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That the St. Louis Rams have the worst NFL won-loss record in the decade of the '90s is a matter of public record.
Also public is the list of laughable excuses offered by the Rams just in the last few months.
In fact, the TWA Dome and Rams Park has served as the setting for some unbelievable howlers...
Paraphrasing now, the Rams' excuses have included the following:
***one of the biggest reasons we lost the game was because our QB headsets weren't working
***our featured running back sat out the last series because he was dehydrated (i.e. hung over)
***free agents won't come to St. Louis because the practices are too long
***maybe our QB isn't dedicated to becoming the kind of leader we need--he brings his dog to summer camp and later wants to miss practice because the dog was run over by a car
The 1998 season will be the Rams' fourth in St. Louis, and Dick Vermeil's second.
St. Louis football fans are well aware of the fact that, in only their second year of existence (1996), the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Carolina Panthers were only one game away from the Super Bowl.
But after seven wins in 1995, six in '96, and five in '97...Rams fans are wondering just what is in store for their favorite squad in '98.
With the NFL draft just around the corner, it's a good time to check on the Rams and their efforts in this year's free agent & trading marketplace.
Which leads to a question: what can be learned from the Rams' signings and acquisitions?
On offense, in addition to re-signing two of their own free agents (back-up QB Will Furrer and third-down back Amp Lee), the Rams inked possession receiver Ricky Proehl (Bears) and back-up offensive lineman John Flannery (Cowboys) and traded for back-up QB candidate Steve Bono (from the Packers).
On defense, the Rams slapped a franchise player label on DB Ryan McNeil (thus ensuring his return), and also made deals with starting inside LB Eric Hill (Cardinals) and reserve defensive tackle Ray Agnew (who began the '97 season as a Giants reserve).
And on special teams, the Rams continued their effort to replace punter Sean Landeta (just picked up by the Packers!) when they came to terms with Rick Tuten (Seahawks).
Finally, in the rumor category, the Rams are supposedly thisclose to coming to terms with free agent RB Greg Hill (Chiefs) and free agent pass rusher Clyde Simmons (Jaguars).
There seems to be one clear answer to the question...what can be learned from the Rams' '98 free-agent signings and trade acquisitions?
The answer to that question may seem obvious to some NFL observers...but maybe we've needed to learn it all over again here in St. Louis.
For whatever reason, quality football, and difference-making football players, are deliverable to St. Louis primarily through one route.
That route is the NFL draft.
For the record: the Rams picks in rounds 1-5 in the '97 draft?
Pace. McCleon. Tucker. Allen.
Rounds 1-5 in '96?
Phillips. Kennison. Banks. Conwell. Moore. Gaskins. Miller.
Rounds 1-5 in '95?
Carter. Wiegert. James. Pinkney. Scurlock.
There you have it...the Rams' top draft choices during their years in St. Louis.
The Rams' record in St. Louis?
18 wins and 30 losses.
Everything seems a little clearer now, doesn't it?
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