Grant Wistrom seemed to be the
kind of player who could spend his whole career in one place.
The defensive end played his college football at Nebraska, and
was drafted by the Rams in 1998 as the sixth pick overall. After
six productive and winning seasons, Wistrom signed with the
Seahawks on March 4. Wistrom said he always envisioned
being the rare athlete to play from start to finish in the same
city.
Some might ask why Wistrom would leave if he was so happy in St.
Louis. If he was a free agent and had the right to choose, why
wouldn’t he choose to stay in a place he was so happy? The
answer is free agency, money and a perfect opportunity. Wistrom
was wanted in St. Louis as much as he wanted to stay. St. Louis
wanted to keep him, but when push came to shove, Seattle made an
offer that nobody else was even close to.
He signed a six-year, $33 million contract, with a $14 million
signing bonus. That might seem like a lot of money for a
defensive end who has never had more than 11 sacks. That kind of
cash is usually reserved for the high-end pass rushers, but as
Rams’ coach Mike Martz is quick to point out, Wistrom is well
worth the money. Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said
Wistrom’s impact is felt on the field, but perhaps more
importantly, in the locker room.
“Acquiring Grant was a big thing for us,” Holmgren said. “He’s a
good football player. We knew that when we played against him
all of those years. But more than that, he brought an attitude
and a work ethic up above his actual ability that was good for
us.
With as much change as teams undergo in a normal offseason, one
thing will probably never change and that is Wistrom’s approach
to football. “No matter what anyone writes about me, or
how much money I’m playing for, it doesn’t matter,” Wistrom
said. “I’m going to go out there and play the game the way that
I play the game, and that’s hard. Nobody else can put more
pressure on me than I put on myself.”
Injury Report Oct. 7
St. Louis
OUT
CB
Travis Fisher (forearm)
DT Jimmy Kennedy (foot)
DOUBTFUL
QUESTIONABLE
G
Chris Dishman (knee)
LB Tony Newson (ankle)
PROBABLE
RB
Marshall Faulk (shoulder)
CB DeJuan Groce (knee)
RB Arlen Harris (hamstring)
LG Scott Tercero (wrist/hand)
LB Robert Thomas (ankle)
LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (elbow) – added Thursday
NFC West Preview
Capsules
The look of the NFC West doesn’t appear to have changed much.
There are some new impact players in new places, but the power
seems to reside in the same two places it did last season: St.
Louis and Seattle. The Seahawks are the chic pick to win
the division this year, with some pundits going as far as
picking them to win the Super Bowl. The Rams have plenty to say
about that and are the champions until someone knocks them off
the pedestal. Both teams made some key changes in the offseason
and should continue to develop one of the league’s best
burgeoning rivalries. Down the coast from Seattle, the
other two teams in the division are likely to fight it out to
stay out of the cellar. The Cardinals and 49ers both struggled
in 2003 and seem to have done little to improve. Either team
could make a move up the standings, but Arizona is more likely
to do so with the young talent it possesses and the offensive
mind of new head coach Dennis Green.
ARIZONA
KEY ADDITIONS: Coach Dennis Green, Larry Fitzgerald (WR), Karlos
Dansby (LB), Darnell Dockett (DT), Bertrand Berry (DE), Alex
Stepanovich (C), David Macklin (CB).
KEY SUBTRACTIONS: Pete Kendall (C), Jeff Blake (QB), David
Barrett (CB).
WHY THEY WON’T WIN: Quarterback Josh McCown has never been the
starting quarterback for an NFL team for a full season and he
has the difficult task of leading a team with an average
defensive line and skill positions depleted by injury. Without
Offensive Rookie of the Year Anquan Boldin, it will be hard for
the Cardinals to make big plays. He is expected to return, but
his condition when he gets back remains in question. On the
other side of the ball, things only get worse for Arizona. It
will rely heavily on rookies Dansby and Dockett to make an
impact. Berry could help a stagnant pass rush, but he can’t do
it alone. The return of cornerback Duane Starks from injury
should boost the secondary, but he didn’t play last season and
could have lost a step.
