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Even if Bulger rebounds, what should Rams fans expect?
- The Story
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I’m one of those Ram fans that has reluctantly concluded that the NFL is a quarterback driven league. I used to be among those that said if you built great offensive and defensive lines, got a running back and played defense, you could win. I defended this position by noting that guys like Trent Dilfer, Bob Griese and Brad Johnson won Super Bowls. You can still win that way, but you can’t win big.
Just look at the Super Bowl winners lately. Ben Roethlisberger twice, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, a mature Tom Brady. Aside from winning Super Bowls, the common denominator among those quarterbacks is that they’re exceptionally competitive. If you’re in a close game in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter, don’t you just know those guys are going to win the big game?
This brings us to the Rams Marc Bulger. Between 2003 and 2006, he put up numbers that would rival the big boys. He made a couple of Pro Bowls. His career completion percentage rivaled Kurt Warner and Chad Pennington for the best of all time. His passing yards were, on a per game basis, literally the best of all time. Did he provide those comebacks? Sometimes. There was a great one in Chicago in 2003, the magical miracle of Qwest Field in 2004,
the playoff win in Seattle that season, and the stirring first win in Washington
last season.
More times than not, Bulger…for various reasons…hasn’t been able to stage comebacks on a regular basis. And in the last two years, as the team has crumbled around him, Bulger has had horrendous seasons. Thanks to colleague Bernie Miklasz, we glean that in the last two seasons, Bulger is 37th in the NFL in touchdown percentage (2.7%), 34th in interception percentage (3.4%), 39th in yards per attempt (6.25 ypa), 37th in completion percentage (57.7) and 38th in passer rating (70.9). Those, to me, are astounding statistics.
If the offensive line and the running game are fixed, I have little doubt that Bulger can rebound to post solid numbers in the future. But if he starts leading comebacks and lifting the team on his shoulders to win games, that’ll be something we haven’t seen from him to this point. Think of the way Brady, Eli Manning, Warner and Roethlisberger have played in the closing minutes of the last two Super Bowls. They’ve all led their teams to late touchdowns to take the lead or win the game. I’m rooting for Bulger, but have my doubts that he can do that. Can we really expect him to accomplish things he has yet to accomplish in seven seasons as a starter in the NFL? I’d love to say yes, but I can’t.
- It rocks!
- Its just stupid.
- Its SPAM.
- Its offensive.
- Nevermind.
Frenchy 409 Days ago- It rocks!
- Its just stupid.
- Its SPAM.
- Its offensive.
- Nevermind.
randyk Staff 409 Days agoNov 10, 2002 Outscored S.D. 14-0 in 4th, won 28-24
Dec. 15, 2002 Trailed Az. 28-27 in fourth, won 30-28
Sept. 14, 2003 Trailed S.F. 17-14 entering 4th, won 27-24 in OT
Nov. 9, 2003 Trailed Balt. 22-21 entering 4th, won 33-22
Nov. 16, 2003 Trailed @ Chi. 14-10 entering 4th, won 23-21
Nov. 23, 2003 Trailed @ Az. 27-24 in 4th, won 30-27 in OT
Sept. 12, 2004 Trailed Az. 10-9 entering 4th, won 17-10
Oct. 10, 2004 Trailed @Sea 24-10 entering 4th, won 33-27 in OT
Jan 2, 2005 Outscored Jets 8-3 in 4th, won 32-29 in OT
Jan 8, 2005 Trailed @ Sea 20-17 in 4th, won 27-20 (overtime)
Oct. 1, 2006 Trailed Detroit 34-30 in 4th, won 41-34
Nov. 26, 2006 Trailed @ S.F., 17-13 in 4th, won 20-17
October 12, 2008 Trailed @ Washington 17-16 in 4th, won 19-17
As I did above, I credit Bulger for his numbers. Of his 40 career wins (40-47), he has 13 4th quarter comebacks. And, by the way, he's 10-39 in his last 49 starts.
In regards to Warner, in his first three seasons, he didn't have the chance to stage as many 4th quarter comebacks as Bulger pulled off. The team was always ahead in the 4th quarter...so you're working with faulty stats. Here's one more statistic for you...after those nine 4th quarter comebacks in his first three seasons as a starter, Bulger has had four in the last four years. In those years (2005-2008) The Rams have lost ten games by six or fewer points. He's 4-10 in the last four years when he has a chance to rally the team.
So I don't feel bad about the blog. If you believe Bulger can lead a team up and down the field like the guys I referenced, I have no problem with that. I just don't share that opinion.
- It rocks!
- Its just stupid.
- Its SPAM.
- Its offensive.
- Nevermind.
randyk Staff 409 Days ago- It rocks!
- Its just stupid.
- Its SPAM.
- Its offensive.
- Nevermind.
Frenchy 408 Days agoI think it's premature to dismiss Bulger just yet. All you have to do is look at how poorly Warner was playing before the Rams let him go, and see how well he is playing now as your precedent. Let's wait and see how he plays this year. I agree that this may be his last year in St. Louis to show he can still do it. If he stinks this year, and there are no mitigating reasons, I will not complain if the Rams seek a different solution.
p.s. One criticism of the show. The promos for "The Fast Lane" says that it's a show that talks "with" the fans and not "at" the fans. However, I've tried to call in several times and not been able to get through. Also, I rarely hear callers on the air, except for the "I'm Just Sayin'" segment. Could be bad timing on my part. If your show doesn't take callers, perhaps you should change your promo.
What do you think?
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