Eugene...
Eugene...
enjoy reading your write-ups here and at another site....but I have to say it doesn't look like you have done your homework here. Raiders may have a good record in the first week of Pre overall but they were 0-2 under callahan last year (both on the road). Also, the Rams 0-4 record in the pre last yr sets them up in a great angle opening as a DOG in their 1st game this yr. Lastly you might want to read the local papers regarding Martz's take on this game. While I agree with you that the Raiders will be looking to atone for Superbowl loss and the Rams have some depth problems right now, the Rams have the more motivated coach this go around. This is from the St Louis Dispatch:
<<Rams HC Martz ``Oh, it matters (pre season games). Trust me, whenever you put the game uniform on, it matters,'' Martz said. ``You trot in the stadium, and it matters. You are trying to win any time that you compete at anything, and we're absolutely trying to win it. We want to play well and win, but you try to do it with guys that are in there.'' >>
That's good enough but look at this:
<<?Former Rams coach Dick Vermeil used to say that exhibition football games don't count, but do matter. For current Rams coach Mike Martz, there's an addendum: Some years they matter more than others. Given those issues, plus the number of young players being worked into the two-deep roster, one could argue that this is the club's most important preseason since 1999.
Martz wasn't saying for sure, but there were indications that Rams coaches did more game-planning than usual for the Raiders, although not nearly close to what they'd do for a regular-season game. Martz also had a bit of a "game face" on as the week progressed at camp in Macomb, Ill. - although, again not nearly what might be the case in the regular season. For example, when asked how much the starters would play against Oakland, he reacted as if he were being asked to divulge state secrets?>>
And finally....
<<Martz.... ?I think you like to win all of these. You want your guys to play well and win, but you want to win with the guys that are in there. Whoever?s in there you want them to play well, but I want to win all four of these.?>>
I can guarantee you that Callhan's statments are much more passive than these. Coming off a terrible year Martz seems to be looking to get back on the winning track. Bulger will be playing mid thru 1st into the 2nd half. As long as the Rams OL can hold they should do some damage.
Just an FYI....
Fade4Six