WHY THEY WILL WIN: It would take a breakout season from about 15
different players, but there is some young talent waiting to
make in impact. Boldin should help the offense when he returns
and Fitzgerald has sticky hands that make him an instant threat.
New coach Dennis Green brings a new energy and excellent
offensive mind to the fold and the team could win two more games
solely because of his presence. Green is a good coach, but he is
probably not good enough to have a winning record. An 8-8
turnaround along the lines of Cincinnati in 2003 would be a
great accomplishment.
PLAYER TO WATCH: There are a few options here because of
Fitzgerald’s impressive college career, but Josh McCown is
easily the most important figure on the team. He is the
full-time starter for the first time in his young career and has
a huge task ahead of him. Without Boldin for the first part of
the season and the nagging injuries to Fitzgerald, McCown’s
weapons are limited. Further complicating things for McCown is
the lack of a running game. Smith is past his prime and Shipp,
the guy expected to carry the load, is out for the season. If
McCown can prove to be accurate and avoid the pitfalls most
first-time starters face, he could get the Cardinals headed down
the path to more victories.
LAST YEAR: 4-12
SEATTLE
KEY ADDITIONS: Bobby Taylor (CB), Grant Wistrom (DE), Marcus
Tubbs (DT), Michael Boulware (LB).
KEY SUBTRACTIONS: Shawn Springs (CB), Chad Eaton (DT), John
Randle (DT), Reggie Tongue (SS), Lamar King (DE).
WHY THEY WON’T WIN: Seattle’s Achilles heel a year ago was its
middle-of-the-road defense. It went out in the offseason and did
everything it could to improve the ailing unit, throwing money
into high-priced free agents. The additions on defense must
prove to be worth the money spent. If Wistrom continued to
struggle with injuries and Taylor’s age starts to show, the
Seahawks could be in trouble. Tubbs replaced a legend in Randle
and Eaton has been solid for years. If the rookie has trouble
adjusting to the NFL, the Seattle defense won’t be much better
than last year, when it ranked 19th. Chad Brown broke his leg in
the preseason and is out for six to eight weeks.
WHY THEY WILL WIN: Seattle’s offense is one of the league’s most
potent. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck made the leap last year to
one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Despite his “We want
the ball and we’re gonna score” outburst, Hasselbeck proved to
have the moxie and confidence in his abilities to lead the
Seahawks to the next level. Hasselbeck is surrounded with
talent. Shaun Alexander is one of the league’s most consistent
running backs, racking up touchdowns and yards at an alarming
pace. Alexander is in his contract year and could have his best
season to date. Darrell Jackson, Koren Robinson and Bobby Engram
give Hasselbeck plenty of options at receiver. Jackson leads the
group with his ability to make big plays and move the chains.
Robinson is the deep threat and Engram is the third-down
specialist. The offensive line is also talented, led by left
tackle Walter Jones, who rejoined the team Monday after a
contract impasse. With this group, the offense should have no
problems scoring, but can they stop others from doing the same?
PLAYER TO WATCH: It sounds like a broken record, but is this the
year Koren Robinson finally takes the step up to the next level?
Robinson has shown promise in each of the past two years, but
has eventually been overshadowed by the more reserved Jackson.
Robinson posted 65 catches for 896 yards and four touchdowns. It
was his best season, but has yet to reach his ceiling. Last year
a different former North Carolina State receiver made his jump
into the top tier of receivers. His name is Torry Holt. If
Robinson can do even half of what Holt does for the Rams, the
Seahawks will be tough to contend with in 2004.
LAST YEAR: 10-6
SAN FRANCISCO
KEY ADDITIONS: Rashaun Woods (WR), Justin Smiley (G).
KEY SUBTRACTIONS: Jeff Garcia (QB), Terrell Owens (WR), Garrison
Hearst (RB), Jed Weaver (TE), Derrick Deese (OT), Ron Stone (G),
Jason Webster (CB), Tai Streets (WR).
