Rams front office need to take a hard look at their coaching staff, particularly on the offensive side of the ball and on special teams.
Have these "geniuses" lost their touch??
Secondly, they need to look at their players to find out who is salvageable. There are too many players who are simply taking salary cap room who need to be purged. Their photo appears in the dictionary under the term "underachiever".
Finally, Coach V. has to look at himself. Can he relate to the player of the 90's?? Is this milder approach making him foolish toward his players?? Maybe has spent too much time with Brent Musburger.
At the beginning of this season, I predicted the Rams to finish with the same record as they accomplished in 1996; which was 6--10.
Perhaps that another story I need to rewrite.
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