Can Haslett Do It?

In two days the Rams open their training camp, and the 
depression of winter is brushed away in an instant. Rams 
football is back.

Training camp is a long process, as all fans know.  It 
is time to evaluate rookies and free agents and re-evaluate 
veterans coming back. I was excited when Jim Haslett signed 
on to be our defensive coordinator last year. I also realized 
he had a lot of work to do and things to learn about the 
personnel he had acquired.

I did not envy him in his new role, I almost pitied him. 
One of the first articles I wrote for Planet Rams, was 
"Stop the Run". The Rams did a horrible job of that last 
year. But, I have faith. Rams fans always have faith at the
beginning of a season, and this one is no different.

If you look at Hasletts' past coaching records, one in 
particular stands out. When he was the defensive coordinator 
at Pittsburgh in 1997, they were number one in the league 
against the rush that year. I'm not saying that he can make that
happen this year, but it gives me hope.

With the draft, acquisitions and the veterans all pulling together,
and learning Hasletts system, they should be much improved
this year.

So Rams fans, can Haslett do it? Have faith and patience Rams
fans, I think he can.

"See you on the hit side" #21

~Cromwell's Corner~

A TRUE RAMS FAN IS GONE

This article is a little different than my usual defensive slant on the Rams.

In 1973 when I was in 8th grade in Dayton Ohio, a new kid moved to town. My friends and I were playing football one Saturday when the new kid showed up on his bike. He watched us play for a while and then followed us home.

We began to talk about music, sports etc... the typical things that 13 year old boys talk about. During the conversation we both found out that our favorite Pro team was the Rams. What a great thing to have in common especially in Ohio. We instantly became friends.

When we played pick up football games in high school and even later in life, we took on the names of our favorite Ram. He was Jack Youngblood and I was Nolan Cromwell.

When the Rams moved from L.A. we started to go to St. Louis every year with other friends for at least one game. I got a hold of two tickets for the NFC championship game the year the Rams won the Superbowl and I knew exactly who I was going to take. We loved the city of St. Louis, the people and the fans as well as staying at Lacledes Landing.

Every year we went made us feel like we were 13 again.

My good friend, David Gregory Lewber passed away on 6-28-07. He was buried in his autographed Jack Youngblood jersey on 7-3-07.

My friends and I are still planning to go this year to a game, but it will be different since Dave won't be with us.

A true Rams fan is gone.

"See you on the hit side" #21


~Cromwell's Corner/Randy Riffle~