On September 24, 1995, the St. Louis Rams defeated their regional rivals, the Chicago Bears by a score of 34-28. A standing room only Busch Stadium crowd of over 59,000 saw the Rams trial by four points at half time before coming from behind in the second half. Quarterback Chris Miller threw for three touchdowns to lead the team to victory.

With that win, the Rams earned a 4-0 record. Rich Brooks became 4-0 as an NFL Coach and the Rams had a perfect win/loss record in their St. Louis tenure.

On September 24, 2000, the St. Louis Rams defeated their Divisional rivals, the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 41-20. A far from standing room only Georgia Dome crowd of 58,761 (which includes over 10,000 empty seats) saw the Rams lead by four points at half time before scoring twenty-four second half points. Quarterback Kurt Warner threw for three touchdowns to lead the team to victory

With that win, the Rams earned a 4-0 record. Mike Martz is 4-0 as an NFL Coach and the Rams have a perfect win/loss record in the year 2000.

Sounds familiar doesn't it? Still, in this election year, I would suspect that the Gateway City sports fans would vote for the 2000 model of the Rams as their team of choice.

On this fourth week of the 2000 season of that rich and arrogant cartel better known as the National Football League, our Navy and Gold heroes were quite impressive. With the victory, the Rams have now scored at least thirty points in ten straight games. The legend of Kurt Warner continues to grow. He is Mark Mc Gwire-like in his offensive potency.

On this September 24, #13 completed 12 of 19 passes for 339 yards for four touchdowns to two different receivers. Marshall Faulk rushed for 78 yards in twenty carries on the afternoon. Both Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce collected two touchdown passes. Holt finished the afternoon with 189 yards receiving. Bruce finished the afternoon with 92 yards receiving and a sad demonstration of the silly and immature Duck Down dance.

The St. Louis Rams offense is very, very impressive. But we all know that.

On this September 24, the Rams demonstrated character and the defense demonstrated effectiveness. This is something we did not know.

On the game's first series, the Falcons raced down the field. Then thanks to a generous call by the officials, took a 7-0 lead on a Jamal Anderson touchdown run. Anderson proceeded with a rendition of the foolish Dirty Bird touchdown dance. (Why doesn't that rich and arrogant cartel better known as the National Football League contact the TV networks and set up an NFL amateur hour? That way football fans and non-football fans can view these classless touchdown celebrations for what they are-cheap entertainment)

Atlanta Coach Dan Reeves correctly surmised that if the Rams offense was on the sidelines, they couldn't score any points. A successful on-side kick followed.

But our Male Sheep kept their composure. The defense did not over-react. Rather, the St. Louis secondary silenced their critics by keeping the Falcons off the scoreboard. Then, once the St. Louis offense finally made it to the field, Jeff Wilkins's field goal made the score 7-3. With that kick, Wilkins remained perfect on the season in field goal attempts.

All and all, it was a very impressive win for the Home Team. Plus this was an impressive victory that could not have come at a better time.

For the past three games, football fans have been skeptical of the team's performance. On Thursday, the Head Coach "suspended and fined" Kevin Carter for failing to contact his office for his absence on the day after the birth of his child. Callers on squawk radio were choosing up sides. Yet, the Rams kept their focus and refused to get involved.

The defensive play of the team has been a lightning rod all season, despite the team's perfect record. On this September 24, the secondary came to play.

In the final three quarters, the Rams outscored the boys from Dixie 38-13. Atlanta quarterbacks were sacked eight times. St. Louis held the Jamal Anderson version of the Falcons to a total of 68 yards rushing. The Rams defeated Atlanta by three touchdowns despite losing the time of possession battle 32:44 to 27:16, committing twice as many penalties, and allowing their opponents 286 total yards.

Bottom line, in this, the biggest game of the season so far, the Rams defense responded.

On the evening of Sunday September 24, 1995 the St. Louis Rams held a 4-0 record. Local football fans were brashly boasting about the performance of the Home Team. Seven days later on October 1, 1995, the Rams would travel to the RCA Dome in Indianapolis to play the Colts of the AFC. St. Louis would lose to the Colts 21-18 that October 1 with an Indianapolis running back named Marshall Faulk rushing for 177 yards and scoring three touchdowns. The Rams would finish 3-9 after September 24, 1995.

On the evening of Sunday September 24, 2000 the St. Louis Rams hold a 4-0 record. Local football fans are brashly boasting about the performance of the Home Team. So far, they have won as many regular season games as the 1998 version of the Male Sheep.

Seven days from now, on October 1, 2000, the Rams will play in a dome: the Trans World Dome to entertain the San Diego Chargers of the AFC. That game's result as well as the final record of the 2000 Rams will be determined at a later date.

So as our Male Sheep prepare for the arrival of the Chargers and October, Martz and his staff should be concerned for a letdown. On paper, the Rams should be overwhelming favorites at the Home Dome against the boys from the left coast.

Still, the Head Coach and his Rams need to remember what history has taught us: in order to appreciate where you are going, you have to remember where you have been.