WHY THEY WON’T WIN: The 49ers face many of the problems of
Arizona and more. They lost almost all of their starters at the
skill positions and replaced them with mostly unproven talent.
While the Cardinals’ running game is lacking, San Francisco’s
receivers are the biggest question marks. Brandon Lloyd is the
No. 1 receiver after a rookie year in which he posted 14 catches
and 212 yards, hardly No. 1 receiver numbers. Unless a top
receiver emerges for quarterback Tim Rattay, it will be a long
year for the San Francisco offense.
WHY THEY WILL WIN: The defense has some quality players that can
make a difference. Linebacker Julian Peterson returned from his
contract stalemate and gives San Francisco a playmaker in the
front seven. Ahmed Plummer is a talented cover corner, who helps
lock down his side of the field. Offensively, the one skill
position where the 49ers appear to be OK is running back. Kevan
Barlow has split time with Hearst in years past. With Hearst
gone to Denver, Barlow is officially the man in the San
Francisco backfield. Barlow rushed for 1,024 yards, averaging
5.1 per carry. If he can cut down on his fumbles and continue to
run at that clip, he could contend for a Pro Bowl spot.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Picking quarterbacks is the easiest thing to
do, because they determine a lot of what happens on offense, but
when that quarterback has made limited starts and has been in
the league a relatively short time, it is even easier. Tim
Rattay was an absolute stud in college at Louisiana Tech, where
he put up record-breaking passing numbers year in and year out.
Undersized at 6 feet, Rattay faces a difficult task of helping
the 49ers get back to the successful passing game of their
heyday. His play was up-and-down in 2003 when he replaced
Garcia, but he is being asked to be far more consistent this
year. Without Owens, his best weapon is Lloyd, a second-year
receiver out of Illinois. If Barlow continues his ascent, Rattay
should have more options in the passing game, but all of that
remains to be seen. Former Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey waits in
the wings if Rattay can’t do the job.
LAST YEAR: 7-9
Rams Single Game Tickets Go
On Sale
Do you want to catch the excitement of St. Louis Rams football
as they celebrate the tenth season in St. Louis? Single game
tickets will go on sale Saturday, July 17, 2004 at 10 a.m. by
Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone and Internet.
To purchase single game tickets by telephone call Ticketmaster
at 314-241-1888 or 314-421-4400 in Metro St. Louis; 866-646-8849
in Central Missouri, or 618-222-2900 in Illinois. To purchase
tickets online, visit ticketmaster.com. Tickets will not be sold
at the Edward Jones Dome Box Office or any Ticketmaster outlets.
Single game prices are $51 and $42. Fans may purchase up to four
tickets per game to a maximum of four games. All ticket sales
are subject to convenience charges. For information on ADA
(Americans with Disabilities Act) seating contact the Rams
Ticket Office at 314-425-8830 or 800-246-7267.
Rams Announce WB 11 As Preseason Broadcast
Partner
One of the nation’s top WB
Affiliates, KPLR-TV, has secured the rights to air two St. Louis
Rams games later this summer. The agreement was jointly
announced by WB 11 vice president and general manager, Bill
Lanesey and St. Louis Rams executive vice president and general
counsel, Bob Wallace.
The first broadcast will be a home game against the Chicago
Bears, on August 12 at 7 p.m. The second game is Thursday,
September 2 at 9 p.m. vs. the Raiders, live from Oakland. Both
games will be simulcast on KPLR’s Tribune sister station, KTLA
in Los Angeles. The remaining two Rams preseason games will be
broadcast nationally.
“We are proud to partner with the Rams organization, and we look
forward to presenting the quality sports broadcast that our
viewers and Rams fans have come to expect,” said Lanesey. “This
completes the trifecta, as WB 11 is the local station for St.
Louis Cardinals baseball, Blues hockey and now Rams football.”
“KPLR’s sports broadcasting experience is unparalleled in the
market and we are pleased to join their organization to provide
the best possible coverage of Rams football during our 2004
preseason,” said Wallace. “We thought it was important to be on
television during our 10th anniversary season in St. Louis.”
