Already ... Hopelessness

Filed in archive NFL on September 8, 2008

© Monica's Dad

As some of you may have deciphered, EZB is a fan of the St. Louis Rams. As some of you also probably know, they were destroyed by the Eagles, 38-3. And really, it wasn't quite that close.

The Rams were an awful team last year, going 3-13. And no one realistically thought they would beat the Eagles. But no one thought they would be humiliated, either. It is difficult to put into perspective what this type of Week 1 performance does to a fan, much less a team. We spent lots of trying to come up with a clever adjective or phrase that would do it justice. But fancy verbiage does not apply in this case. Only one word really does: Hopelessness.

All the excitement of a fresh season and new beginning? Gone. The chance for redemption from the worst season since the franchise came to St. Louis? Erased in four quarters. The good feelings about the team vanished, and the reality that this team is just as pathetic as last season (if not more so) is hard to grasp. And having to face that reality in Week 1 is equally troubling. Lions fans are known for their pessimism, and it is hard to blame them. But when their team quickly fell behind the Falcons 21-0 on Sunday, they fought back and gave an effort. So they can at least spin it positively, should they choose to. But no one who roots for the Rams can do the same thing.

Surely, fans of other franchises among all sports know the feeling. But knowing that the next 16 weeks are an exercise in futility is a punch in the gut. And just because other people have felt it does not make it easier. Oh well. There's always next year.