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By Bill Coats
Of the Post-Dispatch
11/19/2004
St Louis Rams coach Mike Martz gives fans a thumbs up as he leaves the field following the Rams' 23-12 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
(James A. Finley/AP)
Coach Mike Martz had dismissed the Rams after practice Friday afternoon when running back Marshall Faulk called the coach back to the team huddle. There, Martz was presented with a special memento.
It was a No. 50 Rams home jersey, with a white "Wins" stenciled on the blue back that contained the signatures of each player.
It signified Martz's 50 victories as the team's coach; his five-year record improved to 50-28 last Sunday when the Rams beat Seattle 23-12 at Edward Jones Dome. Only two of the franchise's 20 previous head coaches posted more wins: John Robinson, with 79 from 1983 through 1991; and Chuck Knox, with 72 in two stints, 1973-77 and 1992-94.
Martz was surprised and clearly touched by the gesture from his players. "It's pretty awesome. I'm choked up," he said. "The fact that they felt that way . . . I don't know what to tell you."
Told that he seemed to be at a loss for words, Martz said, "I am. They got me."
In Martz's first four seasons, the Rams won two division titles, made the playoffs three times, and appeared in one Super Bowl. The Rams (5-4) are atop the division standings heading into Sunday's game at Buffalo (3-6).
Holt's fog lifts
The head-on tackle by Seahawks strong safety Terreal Bierria that leveled Rams wideout Torry Holt, ending his day in the first quarter, was judged to be the hard hit of the week on ESPN's "Jacked Up" segment.
Holt suffered a concussion when Bierria drove him to the turf just after a Marc Bulger pass had arrived. But Holt bounced back quickly, passing a neurological test administered by the team's medical staff, and participating without limitations at all practices during the week.
"I'm 100 percent, ready to go," said Holt, who has 45 receptions for 634 yards after leading the NFL in both categories last season. "I had a great week of practice. I worked out and ran routes, I lifted weights .... no dizziness, no nausea. So, I feel good."
Holt said it wasn't the initial contact that knocked him woozy.
"It was when I fell back and hit the turf; that's when the impact was made," he said.
Quick hits
Cornerback Jerametrius Butler was added to the team's injury report after missing part of Friday's practice with a sore knee. He's listed as probable. ... Rookie defensive end Anthony Hargrove (stinger) sat out a second successive practice and might not be ready for Sunday's game. ... The NFL said Friday that left tackle Orlando Pace won't be fined as a result of his ejection Sunday vs. Seattle. Pace was thrown out late in the third quarter for knocking aside an official during a scuffle involving several players. Pace said the contact was unintentional.
Of the Post-Dispatch
11/19/2004
St Louis Rams coach Mike Martz gives fans a thumbs up as he leaves the field following the Rams' 23-12 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
(James A. Finley/AP)
Coach Mike Martz had dismissed the Rams after practice Friday afternoon when running back Marshall Faulk called the coach back to the team huddle. There, Martz was presented with a special memento.
It was a No. 50 Rams home jersey, with a white "Wins" stenciled on the blue back that contained the signatures of each player.
It signified Martz's 50 victories as the team's coach; his five-year record improved to 50-28 last Sunday when the Rams beat Seattle 23-12 at Edward Jones Dome. Only two of the franchise's 20 previous head coaches posted more wins: John Robinson, with 79 from 1983 through 1991; and Chuck Knox, with 72 in two stints, 1973-77 and 1992-94.
Martz was surprised and clearly touched by the gesture from his players. "It's pretty awesome. I'm choked up," he said. "The fact that they felt that way . . . I don't know what to tell you."
Told that he seemed to be at a loss for words, Martz said, "I am. They got me."
In Martz's first four seasons, the Rams won two division titles, made the playoffs three times, and appeared in one Super Bowl. The Rams (5-4) are atop the division standings heading into Sunday's game at Buffalo (3-6).
Holt's fog lifts
The head-on tackle by Seahawks strong safety Terreal Bierria that leveled Rams wideout Torry Holt, ending his day in the first quarter, was judged to be the hard hit of the week on ESPN's "Jacked Up" segment.
Holt suffered a concussion when Bierria drove him to the turf just after a Marc Bulger pass had arrived. But Holt bounced back quickly, passing a neurological test administered by the team's medical staff, and participating without limitations at all practices during the week.
"I'm 100 percent, ready to go," said Holt, who has 45 receptions for 634 yards after leading the NFL in both categories last season. "I had a great week of practice. I worked out and ran routes, I lifted weights .... no dizziness, no nausea. So, I feel good."
Holt said it wasn't the initial contact that knocked him woozy.
"It was when I fell back and hit the turf; that's when the impact was made," he said.
Quick hits
Cornerback Jerametrius Butler was added to the team's injury report after missing part of Friday's practice with a sore knee. He's listed as probable. ... Rookie defensive end Anthony Hargrove (stinger) sat out a second successive practice and might not be ready for Sunday's game. ... The NFL said Friday that left tackle Orlando Pace won't be fined as a result of his ejection Sunday vs. Seattle. Pace was thrown out late in the third quarter for knocking aside an official during a scuffle involving several players. Pace said the contact was unintentional.
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