Marshall
Faulk Featured in 2004 NFL/United Way PSA Campaign
St. Louis Rams running
back Marshall Faulk was in Berkeley Heights, NJ (neighboring New
York City) yesterday to film a television public service
announcement as part of the 2004 NFL/United Way television PSA
ad campaign. Faulk will star in one of nine new ads to air
nationwide this season.
The partnership between the NFL and United Way of America is one
of the most visible and longest-running public service programs.
Since the partnership began 30 years ago, nearly 1,000 spots
carrying United Way’s message of hope and compassion have aired
during NFL games, as well as during prime-time and daytime
programming. The spots will reach more than 120 million viewers
per week. The NFL furnishes the airtime at no cost to the United
Way.
Warner
Released - Did he get a fair shot...?
QB Kurt Warner has been released by the St. Louis Rams.
The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player spent six seasons with the
Rams, completing 1121 of 1688 passes (66.4 percent) for 14,447
yards with 102 touchdowns and 65 interceptions. Warner started
50 of the 53 games he appeared in, including a magical
three-year period from 1999-2001.
In that three-year span, Warner completed 935 of 1392 passes for
12,612 yards with 98 touchdowns and 54 interceptions, winning
both most valuable player awards and leading the Rams to two
Super Bowl appearances, winning a world title in 1999.
In 1998, Warner made the Rams out of training camp after being
allocated by the club to NFL Europe’s Amsterdam Admirals during
the spring. The former Arena Football League standout played in
one game of the 1998 season, completing four passes for 39 yards
in the season finale vs. San Francisco 12/27.
Warner started the 1999 campaign as the backup to QB Trent
Green, and ended the season as the NFL and Super Bowl XXXIV MVP.
Green was lost for the season after being injured in a preseason
game against San Diego and Warner took the reins. Warner rewrote
the Rams’ single-season passing records as he completed 325 of
499 passes for 4,353 yards with 41 touchdowns and 13
interceptions for a 109.2 passer rating, the fifth-highest
single-season rating in NFL history at the time. He led the Rams
to a 13-3 record as well as a Super Bowl XXXIV victory over the
Tennessee Titans.
In 2000, Warner played in 11 games, missing five games with a
broken right pinky finger. He still earned his second straight
Pro Bowl berth, as he completed 235 of 346 passes for 3,429
yards with 21 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He led the Rams
to a second consecutive postseason berth.
Warner again earned the NFL’s MVP honors in 2001, as he became
the sixth repeat winner of the League’s highest honor. The
former Northern Iowa standout completed 375 of 546 passes for
4,830 yards with 36 touchdowns and 22 interceptions for a 101.4
passer rating en route to his third consecutive Pro Bowl
selection. He led the Rams to a franchise-best 14-2 record and
third straight postseason berth, as the Rams won their second
NFC Championship in three seasons.
Warner battled through an injury-plagued 2002 season to complete
144 of 220 passes for 1,431 yards with three touchdowns and 11
interceptions in the seven games he played. He became the
fastest player to complete 1,000 career passes in terms of games
played, doing it in his 47th career game, and in terms of
attempts, doing it in 1,487 tries. He started the first four
games of the season before missing the next five games with a
finger injury. Warner again missed the final four games of the
season after being placed on the reserve/injured list 12/12 with
a hand injury.
In 2003, Warner started the first game of season, a loss to the
New York Giants on the road. Warner threw a career-high 54
passes, completing 34 for 342 yards, his 28th career 300-yard
passing game. Warner again saw action for the final time as a
Ram in the regular season finale at Detroit 12/28, completing
four passes for 23 yards.
Rams’
first-round draft choice RB Steven Jackson says his football
game is like gumbo. Not containing seafood, meat and
vegetables, but it is made up of everything you need to have a
good running back.
“I say gumbo
because it has a little bit of everything,” said Jackson at his
first news conference Thursday at Rams Park. “I think I can
run, catch and block, do the things that are asked of me out of
the backfield from my coaching staff.”
