BERNIE: Why wouldn't Martz be overjoyed? Bad team still has shot at playoffs

[Nick]

Why wouldn't Martz be overjoyed? Bad team still has shot at playoffs
By Bernie Miklasz
Of the Post-Dispatch
Sunday, Dec. 05 2004

Mike Martz was so delirious with happiness, I thought the man would faint.
After a rather ordinary 16-6 victory over the hideous, stripped-down carcass of
what used to be the San Francisco *****, it was New Year's Eve for Martz, who
dispensed praise like cheap champagne and confetti.

Martz called his buddy, defensive coordinator Larry Marmie, "the best."

The Rams special teams?

"Remarkable," Martz said.

And backup QB Chris Chandler, who entered for the injured Marc Bulger?

"Outstanding," according to Martz.

And, of course, "remarkable."

Remarkable was the word of the day.

And what about cornerback Jerametrius Butler?

"I feel like he's had a Pro Bowl year, I really do," Martz said. "He's been so
good in every game. He's been remarkable. I don't know if we've had a corner
here that good."

Martz gushed about his defense, which just several days ago was jacked and
stomped for 446 yards in a humiliating 28-point loss at Green Bay. But because
the Rams subdued the awful *****, Martz all but pronounced the sick defense
healed.

"Right now these guys believe in what we're doing," he said. "They're confident
about the defense and play it as such. I'm very, very happy and very pleased
with their effort. The progress there is significant."

Wow. Imagine what Martz's reaction will be if the Rams actually beat a credible
opponent instead of grinding out a 10-point win at home over 1-11 San
Francisco? The once-glorious franchise of Bill Walsh, Joe Montana and Jerry
Rice is an unrecognizable outfit now. They're run by cheapskate John York, the
new Bill Bidwill among NFL owners. Celebrate a win over the ***** at your own
risk.

But I digress. I understand Martz's joy. He coaches a bad team, one filled with
holes, and it's been further ripped apart by injuries. And yet the Rams have
survived this adversity, and their own incompetence, to hang in for a 6-6
record.

In the NFC West, where teams are deficient in talent and heart or both, 6-6
gives the Rams a shot at a division title. In the NFC, 6-6 makes the Rams a
contender for a wild-card playoff spot. Assuming Minnesota holds onto the first
wild-card spot, the Rams will have to outwrestle the Giants, Cowboys, Bears,
Lions, Buccaneers, Panthers and Cardinals for the remaining bread crust.

So yes, Martz is entitled to feel good. With this group, any win is to be
embraced like a new puppy. And the Rams certainly did some positive things at
The Ed, even on a day when Bulger went down and out with a sprained shoulder
joint, the victim of feckless pass protection. And Chandler won't hold up if
this coaching staff continues to play Grant Williams at right offensive tackle.
The Rams finally benched Williams in the second half; the move came two months
late.

But rookie running back Steven Jackson was the power train of the offense,
rushing for 119 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per carry against a defense that has
played solidly against the run. Jackson also caught three passes for 30 yards.
Jackson is not only the future, he's the present. It would be a terrible
mistake for Martz to force Marshall Faulk back into a heavy-duty role out of
loyalty for past achievements. Ride the rookie.

Another plus: The defense finally played with passion. Marmie belatedly
discovered the benefits of the blitz, turned his guys loose and had them flying
to the ball. That's a start. And I was pleased to see defensive tackle Jimmy
Kennedy get a chance; he was disruptive at times. It just goes to show what can
happen when defensive line coach Bill Kollar tries to coach a young player up
instead of tearing down his confidence and self-esteem with constant tirades.
And - I had to check the replay to make sure - middle linebacker Robert Thomas
actually stepped into a hole and forcefully bruised a ball carrier with a
vicious tackle.

"It gets you excited for the rest of the season and what could happen," Martz
said about his team's overall performance.

Indeed, the Rams should be excited to be standing on Dec. 6 with a shot at the
playoffs. The truth is, they're a bad team, and the injuries are accumulating.
They have no business being in the chase, but here they are.

With Bulger down for an undetermined length of time, the playoff push won't get
any easier. Chandler is a pro with a strong arm. But he's rusty, and immobile.
And this fragile offensive line would need to get NFL permission to carry Taser
guns to protect any QB.

Sunday's win proved that the Rams are better than the *****. Which is hardly a
revelation. Now they go to Carolina. The Panthers have won four consecutive
games, by an average of 13 points. The Panthers are physical. They can run the
ball and get after the quarterback, and that often means problems for the Rams.
And the Rams are 0-4 in road games outside the division this season, having
lost them by an average of 20.5 points.

So, how about Martz's "Remarkable" Rams?

The only thing remarkable about this team is that it's still alive for a
playoff spot.

[PTHOR]

He just thinks that if he at least makes the playoffs and sacrifices the RAMS as a stepping stone for a real playoff capable to make the second round, Georgia will let him keep his job, as she has the last 4 seasons.

As I've said before, What good is going to the playoffs if your going to just be kicked out early?
Learn how to win first! And then show up like you belong there!!

[Nick]

If we saw anything this weekend, it's that even the best of the NFC's teams can be made a fool.

Look at Atlanta. Second best team in the NFC, and they get completely dominated. Look at Minnesota. The Bears made Culpepper look like a middle of the pack passer while their offense schooled the Vikings defense.

