kenpersons

I hate them. I will forever hate them, I will forever hate the Rams as well. I hope the NFL finds a way to keep them both on our schedule as often as possible, because I hate them and we should play them.

It's very objective to pick them as a prime contender for the number one pick in the draft after this season: they are a team in shambles, and Dennis Erickson has yet to prove his worth as an NFL coach.

That said, if Tim Rattay gets healthy or Cody Pickett blossoms, I like their chances to win games they shouldn't.

Rattay was a witch in college. You can say it's the system, but he took the lowly La Tech Bulldogs into Nebraska and almost stole one, did he not? The guy has the guts of a winner.

Pickett, in his own way, is ahead of the game. I read a scouting report on thehuddlereport.com that intrigued me. He's a rodeo guy, has been most of his life, and has amazing reflexes and instincts. The report brought up the theory that he might have been playing the college game too fast for his own good. If that theory holds true, he should blossom in the NFL.

As for the rest of the team, Brandon Lloyd and Rashaun Woods will make an excellent WR duo, Kevan Barlow is an outstanding young runningback, and their D has some true playmakers in Carter and Peterson (assuming Peterson signs).

So, yes, it makes sense to think they won't win more than four games. However, I wouldn't be shocked if they gelled and won 8 or 9, if they play their cards right.

But then, I'm not only a Saints fan, I'm a Mississippi State fan, so finding sources of hope in bleak scenarios comes natural to me.

[Edited on 2/7/2004 by kenpersons]