Allow me to begin my remarks by quoting those two great American Philosophers and Icons, Willie Nelson and Dandy Don Meredith:

"Turn out the lights, the party's over. They say that all good things must end"

Why? Because the Rams "gotta go to work"!

That's right, boys and girls, the St. Louis entry in that rich and arrogant cartel better known as the National Football League is back in Macomb, Illinois. Training camp for the 2000 season is officially open. No more time for dinners or awards. No more time to display their new uniforms (that are available at all of your favorite retail outlets). No more times to pick up gaudy rings or schedule and reschedule a visit to the White House.

It has been a feel good off-season for our local Blue and Gold heroes. They have been the toast of the Gateway City. Since their Super Bowl victory at the end of January, members of the team and/or organization have written books, made personal appearances, given talks and can be heard their own shows via different radio stations throughout the region.

Heck, even owner Georgia Frontierre got into the act. On opening day at Busch Stadium, she correctly identified and picked up a baseball, successfully walked all by herself to the mound and threw the first pitch of the season. She then smiled and bowed to her subjects.

Gee, it's good to be the King (or Queen). But sorry folks, the party's over.

As the team prepares in Macomb, they have a new but familiar leader. Last year's Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz is this year's new Head Coach. He is different than last year's Head Honcho Dick Vermeil. Time will tell if different means better. Throw the resume out the window, because Martz is 0-0 as an NFL Head Coach.

The duties, outlook and personality of the Head Coach are much different than an Offensive Coordinator. The Coordinator is an X's and O's guy. The Head Coach is a politician who needs to keep his players on an even keel while keeping the local media regurgitating a positive spin on the team.

Time will tell whether Martz will be the next George Seifert or the next Buddy Ryan. His first major personnel decision was a no-brainer. Martz declared for all to hear that Kurt Warner is the team's #1 quarterback.

Coach M would have been run out of town had he even considered replacing #13 with a high priced free agent quarterback that has not picked up a football in a competitive situation in almost a year.

Warner accepted the challenge by working in the off-season and reporting on time despite the pleas of his agent for more money. Warner and Kevin Carter are grossly underpaid. Still both proved why they are indeed All Pros by doing the honorable and right thing: arriving at camp on time and in shape. The Rams set the dangerous precedent last season by trading for Marshall Faulk You may recall that #28 was already under contract but refused to report until he renegotiated a bigger and better contract. Warner and Carter could have pointed right at Faulk, but did the correct thing instead.

(Memo to the Rams Management: You already have additional revenue with increased ticket prices and spiffy new uniforms. Sign these two guys, immediately please.)

Last season, was truly a magical ride for the team. The Rams had two major factors in their favor: they enjoyed a very easy schedule and they remained relatively injury-free throughout the season. The 2000 schedule will be much tougher for the team. That is the way it should be. When you are the defending Super Bowl Champs you should play the toughest schedule. Those who play the Super Bowl Champs have pinpointed that game as THE most important. The Rams must be cognizant of this and prepare for battle.

Martz and his staff must also anticipate injuries to their roster. 1999 was a fluke that there was no major member of the team on I. R. Generally, lighting does not strike twice.

It will be fun to watch just how the Rams Management handles their new success. Many in the Gateway City feel that the Rams have "raised the bar" with their performance. I contend that looking at all those empty seats in November/December, 1998 as well as the season ticket cancellations of January 1999 provided more than enough stimulus to improve the product. The Rams Management did in that off-season. The rest was history.

Still, there is an old saying that "even a blind squirrel can find a nut once in a while". The 2000 season should provide a barometer if this ownership is committed on keeping the party in high gear while continuing to improve the product or searching for the next nut.

So before I make my 2000 Rams' prediction, allow me one quick memo to my colleagues in the local press. Friends, repeat after me "the Super Bowl is over. The Rams are currently 0-0". All together now: "1999 is history and it means absolutely nothing now".

These happy-faced, fluffed-filled reports that are flooding the radio and T V airwaves about the Rams are not only monotonous but are bordering unprofessional. We all know that team won the big game in January, so there is no need to open every sportscast with the moniker "the Super Bowl Champion Rams". Last winter, my wife thought the local coverage of the Home Team resembled an infomercial. This summer, she told me that she was not sure if the Rams won the Super Bowl or the Nobel Peace Prize.

One more time, friends: the Super Bowl is over. The Rams are currently 0-0". "1999 is history and it means absolutely nothing now". Now, admit it, a reality is a good thing.

Hence, boys and girls, my prediction for the Rams in 2000 is a record of 11-5, an NFC Western Division Championship, but elimination in the first round of the NFC playoffs. Call me a skeptic, but I still need to be shown if these guys can do it again.

For those who disagree, fear not. Frequent visitors to this space saw me predict a 6-10 record in 1998 and 1999. In those seasons, the Rams finished 4-10 and 13-3, respectively.

Are you ready for some football? The first pre-season game at the Dome is in two weeks and the Dennis Miller/Rams Monday Night Football Debut is in six weeks on Labor Day.

We will find out then if the Rams or Tom Bodette will keep the lights on for us.