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I've been thinking a lot lately about how to mark my 2000th post on these forums. It's taken me a long while to get here, since February of 2006 actually, so I thought I'd take the time to at least commemorate (or commiserate?) my way through our past three seasons here at the Clan.
What's really taken me lately is the amount of posters gearing themselves toward 2010. Already. I have to say that I don't understand this at all. When things were falling apart for us last season, the light at the end of the tunnel for me was the 2009 NFL Draft. A new coach, a new direction and a host of new players. I have to say I was genuinely thrilled come draft day. For me, draft day involves waking up at three in the morning because I'm too excited to sleep before the draft itself starts sometime around 6AM. It's been televised in Australia the past two years which has been fantastic.
Then, after the draft was over and all the dust had settled, I discovered something: I really missed Rams football. The season before I had put so much stock into next year that I hadn't taken the time to appreciate what was on my TV Screen. The draft was over and it was almost like clutching at straws, upon realising that in all likelihood, we still had a long way to go. It was almost like I'd skipped out on a year of football because I wanted to win now, and the only way I could compensate was to hold out for '09. Admittedly, there wasn't a whole lot to appreciate. 2-14 does bad things to your internal organs.
2009 has indeed rolled around, and, as many of us thought would happen, the Rams are headed in the right direction, especially on defense, but we continue to struggle. But something's changed. For me, at least. I've stopped caring about 2010. I don't care that we are, in all likelihood, destined to end up with the first overall selection in the draft and could well be grooming a new QB for 2011. I don't care that the offensive line play is only marginally better than last season. I see no reason to look forward to 2010 any more than I look forward to this coming Sunday. Win, lose or draw, the St. Louis Rams are playing and I'll be damned if I'm going to miss it.
We're going to continue making progress, week in and week out. By the end of this season, we're going to be an improved football team. But the only way we can make these improvements is by taking every single sunday as it comes. Treating every single sunday like it's the most important game, rather than a precursor to what is supposed to be a bright future. I don't care if we lose every game by double digits. I care that we're making progress. I care about this team coming together and playing cohesively. To me, that's the mark of a true stepping stone to playing well. Sticking it to the other team week in and week out, even if you're well behind in the W column.
Finally, I'd like to say a quick thanks to Dez, HUb, Nick, Av, Mike, Laram0, Sam, Alpha, Jk, EDM, Ramsbruce, BRM, RFTID, Utterblitz, general_counsel, Infitinti, Ramwraith, Cali, Mooselini, Maui, Varg, Ramarkable, 39TheBeast, RF16, Goldenfleece and any of our other regular cast and crew who I've forgotten and will undoubtedly need to apologise to via PM. You all have made this my second home on the internet. Thanks for putting up with me! I look forward to visiting each and every day for my dose of all things Ram. Though I've never met any of you in person, I consider you all my Clan family. Except for BernieM. Haha!
Thanks for making this site what it is: the best damn Rams board on the world wide web.
Here's to another 2000, (and maybe a WIN this season??)
BBQ.
What's really taken me lately is the amount of posters gearing themselves toward 2010. Already. I have to say that I don't understand this at all. When things were falling apart for us last season, the light at the end of the tunnel for me was the 2009 NFL Draft. A new coach, a new direction and a host of new players. I have to say I was genuinely thrilled come draft day. For me, draft day involves waking up at three in the morning because I'm too excited to sleep before the draft itself starts sometime around 6AM. It's been televised in Australia the past two years which has been fantastic.
Then, after the draft was over and all the dust had settled, I discovered something: I really missed Rams football. The season before I had put so much stock into next year that I hadn't taken the time to appreciate what was on my TV Screen. The draft was over and it was almost like clutching at straws, upon realising that in all likelihood, we still had a long way to go. It was almost like I'd skipped out on a year of football because I wanted to win now, and the only way I could compensate was to hold out for '09. Admittedly, there wasn't a whole lot to appreciate. 2-14 does bad things to your internal organs.
2009 has indeed rolled around, and, as many of us thought would happen, the Rams are headed in the right direction, especially on defense, but we continue to struggle. But something's changed. For me, at least. I've stopped caring about 2010. I don't care that we are, in all likelihood, destined to end up with the first overall selection in the draft and could well be grooming a new QB for 2011. I don't care that the offensive line play is only marginally better than last season. I see no reason to look forward to 2010 any more than I look forward to this coming Sunday. Win, lose or draw, the St. Louis Rams are playing and I'll be damned if I'm going to miss it.
We're going to continue making progress, week in and week out. By the end of this season, we're going to be an improved football team. But the only way we can make these improvements is by taking every single sunday as it comes. Treating every single sunday like it's the most important game, rather than a precursor to what is supposed to be a bright future. I don't care if we lose every game by double digits. I care that we're making progress. I care about this team coming together and playing cohesively. To me, that's the mark of a true stepping stone to playing well. Sticking it to the other team week in and week out, even if you're well behind in the W column.
Finally, I'd like to say a quick thanks to Dez, HUb, Nick, Av, Mike, Laram0, Sam, Alpha, Jk, EDM, Ramsbruce, BRM, RFTID, Utterblitz, general_counsel, Infitinti, Ramwraith, Cali, Mooselini, Maui, Varg, Ramarkable, 39TheBeast, RF16, Goldenfleece and any of our other regular cast and crew who I've forgotten and will undoubtedly need to apologise to via PM. You all have made this my second home on the internet. Thanks for putting up with me! I look forward to visiting each and every day for my dose of all things Ram. Though I've never met any of you in person, I consider you all my Clan family. Except for BernieM. Haha!
Thanks for making this site what it is: the best damn Rams board on the world wide web.
Here's to another 2000, (and maybe a WIN this season??)
BBQ.
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