Jackson, the
first running back taken in this year’s draft, and his family
arrived to Rams Park today for the first day of rookie and
first-year mini-camp. Even though most draft analysts had
Jackson being drafted higher on their draft boards, he says he
is more than pleased to call St. Louis his next home.
“I am more
excited to be here than any other place in the National Football
League,” said Jackson. “I ‘d rather be no place than under
Marshall Faulk and Coach Martz.”
Even though he
dominated the college ranks last season, ranking 10th in the
nation in rushing and fourth in scoring, Jackson is fully aware
the NFL is a different monster, and is eager to learn from one
of the best running backs to play the game.
“Coming in my
freshman year at Oregon State, I played under a guy named Ken
Simonton who was up for the Heisman Trophy,” Jackson said. “I
have the same role that I am coming into this year-- coming in
being a student, learning from (Marshall) and learning from my
respective coach, Coach Montgomery. I’m not coming in
thinking I am going to be the man. I know my time will come,
but right now I am here to be a student and learn and take it
all in. Marshall has had a great career and is a future Hall of
Famer. Whatever I can learn from him to add to my game is going
to be unbelievable.”
Jackson had a stellar career at Oregon State University. The
two-time All-American carried the ball 743 times for 3,625 yards
and 39 touchdowns, and added 66 catches for 680 yards and six
touchdowns in his three seasons at Oregon State. His 4,545
all-purpose yards rank second in school history, and he is also
second on the school’s all-time scoring list with 276 points.
His 3,625 yards rushing rank 10th in the Pac-10 Conference
annals, and he ran for more than 100 yards in 19 contests. As a
senior he led the conference in rushing (1,545 yards), scoring
(132 points) and all-purpose yardage (2,015).
“The rookie
wall I hear is the thing that is the toughest to deal with,”
Jackson said. “Of course the speed of the game is going to
change. It’s going to get faster. You are going to play with
guys who are the best at their positions in the world. I am
preparing myself physically and mentally for a long grueling
year and hopefully we can make a run at the Super Bowl.”
“Actually,
reality just hit me, that now I am a part of the National
Football League,” Jackson said. “Saturday, I got the phone call,
my name was called across the television, but it really didn’t
hit me. I just kept thinking that I was still in college, and I
wasn’t a professional yet. Holding up the jersey makes me very
proud and lets me know that all of the hard work has paid off.”
Now it’s time
to get to working on that gumbo.
DRAFT OVERVIEW - Jeff Smoker
Position: Quarterback
College: Michigan State
Height: 6-3
Weight: 223
Hometown: Manheim, Pa.
Remarkable reclamation project who emerged as one of the
nation's elite passers in 2003 under the guidance of quarterback
guru, head coach John L. Smith … To say that Smoker was "reborn"
with the installation of the new spread offense would be an
understatement … He not only re-established himself on the
football field, but also away from the game … Smoker was
suspended for the last five games of the 2002 season after
admitting to a substance abuse problem. He participated in
spring drills but was not allowed to compete for the starting
job, but the coaching staff saw a player rededicated to the game
and gave him one last opportunity to prove that, when he was
named the starter prior to the 2003 season opener … He plays his
best when the game is on the line and has a knack for making
things happen because he remains cool under pressure … He became
the first quarterback in MSU history to reach the 3,000-yard
passing milestone in a season in 2003 … "
Positives: Has a slender frame, but shows good body structure
with the potential to add additional bulk … Has defined legs and
calves, broad shoulders and good upper-body strength … Made good
improvements in 2003 in his pass setup, displaying a better
ability to set his feet and step into his throws … Also refined
his throwing motion (from three-quarters to overhead), which
decreased the windup that he showed in his delivery in the past
… Shows very good velocity on his short and intermediate tosses
… Improved his play-calling ability and appears much better
poised when pressured … Adequate moving in and out of the
pocket, showing a good feel and anticipation for the receiver's
breaks … Decent scrambler who can throw on the run.
