A jump-start to '08 for Rams

[RamWraith]

By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Wednesday, Apr. 16 2008

Maybe the Rams upset somebody at NFL headquarters, because in terms of degree
of difficulty, their 2008 schedule is front-loaded to the max. Over the first
seven games of ’08, the Rams face five playoff teams from last season,
including both Super Bowl participants.

The combined regular-season record of those first seven foes was 73-39.

Among them, only Buffalo (7-9) is coming off a losing season.

In contrast, the Rams face only one ’07 playoff team (Seattle) over the final
nine games.

Those nine opponents had a combined mark of 52-92 last season.

So if the Rams can tread water through the first two months, they could be on
to something.

Then again, this is a team that started 0-8 last year.


Preseason schedule:
Week 1 at Tennessee, TBD
Week 2 San Diego, TBD
Week 3 Baltimore, TBD
Week 4, 7 p.m. Aug 28 at Kansas City


Game 1 • Philadelphia
Sun., Sept. 7 • KTVI (2) • Noon
The last time the Rams opened in Philly (in 2001), they won 20-17 in OT and
went on to win the NFC title. Will history repeat? Only an optimist would say
yes.

Game 2 • NY Giants
Sun., Sept. 14 • KTVI (2) • Noon
For the third time since the move to St. Louis, the Rams host a defending Super
Bowl champ. They lost the other two matchups by a combined 84-32.

Game 3 • Seattle
Sun. Sept. 21 • KTVI (2) • 3:05 p.m.
The Rams haven’t won at Qwest Field since 2004. At least Josh Brown can’t beat
them with a last-second field goal.

Game 4 • Buffalo
Sun. Sept. 28 • KMOV (4) • 3:05 p.m.
The Bills haven’t visited St. Louis since ‘95, the inaugural year for the team
here. This may be the most winnable game for the Rams until November.

Game 5 • Washington
Sun. Oct. 12 • KTVI (2) • Noon
The Rams begin a stretch of 4 road games in 6 contests against another NFC East
foe. The “St. Louis” Rams have lost 5 of 7 against the ‘Skins.

Game 6 • Dallas
Sun. Oct. 19 • KTVI (2) • Noon
The potent Cowboys bring their traveling circus to town with Romo, TO, and
maybe even Pacman. This completes the Rams’ tour of the NFC East.

Game 7 • New England
Sun. Oct. 26 • KTVI (2) • Noon
Not since 2001 have these teams met in Foxborough. Hopefully, the Rams will
hold any Saturday walk-throughs in St. Louis — under strict security.

Game 8 • Arizona
Sun. Nov. 2 • KTVI (2) • Noon
Will Kurt Warner be starting for the Big Red at QB by now? And will he shred
the Rams as he did in the ’07 finale, a humiliating 48-19 loss for St. Louis?

Game 9 • NY Jets
Sun. Nov. 9 • KTVI (2) • Noon
This is one of the more winnable games of ’08. But how will those high-priced
Jets free agents be playing? What will the Rams’ injury list look like?

Game 10 • San Francisco
Sun. Nov. 16 • KTVI (2) • 3:05 p.m.
We’ll have to see it to believe it. Sometime in pregame warm-ups, Mike Martz
will chat up WR Isaac Bruce — and both will be wearing ***** gear!

Game 11 • Chicago
Sun. Nov. 23 • KTVI (2) • Noon
The Bears seem to be very much in decline after their 2006 Super Bowl run. Memo
to Al Roberts: Don’t kick or punt the ball anywhere near Devin Hester.

Game 12 • Miami
Sun. Nov. 30 • KMOV (4) • Noon
Who will prove to be the turkey in this post-Thanksgiving clash? Bill Parcells
will be worth every cent if he has the ’Fins in playoff contention this late.

Game 13 • Arizona
Sun. Dec. 7 • KTVI (2) • 3:15 p.m.
Speaking of playoff contention, the Rams close the season with 3 of their last
4 contests against NFC West foes. Will it still matter on Pearl Harbor day?

Game 14 • Seattle
Sun., Dec 14 • KTVI (2) • Noon
Seattle could be closing in on its fifth straight NFC West crown. Once more,
with feeling: Josh Brown won’t beat the Rams with a last-second FG.

Game 15 • San Francisco
Sun., Dec 21 • KTVI (2) • Noon
The Rev. Ike returns to St. Louis. No matter what the score, regardless of the
game’s importance — or lack thereof — there will be chants of “BR-UUUU-CE!”

Game 16 • Atlanta
Sun. Dec. 28 • KTVI (2) • Noon
Were the schedule-makers saving the worst for last? These combatants were a
combined 7-25 in ’07. Will the finale have more at stake than draft position?

[majorram]

All I'm going to say the Rams better BE ready to play.... talk about brutal over the first seven weeks....


steve

[Rambos]

Many Ram fans say we get no respect, well you have to earn it. IF we played and beat the Cards,Fins,Falcons ect. Really does notr mean much. The Rams have to play and beat the big boys to get respect! Bring iit on!

[TekeRam]

He says that Brown can't beat us on a last second FG, but he so still can... it'll just be MISSING a FG as opposed to hitting them.

[Mooselini]

As mentioned before, we need to beat the best to get some respect in the league. We need to work hard to make it there. And Linehan is doing what it takes to win the hearts of the fans back and keep his job.