Rams Worse Than Self-Imploding?

I think when people look back at the 2008 season for the St. Louis Rams, the one thing that will jump out is how the lack of clarity around the ownership of the team doomed their season.  And possibly their next few seasons.

There were rumors dating back to last season that coach Scott Linehan was going to get fired. Those rumors proved to be false, and then in January, team owner Georgia Frontiere passed away, and her son Chip Rosenbloom assumed control–but promised not to make any changes until he could “evaluate the team.”

Now, as recently as Septemeber 16th, after the regular season started, Rosenbloom has finally threatened to make changes.

Meanwhile, Linehan has started making changes to the starting lineup–and in the process, has likely lost the team.  He cut starting cornerback Fakhir Brown (who was rumored to be facing a suspension), and benched starting quarterback Marc Bulger in favor of oft-concussed Trent Green.

This caused starting running back Steven Jackson, who held out to start the season, to publicly criticize the decision, and question whether Bulger would be willing to return to the lineup, if when needed, and veteran wide receiver Torry Holt to apologize to Bulger for poor play.

Now, there are rumors that Linehan is trying to trade Torry Holt, and may end up releasing him if he can’t trade him.

First, if Bulger refuses to play when called upon, he deserves to be suspended.  And then released in the off-season.  And blackballed.  You just can’t quit on your team, no matter how moronic your coach is.

Second, Linehan needs to be fired.  Now.  Saturday night, before the game.  He has completely lost the team, and benching/cutting the most talented players on the team isn’t going to reverse things.

Bottom line, the Rams are terrible, and if they keep this up, they may follow up the Patriots record 16-0 regular season with the first ever 0-16 regular season–the only thing that may save them is that they play in the pathetic NFC West.