Super Bowl LIII
Rams have had
a revolving door since loss to Patriots in 2002
Meanwhile, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are still here and they’re going for their sixth NFL title in the rematch Sunday.
Steven Jackson, a three-time Pro Bowl running back during his 12 NFL seasons, experienced the turnover with the Rams and briefly enjoyed the Patriots way.
A Rams selection in the first round of the 2004 draft, Jackson had eight consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons while in St. Louis. But he didn’t appear in a playoff game after his rookie year until he signed with the Patriots late in the 2015 season.
Jackson scored his only career playoff touchdown in the AFC championship game against the Broncos. The Patriots haven’t lost a title game since that one.
“I played for six of those coaches,” Jackson said. “The turnover, I had to endure that and then to end my career in New England and see the longevity and how well they know each other, you could see why they’re successful.
“You could see why they know what plays to call, what (Brady) runs well, what the other defensive unit runs well because they have the continuity there, they haven’t had a lot of change and they run the same offense and defense still.”
Between Kurt Warner and Jared Goff, the Rams went from Marc Bulger to Case Keenum. Sam Bradford was supposed to be the answer when he was drafted No. 1 in 2010.
But Bradford never had a winning season and was traded to the Eagles for Nick Foles in 2015 after tearing his ACL two seasons in a row.
Players such as Gus Frerotte, Chris Chandler, A.J. Feeley and Sean Mannion have started for the Rams over the last 17 seasons. Even Trent Green came back and lined up under center one more time for the Rams in 2008 after his injury in 1999 opened the door for Warner to begin his Hall of Fame career.
Coaches included Mike Martz, Jim Haslett, Steve Spagnuolo and Jeff Fisher.
The Rams had a revolving door until Sean McVay took over as coach in 2017 and led them to consecutive NFC West titles with Goff, the No. 1 pick in 2016.
McVay marvels at the Patriots’ accomplishments over the last two decades.
“When you look at these guys and what they’ve done in terms of consistency, where that’s really the truest measurement of performance, and nobody’s done it better than they have over the last handful of years, that’s why you have so much respect and appreciation for them,” McVay said.
Brady certainly has evolved since leading the Patriots to an upset over the “Greatest Show on Turf” version of the Rams for his first Super Bowl championship. At 41, he relies more on his wisdom and knowledge.
“The preparation is different but in some ways it’s easier for me because I’m very efficient in what my routine is,” he said. “When I was a young player you’re studying, you’re watching tape but you don’t really know what you are looking for.
“Now I have a plan every time I want to sit down and study, how to understand an opponent, how to understand coverages, how they work and how to put together a plan with (offensive coordinator) Josh (McDaniels) that we can have confidence in. I was so naive as a young player. I’m probably a little less naive now but I still love the competition. I still love trying to win. It’s the first love of my life and I’m still enjoying it now.”
Brady has always credited his longevity to his rigorous training with Alex Guerrero. He insists he’s playing beyond this season and wants to keep going until he’s 45.
“A lot of work that has been done with Alex over the past 15 years has given me that opportunity, and I feel like that’s something I owe myself to see how I can keep pushing the envelope because it is uncharted territory, and when you’re in uncharted territory, you are trying to prove things to yourself too,” Brady said.
“I’m very confident in my routine. I feel great this time of year. There’s nothing I’m dealing with, and part of it is being in a good place mentally and physically.
“The reality is I don’t think many people thought I would be playing like this, even though I had a great belief that I would.”
PREVIOUS ARTICLE
