The Linehan Watch

The Rams lost by 35 points in Week 1. They lost by 28 in Week 2. And, they lost by 24 yesterday.

So, things are getting better...mathematically.

Progress as promised.

At halftime of FOX's coverage, former Cowboys' coach Jimmy Johnson said there's no point to firing a coach mid-season.

I'm quite confident in saying many Rams' fans---if not 90%---would disagree.

However, Johnson's point is well-taken in the sense that it's important for Rams' fans to understand this thing is so beyond bad that a new head coach isn't going to turn it around. As a matter of fact, I'm not quite sure it can be turned around in one-year's time...and in the NFL, that's saying a lot.

Nationally, even though locally most fans can see how big of a mess this is, the move of firing a head coach after Week 3 or Week 4 would be viewed as the act of a mess of a franchise.

However, most nationally a) haven't watched the Rams as often as St. Louisan's over the last 35 games (because unless your name is J.C. Pearson or Matt Vasgersian...odds are you're not calling the game), and b) weren't aware of the circumstances surrounding the Rams' organization and the impact of Georgia Frontiere's health on Linehan coaching in 2008 as opposed to being fired after 2007.

Those are two important factors.

However, most important, and once again, this is something that only a handful of people outside of St. Louis can understand, this franchise is in an increasingly dangerous position with its fan base.

The firing of Scott Linehan will not make the 2008 Rams a playoff team...or even a good team. But, it will illustrate to this region that ownership recognizes there's a problem, and while it can't be fixed---and it won't be rectified---with one move, it will be the start of the rebuilding process.

And, quite frankly, at this point, that would feel as good as a victory for Rams' fans.

Meanwhile...On The Field...

-Alex Barron's false starts are like Gary Coleman's "Arnold Drummond" character's "whatchutalkinbout Willis?"

Amidst a feast of comedy, you knew you could count on a "whatchutaklinbout Willis" to be the cherry on top of the episode. Every episode.

-Who gives better coverage? AIG or Tye Hill?

-Steven Jackson breaks off his biggest play of the year...featuring John Madden Football-caliber spin moves. It was, offensively, the highlight of the year to date.

Unfortunately, Jackson wasn't able to get back on the field for 2 plays, because he was gassed on the sidelines.

If Jackson doesn't miss a month of work in Wisconsin, is he huffing and puffing while Travis Minor loses 2 yards in the backfield?

-Honestly, when it got to 17-0 in the 1st Quarter, were you hoping the Seahawks stayed on pace and won 68-0? As strange as it may sound to some, I know many of you (myself included) wanted it to get as bad as possible at that point...just to begin the rebuilding process much sooner.

My guess is that process will begin within the next week.

2008 Missouri Tigers=2000 St. Louis Rams?

I don't want to jump up and down about this point, but I do think it's healthy about 30% of the way through the season to make this observation: Missouri is indeed a great football team. And, Missouri has the talent to legitimately compete for the National Championship. But, Missouri's secondary play could be to its title chances what the entire defense was to the Rams' 2000 season.

The Tigers have allowed 11 touchdowns this season, and 8 of those scores came on plays of 20 yards or more.

Listen...when the team is 4-0 and ranked #5 or #6 depending on which poll you recognize...I realize any criticism can be viewed as nitpicking. But, Missouri has allowed these big plays to happen against teams lacking the caliber of quarterbacks they're going to see over the next two months in the Big 12. Juice Williams had a career day against the Tiger secondary, and with all due respect to Williams, I think most college football fans would acknowledge when it comes to throwing the football, Williams isn't up there with Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson, Texas' Colt McCoy, and Kansas' Todd Reesing.

When the Broncos and the Seahawks put up a combined 70 points in Weeks 1 and 2 against the 2000 Rams, Mike Martz busted out the now infamous, "Shoot, we'll fix it," when asked about his defense. It was never fixed, and the Rams allowed a combined 69 points in losing 2 of their last 3 games.

Now, let me make it clear that Gary Pinkel isn't busting out any "shooting and fixing." If anything, he acknowledged that his team has plenty to work on. And, furthermore, Missouri's defensive issues aren't even in the same stratosphere as the 2000 Rams.

But, still, the Tigers' flaws shouldn't really be exposed against the level of competition they've played so far this season...with the exception of Illinois.

I disagree with this quote from Jeremy Maclin after Saturday's 42-21 win:

"When Mizzou gets stopped, it’s because Mizzou stops Mizzou."

Offensively, that may be true. But, it'd be unhealthy to think, based on what has been put on display so far defensively this season, that only the Tigers can beat the Tigers.

The Rams were saying the same things in 2000...when it was clear that they were flawed. And, when it ended in New Orleans, it was the defense that did them in.

I want to make it clear, once again, that by no means do I consider the 2008 Missouri defense to be as bad as the 2000 Rams. The difference between college football and pro football is that---with the exception of a few programs...and Missouri isn't one of those programs---one loss ends the dream of a National Championship.

And, I'd hate to see this very realistic, yet potentially once-in-a-lifetime, opportunity be destroyed by the mistaken idea that "only Missouri can stop Missouri."

What do you think? Leave your comments below, or you can email me at tmckernan@insidestl.com.