Honestly, I became a believer a bit earlier than that.
Offseason seemed unusually awesome. Martz, Timmerman, and the FAULK trade. And I was psyched for the Holt pick, knew he'd be a stud. Thank GOD they jettisoned Banks.
Trent Green was tearing it up in preseason. Only 4 incomplete passes, he went 38 of 42 before he went down. Offensive starters in preseason looked AMAZING. Really thought the Rams had something special. Then when Green went down, I thought, "aw shit, the Rams curse strikes again."
Vermeil's tearful press conference gave me hope though. The new offense was so amazing... maybe if this Warner guy was decent, we could go 8-8 for the first time in a decade? Maybe? Maybe?
The Ravens opener was AWESOME. Warner was so composed!!! Like an established vet! 3 TD passes! And we won COMFORTABLY!
Next week we went up 28-0 on the Falcons before coasting to a 35-7 win. KW as NFC player of the week with 3 TD passes AGAIN. Was this a dream?
The next week is when it all clicked in and I became a believer. 38-10 over the Bengals on the road, yet ANOTHER blowout victory. Hakim with 3 catches for 3 TD's and 78 yards. KW on the cover of SI with the "Who IS this guy?" title.
Before the Niners game I had some butterflies of course. What was it, 17 straight losses? But I felt confident we were the better team... we just had to prove it.
Anyway... what a glorious beatdown that day. So wonderful to see Ike overwhelmed with emotion.
99 Rams were the greatest sports season ever. Nothing can compare.
They should make a Hollywood movie about it!