The most idiotic comment I've ever read

[AvengerRam]

As those of you who have been around here for a while know, I'm not a big fan of sportswriters. However, I don't think I'm being overly critical when I say that John Clayton has just published the most idiotic comment I've ever read in a sports-related article.

This comes from his weekly "First and 10" column:

Two playoff teams in the ''Show Me'' State? The Kansas City Chiefs entered the season figuring they were a six-win team that might win eight or more if they got a few breaks. They are 8-5 and lead the AFC West. The Rams thought they were a four-win team that might get a few breaks to get six wins. The Rams are tied for the lead in the NFC West. The lesson learned by both franchises is the value of a quarterback who is functioning at a high level. The Rams vaulted to six wins with Sam Bradford, the odds-on favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. He has passed for 2,884 yards and will join Manning and Matt Ryan as the only rookie quarterbacks to throw for more than 3,000 yards. With offensive playmakers who can make plays after the catch this season, Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel has gone from a quarterback who threw a touchdown and an interception a game last season to one this season who has 23 touchdown passes and only four interceptions. Cassel missed last Sunday's game against the Chargers because an appendectomy, and the Chiefs were shut out with Brodie Croyle behind center. Cassel returned to practice this week.

At first glance, maybe that seemed pretty innocuous, right? Well, most of it is, except for this part:

The Rams thought they were a four-win team that might get a few breaks to get six wins.

The Rams thought that???? Really???

You're telling me that, at the start of the season, the Rams players and coaches said "Gee, I don't see us winning more than 4 games... 6 if we're really lucky?"

Hell no!

Nobody can say that they "knew" the Rams would be 6-7 and in the division lead at this stage of the season, but you can't tell me that the Rams "thought" they were a "four win team."

I don't think Clayton understands what it means to be a competitor. Let's make this simple: EVERY PLAYER in the NFL believes they can win EVERY WEEK. NO PLAYER goes into the season believing his team will lose 12 games.

There are essentially four primary factors that determine which teams win in the NFL (or any sport). They are (in no particular order): talent, health, preparation and execution.

Do you think the Rams started the year thinking they had no talent?

Do you think they anticipated poor health?

Do you think they operated with the intent not to prepare or to execute?

I truly believe that one of the reasons that the Rams have succeeded is that the team's leadership, from Devaney, to Spags, to S-Jax to Bradford, truly believed that the team could rise from the ashes, and the rest of the team bought into that notion.

Sportswriters and fans may have seen the Rams as a "four win team" at the start of the season.

The Rams didn't, and that's one of the reasons they're going for their 7th win in Week 15.

[r8rh8rmike]

I agree, an utterly rediculous statement. Maybe he can cite the source who had authorization to give the Rams official expected win total for the season.

[RamsInfiniti]

Ok, one second. Take a look at John Clayton.

Enough said, can we close the thread?

[r8rh8rmike]

And to think he was put in the writer's wing of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007......

[swatter555]

I think your going overboard a little. You telling me that some teams don't take on a losing mentality? Steven Jackson said on at least one occasion that the Rams now enter every game expecting to win... as opposed to what?

Maybe I am missing your point, but realistic expections must enter the thoughts of players, coaches, and management at some point. Why not sportswriters? Sure players want to compete, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't realize their team sucks if it did. Im sure many of the veteran Rams are deep down surprised at the quick turnaround. That just my opinion though, don't ask me to cite sources.

[sjacksonrules]

Ok, one second. Take a look at John Clayton.

Enough said, can we close the thread?

Are you sure thats clayton and not the new spokes person for beef jerkey?

[MoonJoe]

Clayton is a ginourmous pimple.

["sb2sb2sb"]

Rams fans/media thought would make sense. I don't think any team goes into a season thinking "We only had one win last year, I think we will get around 4-5 this year. Lets do it guys!"

[live4ramin]

Well. it sounds like Bernie finally made it out of the Clan doghouse.

My take is that Clayton's gone out of his way to be positive here. He could've done another Eagles piece.

When we do get ink we bite the hand.

[AvengerRam]

Maybe I am missing your point, but realistic expections must enter the thoughts of players, coaches, and management at some point.

What were the "realistic" expectations of the 1999 Rams, coming off a 3-13 season and starting a former Arena League player at QB?

[LA Rammer]

okay my first reaction when I saw the title of this thread is, "what the heck did i say now!"

[codeman123]

All year Spags said his goal is the NFC West title. That's obviously been the teams expectation, to win around 8-10 games for the division. The fans and media expected a 4 win team, and who cares what media think.

[lordwhttgr]

Well I for one stated 9-7 at the beginning, right after we drafted Sam Bradford, So I obviously am not the source!!!!

Believe half of what you see and none of what you read.

[lordwhttgr]

Steven Jackson said on at least one occasion that the Rams now enter every game expecting to win... as opposed to what?

Showing up and playing hard just to see the wide reciever take a play off( Randy Moss) and collect a pay check.

We still have a couple of those type players on the team.

[sjacksonrules]

Well I for one stated 9-7 at the beginning, right after we drafted Sam Bradford, So I obviously am not the source!!!!

Believe half of what you see and none of what you read.

I can vouch for that. Him and I both have been drinking this kool aid since the beginning.