RAMS AND NFF TO HOST 2004 COACHING ACADEMY
3rd annual event to be held at Rams Park on June 18 and June 19
The St. Louis Rams and the St. Louis Chapter of the National
Football Foundation (NFF) will host the 2004 Coaching Academy at
Rams Park on Friday, June 18th and Saturday, June 19th, 2004.
Now in its third year, the Coaching Academy is designed to
elevate the quality of coaching of youth and high school level
athletes.
Football coaches at all levels (youth, middle school, junior
varsity and varsity coaches) are invited to attend a two-day
clinic at Rams Park. This extraordinary opportunity includes
personally meeting prominent coaches from all levels of the game
and learning tactics and strategies for both on and off the
field. The curriculum to be covered will include the following:
Coaching Philosophy
Football Skills and Strategy (offense, defense,
special teams)
Player Communication and Feedback
Life Skills Development
Health/ Safety/ Nutrition
Risk Management
Program and Team Management
To download a registration form, please click here or call
314-516-8710. Registrations will be accepted on a first
come---first served basis.
Coaching Academy Schedule
Friday, June 18
3:30 p.m. Registration
4:00 p.m. Welcome - Bob Bunton, President,
St. Louis Chapter NFF/CHF
4:15 p.m. Keynote Speaker-
Mike Jones, Former St. Louis Ram
5:00 p.m. Dinner and Tour of Rams Park
6:00 p.m. Coaching Fundamentals
*Player demonstrations of fundamental techniques
with coaches from Kirkwood and Duchesne High
Schools
7:30 p.m. Hospitality - Questions and Answers
Saturday, June 19
8:00 a.m. Coffee and Rolls; Late Registration
8:35 a.m. Life of the Coach -
Larry Kindbom, Washington University
9:05 a.m. Strength and Fitness Training -
Kevin Kenny - Parkway North High School
10:10 a.m. Defensive Organization -
Tom Lansing, President, Gateway Football
11:05 a.m. Offensive Organization -
Scott Niebert, Coaching Director, Arnold Football
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Coaches Round Table - Four Levels of Football
*Ray Agnew, St. Louis Rams
*Larry Kindbom, Washington University
*Ed Velten, Ladue High School (retired)
*Bob Bunton, Youth Football
2:00 p.m. On-field Coaching Sessions for Participants
4:00 p.m. Evaluation - Larry Kindbom
4:15 p.m. Closing remarks - Bob Bunton
Rams Compensatory Draft Picks
The Rams entered the off-season with only four choices in the
April 24-25 draft, but that total has been doubled after the
team was awarded four compensatory picks by the NFL for the free
agents they lost last year. The highest pick is at the end of
the fourth round, as compensation for the departure of
cornerback Dre' Bly. The Rams will receive four
compensatory picks in the April 24-25 draft for losing free
agents last season. A total of 32 picks have been awarded. The
Rams will gain one fourth-round pick, one sixth-round pick and
two seventh-round picks. The fourth-round pick will be the
second from the end of round, after a compensatory selection by
Philadelphia. It is the 130th overall pick in the draft.
The Rams' sixth-round pick will be the fourth from the end of
the round and 201st overall. The two seventh-round choices will
be the fourth and fifth from the end of the round, 237 and 238
overall. Compensatory choices can't be traded.
Moran comes
back for more
The St. Louis Rams have
signed DE Sean Moran. Moran, 6-4, 275, signed a
one-year deal with the Rams, coming back to the team he played
with from 2000-2001. In his Rams’ career, Moran collected 42
tackles (16 solo) with four sacks, one pass defensed, one fumble
recovery, and 13 special teams tackles, while playing in 31
games with four starts. After spending the last two seasons with
San Francisco, Moran will enter his ninth NFL season in 2004.
For his career, the Colorado State product has played in 121
games, starting 13, and has notched 152 tackles (91 solo) with
10.5 sacks, three passes defensed, two interceptions, one forced
fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Moran was originally a fourth-round draft pick (120th overall)
by Buffalo in the 1996 NFL Draft. After playing four seasons for
the Bills, Moran played for the Rams for two seasons and the
49ers for two seasons, and now returns to the Gateway City for
his second stint with the Rams.
