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That was probably one of the most deflating games I remember watching.RamFan503 said:Painful to relive. And probably one of the best examples of why I had a problem with Big Game Bulger. Sorry and I really don't want to start a Bulger bashing thread. Just sayin'
RamFan503 said:Painful to relive. And probably one of the best examples of why I had a problem with Big Game Bulger. Sorry and I really don't want to start a Bulger bashing thread. Just sayin'
kurtfaulk said:RamFan503 said:Painful to relive. And probably one of the best examples of why I had a problem with Big Game Bulger. Sorry and I really don't want to start a Bulger bashing thread. Just sayin'
i love how he threw holt under the bus for that last interception he threw. saying stuff like the db made a hell of a play and wanted the ball more.
what really happened was that instead of putting the ball in front of holt, from maybe 10 yards away, bulger put it on his back shoulder giving the db the chance to intercept it.
.
Holt is held to just two catches
By Jim Thomas
Post-Dispatch
01/10/2004
By almost any measuring stick, this has been a season to remember for wide receiver Torry Holt. He led the NFL in both receptions (117) and reception yards (1,696 yards), and scored a career-high 12 touchdowns in the regular season.
All of which made Saturday's performance all the more surprising. Playing against his home-state Carolina Panthers, Holt registered season-lows in both catches (two) and reception yards (21) in a 29-23 playoff loss by the Rams at the Edward Jones Dome.
"It's tough," Holt said. "You learn from it, and regroup, and just come back next year."
While teammate Isaac Bruce prospered, with seven catches for 116 yards in his first full game back since suffering a high-ankle sprain Dec. 14 against Seattle, Holt and quarterback Marc Bulger never really clicked.
"We weren't quite in sync as we normally are," Holt said afterward in the St. Louis locker room. "I can honestly say that. I can honestly say that we weren't quite there."
Why?
"I can't explain why," Holt said. "I can't give you the reason why. But it is what it is. We have to deal with it and move on, and just wait till next year."
Holt nearly made a spectacular catch on a slightly overthrown deep ball from Bulger midway through the third quarter. Holt pulled the ball in with his left arm, took a couple of steps, but couldn't hang on to the ball. What would have been a 66-yard TD pass fell to the turf incomplete.
The Rams were moving late in the first overtime period when a Bulger pass to Holt was intercepted by Carolina rookie cornerback Ricky Manning Jr.
"It just seemed like (Bulger) held on to it a little bit long," coach Mike Martz said. "But the 'DB' did a good job taking the ball away. That was a critical play, because we were getting in position to kick the field goal."
The Rams had a first and 10 at the Carolina 38 on the play, which took place with just over a minute remaining in the first overtime. Not only did Holt have position on Manning, Holt appeared to have the ball, until Manning made an aggressive break and came up with the interception.
"Torry and I had a clear lane," Bulger said. "The guy was behind Torry. I thought, worst case, it would just be broken up, because he had to go through Torry to get to it. But he made a great play."
Injury update
After missing the last three games of the regular season with a torn groin muscle, middle linebacker Robert Thomas didn't make it through Saturday's playoff game unscathed. Thomas aggravated the groin injury in the fourth quarter and was replaced by Jamie Duncan.
No 4-1-6
In what probably was an effort to strengthen their run defense, the Rams junked the 4-1-6 defensive alignment they had used in nickel and dime situations during the final four games of the regular season.
The Rams went with just five defensive backs when the Panthers put in extra wide receivers Saturday, moving Aeneas Williams up to cover the slot receiver and bringing Jason Sehorn off the bench to play free safety.
Ram-blings
The Rams finished minus 2 in takeaway-giveaway ratio Saturday. In all three of their playoff losses since moving to St. Louis, the team has finished minus 2 or worse. In all five playoff victories, they have finished the game minus 1 or better.
Carolina snapped the Rams' 15-game home winning streak during the 2000 season, and snapped the Rams' 14-game home winning streak Saturday.
Running back Marshall Faulk tied a Rams playoff record with nine receptions against Carolina.
Username said:Doesn't really seem like he's throwing him under the bus to me if this is what you're talking about.
Holt is held to just two catches
By Jim Thomas
Post-Dispatch
01/10/2004
"Torry and I had a clear lane," Bulger said. "The guy was behind Torry. I thought, worst case, it would just be broken up, because he had to go through Torry to get to it. But he made a great play."
brokeu91 said:I'm still pissed off that Martz took the field goal and didn't try to win the game in regulation. That game still pisses me off to no end. God damn it, I'm getting pissed again just thinking about it. That was an emotionally draining game.
brokeu91 said:I'm still pissed off that Martz took the field goal and didn't try to win the game in regulation. That game still pisses me off to no end. God damn it, I'm getting pissed again just thinking about it. That was an emotionally draining game.
zn said:kurtfaulk said:RamFan503 said:Painful to relive. And probably one of the best examples of why I had a problem with Big Game Bulger. Sorry and I really don't want to start a Bulger bashing thread. Just sayin'
i love how he threw holt under the bus for that last interception he threw. saying stuff like the db made a hell of a play and wanted the ball more.
what really happened was that instead of putting the ball in front of holt, from maybe 10 yards away, bulger put it on his back shoulder giving the db the chance to intercept it.
.
When did he say that? To be honest I don't remember that. Holt was facing Bulger on that play, it wasn't a back shoulder throw.
The game that directly impacted Martz' decision making was in 2002 against the Redskins. Rams were down 20-17 with 15-20 seconds left, no time outs with the ball inside the 5. Chip shot FG to tie, but Martz wanted one last shot at the TD. Warner got sacked, fumbled and the Rams lost.zn said:brokeu91 said:I'm still pissed off that Martz took the field goal and didn't try to win the game in regulation. That game still pisses me off to no end. God damn it, I'm getting pissed again just thinking about it. That was an emotionally draining game.
Yes IMO that one was one DUMB decision.
My view is that Martz was not very good at "reading" his team or assessing situations and contexts.
He did not catch that his team had a hot hand at that point. They had roared back and were clicking. 2 scores within how many minutes? Including all this great third and 4th down passing.
He didn't sense that. Or failed to grasp what it meant.
That's what I think anyway.
I would concur that you have what Martz' mens re was at the time and what nightmarish experience promted it.Ram Quixote said:The game that directly impacted Martz' decision making was in 2002 against the Redskins. Rams were down 20-17 with 15-20 seconds left, no time outs with the ball inside the 5. Chip shot FG to tie, but Martz wanted one last shot at the TD. Warner got sacked, fumbled and the Rams lost.zn said:brokeu91 said:I'm still pissed off that Martz took the field goal and didn't try to win the game in regulation. That game still pisses me off to no end. God damn it, I'm getting pissed again just thinking about it. That was an emotionally draining game.
Yes IMO that one was one DUMB decision.
My view is that Martz was not very good at "reading" his team or assessing situations and contexts.
He did not catch that his team had a hot hand at that point. They had roared back and were clicking. 2 scores within how many minutes? Including all this great third and 4th down passing.
He didn't sense that. Or failed to grasp what it meant.
That's what I think anyway.
I have no doubt Martz was thinking about that game when he decided to take the tie and OT.
But I agree. The real Martz should have gone for the win.