Any given Sunday, what we think of as perhaps a poor team is able to come and play against some of the better teams in this league. That's enough to give me hope that maybe, if the Rams do make the playoff, they have the potential to last longer than the first round.

If our defense for the rest of the season is half of what was on the field today, that's a big improvement that could carry us further than some might think, IMO.

[AvengerRam]

Bernie still has a job... remarkable.

Bernie doesn't get beaten up on a daily basis... amazing.

Bernie isn't forced to get a job making donuts at Krispy Kreme... astounding.

[SFCRamFan]

Bernie isn't forced to get a job making donuts at Krispy Kreme... astounding.

True, but he sure likes to eat them....Funny how he can get one through his pie hole with his foot in there, too...

[Yodude]

Any given Sunday, what we think of as perhaps a poor team is able to come and play against some of the better teams in this league. That's enough to give me hope that maybe, if the Rams do make the playoff, they have the potential to last longer than the first round.

Good point Nick, and that's exactly why I've not bought into the "we don't have enough talent" argument that's been making the rounds lately.

The most talented teams aren't always the best. I think we have more than enough talent to be competitive even with the teams that are thought to be the best. But the only way that can happen is if we play motivated and desciplined football and limit stupid mistakes and penalties.

[fearlessone]

If we saw anything this weekend, it's that even the best of the NFC's teams can be made a fool.

Look at Atlanta. Second best team in the NFC, and they get completely dominated. Look at Minnesota. The Bears made Culpepper look like a middle of the pack passer while their offense schooled the Vikings defense.

Any given Sunday, what we think of as perhaps a poor team is able to come and play against some of the better teams in this league. That's enough to give me hope that maybe, if the Rams do make the playoff, they have the potential to last longer than the first round.

If our defense for the rest of the season is half of what was on the field today, that's a big improvement that could carry us further than some might think, IMO.

Green Bay got shellacked too. Most of the teams we needed to lose on Sunday lost. So if the c-chicks go down tonite vs. tuna's boyz then we will be looking pretty good even if we can finish 2-2. Carolina has come on strong lately, the cards want revenge although their qb situation favors us at this point and the Jets and Eagles will be tough. Hopefully the beagles will rest their starters as they should have wrapped up homefield adv. thru the playoffs but the jets game will be huge for both teams as both teams will be fighting for a spot to play in the post season. IMHO!

The most talented teams aren't always the best. I think we have more than enough talent to be competitive even with the teams that are thought to be the best. But the only way that can happen is if we play motivated and disciplined football and limit stupid mistakes and penalties.

Add no playcalling for fake fieldgoal plays (when there is no chance it will work) and other poor coaching and play calling and we just might just be able to hang in there.

FLO

Go 'boyz!

[GSOT]

I can see the rams going to the nfc championship, cant you? I mean really if we dont play the eagles before then we can beat any team in the nfc imo. THE NFC IS THAT BAD. BTW as long as bulgers out look for holts numbers to grow and grow.

[Fargo Ram Fan]

""If we saw anything this weekend, it's that even the best of the NFC's teams can be made a fool.

Look at Atlanta. Second best team in the NFC, and they get completely dominated. Look at Minnesota. The Bears made Culpepper look like a middle of the pack passer while their offense schooled the Vikings defense. ""


Atlanta and VICK(in particular) have NOT faired well vs Tampa...this is NOT news. Atlanta was also DOMINATED(56-10)earlier this year. MN has really NOT been a good team outside in cold weather in recent years and the Bears ALWAYS play them tough...again..NOTHING NEW. Do you follow the NFL beyond the Rams??



""Any given Sunday, what we think of as perhaps a poor team is able to come and play against some of the better teams in this league. That's enough to give me hope that maybe, if the Rams do make the playoff, they have the potential to last longer than the first round.""


EVERY Team 'comes and plays' on any given Sunday...but the BETTER TEAMS(PHIL,NE,PITT,INDY) simply are NOT LOSING TO "POOR TEAMS" ala...THE RAMS! PLAYOFFS....LMAO!!


""If our defense for the rest of the season is half of what was on the field today, that's a big improvement that could carry us further than some might think, IMO.""



IF our defense plays the 9ers the rest of the season that statement will ring true. They just beat THE WORST TEAM IN THE NFL(by a whopping TEN POINTS!) after losing FOUR OUT OF FIVE GAMES IN HUMILIATING FASHION!! OY VEY!!

[adarian_too]

Of the Post-Dispatch
Sunday, Dec. 05 2004

Mike Martz was so delirious with happiness, I thought the man would faint.
After a rather ordinary 16-6 victory over the hideous, stripped-down carcass of what used to be SF ..., it was New Year's Eve for Martz, who
dispensed praise like cheap champagne and confetti.

Martz called his buddy, defensive coordinator Larry Marmie, "the best."

The Rams special teams? "Remarkable," Martz said.

And backup QB Chris Chandler, who entered for the injured Marc Bulger?
"Outstanding," according to Martz.

And what about cornerback Jerametrius Butler? Martz said: "He's been remarkable."

Wow. Imagine what Martz's reaction will be if the Rams actually beat a credible opponent instead of grinding out a 10-point win at home over 1-11 San Francisco?

"Oh what a tangled web we weave,
when we practice to deceive."