Nostalgia is cool and all....

[txramsfan]

And I get why we cling desperately to 1999 and try to figure out how this year could equate to the 1999 year. However, do we have to? Why can't we build another winner without the 1999 inference? I think we are....we aren't there yet but we are just a few "questions away" from being answered.

1. Can Carriker/Ryan manipulate the D line?

2. Can Chris Long become a force on the D End?

3. Can we get Spoon and Pisa on the field at the same time?

4. Can the secondary play up to it's potential?

5. Can the O line stay intact?

6. Can Avery step up and be a playmaker?

If each of those questions turn out, not from our speculation but on the field, to be "YES", then the Rams win the West. No doubt. I do have faith, I do see a future, but I won't go back in time to validate this team. It's different, but the results could be the same.

[HUbison]

Good points, tx. Gotta spread the love before I can rep ya.

The '99 team was built on a high tech Air Coryell offense with speed to burn, and the greatest all-around back in the history of football. The defense was "good enough".

The '08 team, if everyone steps up and stays healthy, will be built on a motion offense creating mismatches, and a younger blitzing D.

Completely different teams, but with a little luck (okay, maybe a lot of luck), the results could be the same.

[laram0]

Originally Posted by txramsfan

And I get why we cling desperately to 1999 and try to figure out how this year could equate to the 1999 year. However, do we have to? Why can't we build another winner without the 1999 inference? I think we are....we aren't there yet but we are just a few "questions away" from being answered.

1. Can Carriker/Ryan manipulate the D line?

2. Can Chris Long become a force on the D End?

3. Can we get Spoon and Pisa on the field at the same time?

4. Can the secondary play up to it's potential?

5. Can the O line stay intact?

6. Can Avery step up and be a playmaker?

If each of those questions turn out, not from our speculation but on the field, to be "YES", then the Rams win the West. No doubt. I do have faith, I do see a future, but I won't go back in time to validate this team. It's different, but the results could be the same.

I would be happy if we can accomplish 1, 2 and 5. That's 50% of the list and puts us in the playoffs. Now if we could add #4? Look out NFL!

[AvengerRam]

Good questions. Change "can" (the answer is "yes") to "will" (the answer is "we'll have to wait to see").