Linehan finds out what no r-e-s-p-e-c-t means in league
So the Scott Linehan era is over, and the only surprise is that it ended before the curtain closes on the Lane Kiffin era in Oakland.
Linehan deserved to go for two reasons: 1) Through four games there was no improvement in the NFL's sorriest ballclub, and 2) players didn't respect him. Both combined to convince the St. Louis Rams to do what they should have done months ago.
There have been numerous reports that players didn't like him, but big deal. That doesn't bother me. I'm not sure how many players liked Bill Parcells, either, but they respected him and played hard for him and never got themselves in the position that St. Louis is in today.
So that's a non-issue.
Respect is not. If players don't respect a head coach, he's a dead man, and the evidence was there last week in Steven Jackson's comments about the Marc Bulger demotion. Not only did Jackson say it was a bad move, he also suggested Bulger might not return to the starting lineup if asked.
That sounds like the beginnings of a mutiny, and the Rams had to do something to defuse it.
Well, now they have, and the time is right. They have a bye, which means they have two weeks to get used to their new head coach. It's not an enviable task that lies ahead of Jim Haslett, but there is talent on this team.
I'm not talking San Diego Chargers talent, but there's enough to make them competitive -- which they were not under Linehan.
I think what bothered me most about the final chapter in Linehan's career in St. Louis was how the Rams played Sunday. At first there was a pulse, with the team jumping to an early lead over Buffalo. But by the fourth quarter the Rams were dead, making stupid mistakes, missing tackles, misfiring on passes, you name it.
They had to know they were playing for Linehan's job, yet they responded with another underwhelming effort. In short, they were the same doormat we have come to mock the past month.
So enough already. Do something about it. Make a move. The Rams did, and hallelujah.
