Earlier today, Jim Haslett addressed the media for the first time since being named interim head coach. Some things he had to say:
"This kind of sprung on me at 1:15 in the morning." Really? You had no idea the coach would be fired? Or is that to say you thought you'd be fired too?
"I always thought a second time head coach, if you look at the track record, are better coaches because of the experiences they went through the first time." We certainly hope so.
"We're going to do the best we can to try and turn this thing around."
ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports Marc Bulger will very likely be reinstated as the team's starting quarterback, though he says it's still "unconfirmed".
Scott Linehan is the first head coach to be fired mid-season since November 2005, when the Lions dismissed Steve Mariucci. Both the Rams and Lions have much in common in that both organizations are run horribly. With Linehan now out, the players -- namely Bulger, Steven Jackson and Torry Holt -- have no more excuses. If there is one thing we can count on with Haslett in charge, it's that the Rams should have plenty of motivation, both from their new head coach and internally; the idea of winning to spite Scott Linehan might be an overriding factor for the rest of the 2008 season.
As for what the future holds at Rams Park, Jay Zygmunt needs to be canned at the end of the season. Rumors are swirling that Dan Dierdorf might be hired in some executive capacity, but that scares me after witnessing the last lineman-turned executive stink up Detroit. If the Rams want to win back the city and the fans, three things have to happen in the offseason.
1) Fire Zygmunt
2) Hire Marshall Faulk for something
3) Hire a head coach who has a proven track record in discipline, defense and special teams. The names Bill Cowher and Marty Schottenheimer are definitely appealing, but the odds of Cowher coming here are pretty much zero. As much as I hate to say it, Marty Schottenheimer would be a good fit to rebuild this crumbling franchise.
Hey, I'd rather choke in the playoffs then never choke at all.
Oh, you can add "cut Drew Bennett" to the list of deeds for Rams fans. In fact, cut him now.
As for what the future holds at Rams Park, Jay Zygmunt needs to be canned at the end of the season. Rumors are swirling that Dan Dierdorf might be hired in some executive capacity, but that scares me after witnessing the last lineman-turned executive stink up Detroit. If the Rams want to win back the city and the fans, three things have to happen in the offseason.
