Green sees similarities of '99 in '08 ..

*MauiRam* · #1 (**permalink**) -11-05-2008

Green sees similarities of '99 in '08
By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
05/11/2008

Not that he wants to make any undue comparisons, but it seems so familiar to quarterback Trent Green.

In 1999, a year after the Rams went 4-12 and finished last in the NFC West, coach Dick Vermeil reshuffled his staff, including bringing in new offensive coordinator Mike Martz, and the team surged to a Super Bowl championship.

In 2008, a year after the Rams went 3-13 and tumbled into the NFC West basement, Scott Linehan hired seven new assistants, lured Al Saunders to run his offense and the team ...

That'll be determined later, of course. But Green, 37, a Vianney High product who returned to the Rams as a free agent to back up Marc Bulger, likes what he has seen so far.

"There's a lot of energy, a lot of excitement" at minicamp, he said. "I can see where people want to draw the comparison (to the '99 season). But as good as we thought we were going to be that year, I don't think anybody could've predicted that type of success. ...

"We're all hoping that happens; that's what everybody's goal is. But I don't think I want to put that type of pressure on this year's team."

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN STRAINS CALF

Wouldn't you know that after injuries riddled the offensive line last year, the first player to limp to the sideline would be an O-lineman. Tackle Mark LeVoir, who suffered a strained calf muscle a couple of weeks ago in the offseason conditioning program, was reinjured early in Friday's practice and sat out Saturday.

First-team free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe was in uniform but stayed on the sideline after "tweaking" a hamstring muscle Friday. "He came out and warmed up, but it just didn't feel right," Linehan said. "It was too tight, and we're not going to take any chances with him right now."

RAM-BLINGS

The three-day minicamp wraps up Sunday at Rams Park. A month of organized team activities, which essentially are light practices, begin Tuesday. ... At halftime Nov. 10 of the Arizona Cardinals' game against San Francisco, former Rams defensive back Aeneas Williams will become the 13th player inducted into the Arizona Cardinals' Ring of Honor. Williams spent 10 seasons with the Cardinals before finishing his career with four years in St. Louis; he retired after the 2004 season.

*Ramer* · #2 (**permalink**) -12-05-2008

I hope Green is right! But honestly, I think we are going to have a great season, as long as we stay healthy.

*Mooselini* · #3 (**permalink**) -12-05-2008

Good post Ramer. We stay healthy, the NFL fans are in for a surprise. I think we'll be a good team next year. It'd be nice to see the Rams go to the superbowl, better yet win it. But Green is right, you cant put that kind of pressure on the team. Play week by week.

**laram0** · #4 (**permalink**) -12-05-2008

Strained calf...tweaked hamstring? Are these guys stretching properly before and after practice? Are they staying hydrated enough? This is sickening!

CONDITIONING!!!!!

*AlphaRam* · #5 (**permalink**) -12-05-2008

Keep Rodney Harrison away from Green!

*RealRam* · #6 (**permalink**) -12-05-2008

Quote:

I hope Green is right! But honestly, I think we are going to have a great season, as long as we stay healthy. -- Ramer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooselini

Good post Ramer. We stay healthy, the NFL fans are in for a surprise. I think we'll be a good team next year. It'd be nice to see the Rams go to the superbowl, better yet win it. But Green is right, you cant put that kind of pressure on the team. Play week by week.

"Health is the first wealth". So said R. W. Emerson. And I too believe that a healthy 2008 Rams team will be a much stronger vie for the playoffs than the rest of the division ... okay, okay, much stronger than the 2007 Rams!

*Mooselini* · #7 (**permalink**) -13-05-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealRam

"Health is the first wealth". So said R. W. Emerson. And I too believe that a healthy 2008 Rams team will be a much stronger vie for the playoffs than the rest of the division ... okay, okay, much stronger than the 2007 Rams!

Now now. That means we may only go 4-12. We don't want that.

I think that if our starters stay healthy, we'll easily be second place in the NFC West. ESPN Power rankings have us lower than San Fran. Sure it was that way last year, but we're a different team. Trent Green sees it, and I hope the squad can prove that we're a different, much better team.

*YodaRam* · #8 (**permalink**) -13-05-2008

I'll BET Green wouldn't mind seeing similarities. Bulger gets a crushing injury in the pre-season. Green takes over and has a monster season! Leads us to a Super Bowl VICTORY!! ..........well,... maybe not.

RAM ON!