Rams sign "3rd string" QB Chandler
The St. Louis Rams have agreed to terms QB Chris Chandler and S
Rich Coady, the team announced today.
Chandler, 6-4, 224, agreed on a three-year deal with the Rams
after being released by Chicago on Friday, March 19. Chandler
spent the last two seasons with the Bears, starting 13 of the 17
he played in. Last season, Chandler completed 107 of 192 passes
for 1,050 yards with three touchdowns and seven interceptions.
The University of Washington product will play his 17th NFL
season in 2004, and his second season with the Rams, as he
started six of 12 games played for the Los Angeles Rams in 1994.
While the Rams officially state that Chandler is to fill the 3rd
string opening - we all know what this means - either someone is
throwing big numbers at Bulger or Warner is on the way out.
Turley
Welcomes NCAA Wrestlers
On March 17, the St. Louis
Rams Kyle Turley joined with wrestling legend Dan Gable and
actor Billy Baldwin to welcome participants and fans to the
Division I NCAA Wrestling Championships being held in St. Louis.
Turley, who has become one of the best tackles in the NFL, first
developed his tenacity on the wrestling mats of California where
he earned all-state honors in high school.
During his speech, Turley credited the sport of wrestling for
much of his success in football ---a sport that he didn’t begin
until his senior season in high school.
After only one season on the gridiron, Turley landed a
scholarship to play football at San Diego State where he emerged
as one of the nation’s top collegiate prospects and became a
first-round draft choice of the New Orleans Saints in 1998.
This past season --- his first with the St. Louis Rams ---
Turley made an immediate impact on the field helping the Rams
win the NFC West. Off-the-field, he and his wife, Stacy, have
embraced the St. Louis community and lent their support to
several community and charitable initiatives.
NFC
beats AFC in Pro Bowl 55-52
MVP Marc Bulger
threw a Pro Bowl-record four TD passes, and Detroit's Dre' Bly
returned an interception 32 yards for the go-ahead score with
4:50 to play during the NFC's rally from an 18-point deficit in
the final 13 minutes of a 55-52 victory over the AFC.
"It's going to be tough to match, if I make it back in the
future," Bulger said. "We have all kinds of playmakers out here.
I knew Dre' Bly was going to make a play. They made plays when
they had to, and for me to win the MVP is special. The
quarterback is a reflection of the team, and everyone deserves
it."
The 25th straight sellout crowd at Aloha Stadium loved this
thriller, with both teams' millionaire players giving their all
for the paltry $35,000 won by each victor.
Defense always takes a back seat in this game, but never to this
degree. With 42 points in the helter-skelter fourth quarter, the
teams easily topped the 82 total points scored in 2000 (51 by
the NFC, the previous team high) -- and they set another record
with 1,022 total yards, including 300 in the fourth quarter.
Manning threw a 10-yard TD pass to Hines Ward with 1:54 left,
and after Bulger threw an end-zone interception, Manning led the
AFC into scoring territory. But he was sacked with 4 seconds
left, and Vanderjagt barely missed for the second time in his
three attempts Sunday.
Bulger, an injury replacement for Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb,
led the comeback after sitting out the first half.
League co-MVP Steve McNair, who started but got just four plays,
was in his first Pro Bowl after nine NFL seasons. Kansas City
quarterback Trent Green and St. Louis kicker Jeff Wilkins waited
10 years for their first trips to Honolulu. NFL rushing champion
Jamal Lewis scored a touchdown in his first game.
Torry Holt
caught seven passes for 128 yards and a score.
The
Report
Ram Nation News
Bears
@
Chiefs
Redskins
@
Raiders
Cardinals
@
Falcons
Saints
@
49ers
@
Seahawks 
Buccaneers
@
Dolphins
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Faulk Featured in 2004 NFL/United Way PSA Campaign
