Quote:
|
Hey Nick, its interesting that this thread does not have very many comments on it I wonder why?
|
Because the continuation isn't out yet?
But, since you seem to want comment on it...
Quote:
|
While many in the media along with many fans holler aloud that the end of the world is near, the Rams still have a chance to earn consecutive playoff berths by winning their division this season.
|
When you get folks putting forth "playoff appearances" and "winning a division" (without CONTEXT) as evidence that a team's doing well... you're not getting the full picture, at best.
The fact of the matter is that THIS is the progression, in context:
1999 - Super Bowl victory
(start Martz era)
2000 - Best record in NFL; loss in round 1 playoffs
2001 - Loss in Super Bowl
2002 - No playoffs
2003 - 12-4 record which masked the fact that the QB had a 1.0 TD to INT ratio. Despite the fact that the Defense took the ball away an INCREDIBLE amount of times, and with the telling stat that Wilkins' leg was almost off due to kicking so many FGs because the O couldn't score TDs in the Red Zone. Loss in round 1 playoffs when Martz shows he's gutless, and Bulger is exposed.
2004 - IF playoffs, it's because a team could win the division with an 8-8 record. This team is far more hopeless than the 2002 bunch.
That's the summation of Martz' tenure. As you can clearly see, there is a marked decline. Blame it on what you like; when a coach assumes a Super Bowl champion, his task is extremely difficult. He has nowhere "up" to go. Tough. That's the way it is. Hope you don't miss THIS fact, though... even Barry Switzer took his team to victory in the Super Bowl.. Martz couldn't even match Barry Switzer in keeping the team from free-fall after success (Hey, he was 3-4 years in the playoffs, with a victory in the SB.. 45-26 record). Now if that doesn't stick in anyone's craw, then maybe your craw ain't constructed right!
Now. Glad you got some comment? LOL