Holt says Rams players support Linehan

[RamWraith]

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, Dec. 28 2007

You wouldn't always know it by the reaction of the team's star players, but
Pro Bowl receiver Torry Holt believes Rams coach Scott Linehan has the
confidence of his players.

Holt is among those caught on film this season in apparent sideline
disagreement with the second-year coach. The normally upbeat receiver was seen
screaming at Linehan toward the end of a loss to Pittsburgh on Dec. 20. Earlier
this season, running back Steven Jackson apologized after a sideline tantrum.
And quarterback Marc Bulger was seen rolling his eyes after speaking with
Linehan.

Holt's endorsement on Friday was hardly overwhelming.

"Yeah, I would say he has the confidence of the offense," Holt said. "That's
all we got. We don't have nothing else. That's who we have to work with on a
day-to-day basis. I would say he has the confidence of the guys.

"Now is it overflowing confidence? I don't know. But I think guys have some
confidence in him and some respect for coach."

Holt, the Rams' only representative for the Pro Bowl this year, is a team
leader who usually emphasizes the sunny side of things. However, he revealed
another side of his personality after Pittsburgh's Ike Taylor intercepted
Bulger's pass late in the game. Taylor returned it 51 yards for a touchdown
that sealed the Steelers' 41-24 victory.

Television cameras caught Holt unleashing a tirade against Linehan.

"I don't like getting to that point," Holt said. "I hate getting to that
point and I hate letting my frustration build up to that point. Never ever do I
lose my composure like that.

"I try to remain calm. I try to remain like a bottle of wine -- smooth and
good. But that time I guess the old whiskey came out of me right there."

For his part, Linehan downplayed the incident, saying it was not a "big
deal" and came in the "heat of the battle."

Holt said the outburst was partly the result of a disappointing season. The
Rams (3-12) finish up Sunday at Arizona (7-8).

"I was venting some frustration," Holt said. "It may not have been the
appropriate place to do it. It is what it is. We've talked about it. He spoke
his peace and I spoke mine. As far as I'm concerned, it's put to bed. You move
on."

Team president John Shaw has said he expects Linehan to be back for a third
season. Linehan is 11-20 since replacing Mike Martz prior to the 2006 season.

Holt wasn't second-guessing the apparent decision to bring Linehan back.

"That's up to those guys upstairs," Holt said. "I'm totally oblivious to
what's going on. All I do is show up every year and try to live up to my end of
the bargain by being in shape and trying to play at a high level."

NOTES: CB Fakhir Brown returned to practice Friday after missing two days
with a stomach ailment. Linehan said he would play Sunday. ... LB Brandon
Chillar returned to practice after missing two days with a strained calf
muscle. He should play Sunday but if he can't, rookie Quinton Culberson will
play.

[Rambos]

Holt said thats all we got

LOL, sad we have too we don't have anyone else.:\

[RamOfDenmark]

"Yeah, I would say he has the confidence of the offense," Holt said. "That's all we got. We don't have nothing else. That's who we have to work with on a day-to-day basis. I would say he has the confidence of the guys.

"Now is it overflowing confidence? I don't know. But I think guys have some confidence in him and some respect for coach."

Now these comments are far worse than the other ones reported. He's pretty much continuing his critique here "some" confidence and respect - you wouldn't say that unless the amount is rather small. "That's all we've got" - damn that's just harsh.

I think one quote in particular tells you exactly what Holt is thinking: "That's who we have to work with on a day-to-day basis.". This is Holt realizing that the front office will keep Linehan and saying the bare minimum required to be able to keep working with him next year. The message in these quotes is very clear I think and Linehan won't like it. Linehan has clearly lost Holt's support, if not the entire teams, if he ever really had it.

[Goldenfleece]

It kind of sounds like they try to have confidence in spite of Linehan, not because of him.

[r8rh8rmike]

I think one quote in particular tells you exactly what Holt is thinking: "That's who we have to work with on a day-to-day basis.". This is Holt realizing that the front office will keep Linehan and saying the bare minimum required to be able to keep working with him next year. The message in these quotes is very clear I think and Linehan won't like it. Linehan has clearly lost Holt's support, if not the entire teams, if he ever really had it.

I also think this is a telling comment, and if Linehan doesn't like it, he needs to think long and hard about how it was manifested and what he can do to correct it.

[Tony Soprano]

.
Yeah, we got some, that's all we have to work with on a day-to-day basis.

Damning, if you ask me. These are people that will be fined for criticizing the coach to the Media, ya know.

[general counsel]

What does anyone expect him to say publicly? Holt is far too politically savy to bash the coach in print. what happened on the sideline says it all since in the sperm of the moment, Holt did not have his usual brain to mouth filter working.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[81~BIG-GAME]

What does anyone expect him to say publicly? Holt is far too politically savy to bash the coach in print. what happened on the sideline says it all since in the sperm of the moment, Holt did not have his usual brain to mouth filter working.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

I agree gc, but if you go by what Torry didn't say then you can draw your own conclusion's. He DIDN'T say that coach had all his confidence and support basically what he said IMO is that whatever respect that he and veteran players had in Linehan is dwindling on a daily basis and soon they won't respect him at all (If this hasn't happened already). To me the only move that makes sense is to get rid of Linehan because he has clearly lost the support of the players in the locker room and frankly I'm not surprised...

[Ram Dragoon]

It strikes me as PR damage control.

Keep a happy face and smile while who knows what I am really thinking. I think both Jackson and Holt realize what a disruption it would be to the team if they lead a revolt. I bet my next pay check that FO has had a little talk with the leaders of the team to try and quall any revolt or mutiney.

ITs what HOLT hasn't said that is the most telling and how he said it. I get the impress he is saying, he's going to do his job despite Linehan, but doesnt see an overall turn around. Likely Holt knows what the Ram's situation and is powerless to affect any changes
:\

[AvengerRam]

I wonder if the person who wrote the headline for this article actually read it first.

[Nick]

"Yeah, I would say he has the confidence of the offense," Holt said. "That's
all we got. We don't have nothing else. That's who we have to work with on a
day-to-day basis. I would say he has the confidence of the guys.

"Now is it overflowing confidence? I don't know. But I think guys have some
confidence in him and some respect for coach."

That's just downright bad. "We have some confidence and some respect for him simply because he's all we've got." Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

[RamsFan16]

It kind of sounds like they try to have confidence in spite of Linehan, not because of him.

Yeah, also you'd be fined in a heart beat if you were to publicly say that the team didn't believe in Linehan and then he has no support. It'd be degrading the whole organization.