#31: The St. Louis Rams

www.WeAreTheHecklers.com

It was 10 years ago, when the Rams won their Super Bowl, but it feels like the team will never recover. Over the past few years the Rams have seen their number fall apart. Offensive ranks and defensive ranks for points per game are as follows:

Offense Defense
2003: 2 17
2004: 19 25
2005: 11 31
2006: 10 28
2007: 28 31
2008: 30 31
(source: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/)

Last year was the farthest they've fallen, and the Rams have added...well not that much. They still have Marc Bulger who never really panned out as their starting QB. Their running back, Steven Jackson, has been to one pro-bowl but that was back in 2006. In 2008, he started 11 games and barely broke 1000 yards. Although he does have some good receiving numbers, you need a good running back. The Rams offensive line still has a bit of a distance to go.

Gone are the days of Holt, and in are Laurent Robinson, Donnie Avery and Randy McMichael (at tight end). The only star power on this team is the previously mentioned aging Jackson. The defense has solid starter Leonard Little on the end, and the linebackers are good enough, but not great.

The schedule is decent, as they go to Seattle - but Seattle is never a good trip no matter where you are from.

They get a game against the Lions on Nov 1st, and then head into a bye - so that is a feasible win. The Rams also host the Seahawks again, that would work, and I can see them beating the 49ers in St. Louis.

As always in the NFL there will be that extra win or two - so I can see a best-case scenerio for the Rams at about 6-10, but look for something closer to 5-11.

- Dave

NFL Preview: Hecklers Rankings. 32 Team breakdown

www.WeAreTheHecklers.com

What is below is the first ever Heckler Ratings. I asked the five main contributors to come up with a preseason ranking, and here is how it shaped up:



With all apologies to the sloppy format, the content leaves us many questions about fan-dom.

A few bulletpoints:

• There are only two teams that were unanimous decisions, the Steelers and the Patriots at 1 and 2 respectively.
• Tom Brady wants to play every game of the preseason. However, it could be a case of Brady just doing what he does - saying "I want to do it all" before his coaches step in and say, "Don't kid."
• The second best team last year - well at least losers of Super Bowl XLIII, are tied with the Bears, but since their variance was lower, they slotted in with the middle spot at 16.
• Despite many saying LT is past his prime, he has had an impressive camp and looks to bounce back from the foot injury that has plagued him recently.
  
• According to NFL.com's fantasy rankings, LT isn't even in the top five. In the top five? Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte. The Bears, as mentioned before, are in the middle of the pack. Yet, word out of Bears camp is that newly acquired QB Jay Cutler has made his receivers look fantastic. Fantasy freaks, look for Greg Olson to make huge plays this year.
• The Lions will be horrible, but the worst ever? Not so much, that was last year.

These are just some quick hits, but with the NFL season starting in about a month, and the Hall of Fame game being this upcoming Sunday. I am proud to announce that over the coming month, We Are The Hecklers will heckle and break down all 32 teams. That's right, every single team will be analyzed. The order will be the reverse order of the Heckler Ratings. Look for the Steelers to be heckled this coming Monday.

- Dave

I'm no Mark Buehrle...

I believe I have watched the various replays of Mark Buehrle's perfect game about a dozen times. The game itself was fantastic to watch, but not just for the game. Watching moments like these are for the fans as well. That is the joy of being a pure fan. So many people are getting caught up in steroids, but I'm just going to enjoy this is for what it is. If you haven't watch the final half inning. It is a moment in time. It can never be taken away.

This got me thinking about some of the best sports moments I have ever seen.

- The first football game I ever remember watching was Super Bowl XXVIII. This single game launched me into a level of sports fanaticism to which I have not come back from.

- The 1996 Jeffrey Maier catch against the Orioles which changed the dynamics of the entire playoffs. It was the moment that really defined the series. It didn't win it, but neither did LeBron's shot. Bill Buckner didn't LOSE the series, just botched a play. It's just a big piece of the puzzle.

- This one is more of a personal note, but when the Devils won the Stanley Cup on Jason Arnott's overtime winner. An honorable mention is when the Rangers won their cup in 1994 and Messier shaking the cup.

- When Jumbo Elliott caught the pass for the touchdown in the Monday Night Miracle.

- As much as I hate to say it, I remember when Louis Gonzalez hit that little blooper to left field. I refuse to put a link up to it.

- In an homage to my dad, I remember the Aaron Boone home run. For what it's worth, I have never seen the end of the 2004 or 2007 World Series' and I plan on keeping it that way. Regardless, they are big moments.

But the most important moment that I have experienced as a fan? This has nothing to do with sports itself.

Jack Buck's poem right after 9/11.

All this said, it is very important to remember the moments in sports that matter to you. When it really comes down to it - sports is a diversion and a method of entertainment. I am glad to be a fanatic for the teams I love and it will continuously provide us with moments that are going to remain in our memories for years to come.