On the Eve of the Super Bowl, I cannot help but look at the victorious Giants and even the losing Patriots with the jealousy of a fan of a team that has been neither a victor nor the defeated in a worthwhile game in years. Unlike these two teams who always seem to be in a position to contend, the Rams are in a state of flux. It is difficult to look at this team and feel completely hopeless, but it is also difficult to look at this team and feel like there is much confidence. After a season in which the Rams finished with the second worst record in football, there has been talk of them leaving St. Louis for greener grass in Los Angeles or even London. While the second option seems almost unreal and borderline ridiculous, the idea of a return visit to a former home cuts deep into the heart of possibility.
There is also an odd feeling of hope that comes with these Rams. They have the number 2 draft pick in a draft that has major playmakers available such as Justin Blackmon who could represent a wide receiver with the type of enormous upside that the Rams have lacked since the days of Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, or running back who has been graded up there with Adrian Peterson and Darren McFadden in Trent Richardson. Even with a guy like Steven Jackson in place, this is an exciting opportunity for an upgraded offensive plan that could extend into the future. The Rams could even go in a less sexy but more functional direction and shore up a porous offensive line or injury ravaged defensive secondary. Or even better yet, the Rams could trade down a couple spots and fill multiple needs with quality players. The truth is that after picking in the top 2 draft slots for the fourth time in five years, the Rams have talented young players in place who should come into their own at some point in the next few years. That is, if we can be optimistic enough to dream that the likes of Sam Bradford, Chris Long, and Jason Smith can continue to develop and stay healthy enough to find success. Add to this infusion of young talent a head coach who has had plenty of success in the NFL, and the future could potentially look bright for this Rams team.
The only problem with this hope for the future for a St. Louis fan is the comparison to a 1953 Boston Braves team in baseball. It is an odd cross sports comparison, but it is also one that could just fit and painfully for the city of St. Louis. The Braves in Boston were the second love of a city that was enthralled with the Red Sox although they left right before they were given a chance to rewrite history. After leaving Boston with the likes of Warren Spahn, Eddie Matthews, Hank Aaron, and other talented although not Hall of Fame caliber players, the Braves found a championship and pennant in Milwaukee within a few years. The comparison ends here, however. St. Louis does not have another NFL franchise waiting in the wings to follow and love, but the possibility to see a home town team leave town just in time to find success that could only come about after years of stockpiling draft picks because of terrible teams is one that cannot be ignored.
The city of St. Louis deserves better than this from Kroenke. This is not to say that he does not have the right to do with his team as he is allowed by his title as owner. Kroenke is a businessman above all else, and to say that he cannot look for a place where he is able make more profits from his investment is just un-American. As for the city of St. Louis, its destiny as the jilted lover who watches its team find success in a new market that has never known the tough times just seems unfair. St. Louis has suffered through the dark times, and now with the threat of daylight on the horizon, the sun could be ripped right out of the sky to shine somewhere else. I can only hope that someone stops this craziness before it gets to that point.
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