1998/1999 parrallels 2016/2017

[FrantikRam]

Yep I said it. I'm not saying we're going to be a great team, and I'm definitely not saying that we're going to win the super bowl, but my optimism is growing every day.

The Rams have gone 4-12 twice in the past 20 years - 1998 and 2016.

While we didn't change head coaches in 1999, we brought in an entirely new offense - like McVay has done.

We traded a 2nd round pick for an established star NFL player in Marshall Faulk - this year we traded a 2nd round pick for Sammy Watkins.

Going into the season, our best player on offense was/is a running back - Faulk and Gurley.

Before the trade, we had a star offensive player that seemed like his career might be wasted - Bruce and Gurley.

Warner had no NFL experience and no reason to think he'd be a good QB - enter Goff and how the media is talking about him.

Tavon Austin and Cooper Kupp as your 3rd and 4th WR kind of sort of remind you of Hakim and Proehl, potentially..

Rams signed a stud offensive linemen in the offseason in both years: Timmerman and Whitworth


There is some overlap to some of that, but still - thought it was interesting. Nobody thought we would make any noise in 1999, and while that type of lightning in a bottle is nearly impossible to capture twice, I can't help the growing optimism I feel for this season.

 

[Merlin]

I am with you. There is a clear and definite parallel IMO, and the question really comes down to whether we get the massive improvement at QB first off, and secondly to what extent some of our holdover talent like the OL and weapons like Tavon improve and fit into this offense.

There is definitely enough talent to field an offensive explosion. Question is to what extent. But yeah if all goes well we could see this offense putting out 3-4 matchup problems on every snap. That is some very good territory right there.

 

[fanotodd]

I read the title and couldn't help but smile. I wonder how many of us were thinking it but didn't want to say it...just yet.

"Strong In this one the koolaid runs."
--Yoda

 

[FrantikRam]

The trade for Watkins completely filled up my koolaid glass.

 

[96GS#007]

The equivalent of lightning striking twice, but it does happen. We can always hope

 

[VegasRam]

And IIRC, were 200-1 to win the Superbowl. Vegas Insiders has 'em 175-1.
(@flv - what're you guys at?)

 

[RhodyRams]

And IIRC, were 200-1 to win the Superbowl. Vegas Insiders has 'em 175-1.
(@flv - what're you guys at?)

http://www.ramsondemand.com/sportsbook/super-bowl-52.1612/

 

[Merlin]

The trade for Watkins completely filled up my koolaid glass.

I think we're officially at this point now:

 

[VegasRam]

Thanks @RhodyRams - don't visit the sportsbook much.
@flv - those reflect lines in Great Britian? - they pretty constant the world over?

 

[Merlin]

Oh and BTW how stupid is Kool-Aid leadership for not sponsoring the NFL draft? They would absolutely kill it as sponsor, would be funny as $#!t lol.

 

[RhodyRams]

Oh and BTW how stupid is Kool-Aid leadership for not sponsoring the NFL draft? They would absolutely kill it as sponsor, would be funny as $#!t lol.

I think the negative connotations behind "drinking the Kool-Aid" and mass suicide might play a role in that

 

[ljramsfan]

I have been watching the games from the 1999 season. I am not saying we will be like this team, but the similarities are the same. The offense was embarrassing in 1998, could not run the ball, but had a good pass catcher (Bruce). In 2016, really still could not run the ball, but the pass catchers were not good. The defense kept them in games in 1998 and in 2016 (expect Atlanta)

 

[shovelpass]

I think the negative connotations behind "drinking the Kool-Aid" and mass suicide might play a role in that

That's an unfortunate downside of brand popularity. "Drink the Flavor-Aid" doesn't sound as cool.

 

[CGI_Ram]

 

[Loyal]

I think the negative connotations behind "drinking the Kool-Aid" and mass suicide might play a role in that

Only old guys like us know about Jonestown..lol

 

[shovelpass]

Only old guys like us know about Jonestown..lol

How is old is "old"?

 

[Loyal]

How is old is "old"?

Old enough to remember Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple and seeing that Time magazine cover of the bodies....

 

[shovelpass]

Old enough to remember Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple and seeing that Time magazine cover of the bodies....

I'm not that old, but I know about Jonestown, etc. Have you heard the tapes of Jim Jones preaching right before it all goes down? Eerie stuff. I think that true crime and murder is coming back in a big way with the younger generation (35 and under), there's a plethora of podcasts, books, and shows out. I imagine it was a different experience to live through it though.

 

[SteveBrown]

a couple of j jones leaders knew and still allowed...diaries..