General sports question: what will it take for a head coach to be fired when his team vastly underachieves to the tune of a 3-12 record and the coach is seen laughing and smiling on the sidelines with 3 minutes to go with his team trailing 41-24?
That's the lasting image from Thursday night at the Dome. Something struck Scott Linehan as funny, he shared with a not-too-amused Marc Bulger and then Torry Holt exploded on his "coach" in the aftermath of Drew Bennett being targeted for three consecutive pass plays during the Rams' last gasp for a comeback.
This season, the Rams have been outscored 130-40 in the 4th quarter, which reflects an inability to make adjustments. It's poor coaching. And for whatever reason, Linehan's "beast", Steven Jackson, only received 12 carries even though he rattled off a 36 yard run and had 85 yards rushing in limited work. As a fan of the Rams, I was disgusted to see Linehan smiling about whatever it was he thought was so funny as his team was getting their asses handed to them for the 12th time this season.
Even the Marshall Faulk ceremony was weak. It was nice and Faulk's speech made the entire celebration what it was, but I felt like we were stuck in the 80s as we watched three grown men rolling the jersey banner down by hand, and in a crooked fashion. And the banner? It honestly looked like a group of fraternity pledges painted it at the last second just in time for a philanthropy festival.
There was no spontaneity to the ceremony, no messages from former players and no appearances by former Rams teammates. After his speech, Faulk turned to John Shaw and Shaw awkwardly offered his hand for a friendly little shake, as opposed to a solid man-hug you'd hope to see from the president of a franchise to his one-time cornerstone.
It was almost as if Faulk's ceremony was created by and for NFL Network. Knowing the Rams organization as I think I do, that's probably not far off. By the way, extreme kudos to Roger Goodell for being on hand. That was quite cool and nice of him to do that. I can't picture Bud Selig appearing for an Albert Pujols jersey retirement ceremony.
Bryan Burwell says Torry Holt's tirade against Linehan is a cause for great concern. [STL Today]
Ramblings is positive about the prospects of next year thanks to Steven Jackson and a high draft pick... and I'm positive about that. [Ramblings]
In what could have been his last game at the Dome as a Ram, Isaac Bruce tallied 87 yards receiving and a TD. In so doing, he eclipsed James Lofton for 3rd all time in receiving yardage in NFL history. [SI]
Michael David Smith of Football Outsiders and AOL Fanhouse has the details on Marc Bulger's concussion getting worse thanks to being hit in the head by a football at practice. That sounds about right. [AOL Fanhouse]
In GOOD NEWS, the Blues ended their drought and beat the almighty Red Wings. Kenny will be by later today with the chronicles. [STL Blues]
The D?Angelo Jimenez signing is an offensive upgrade for the Cardinals, in relative terms. [Fungoes]
That's the lasting image from Thursday night at the Dome. Something struck Scott Linehan as funny, he shared with a not-too-amused Marc Bulger and then Torry Holt exploded on his "coach" in the aftermath of Drew Bennett being targeted for three consecutive pass plays during the Rams' last gasp for a comeback. 
Bryan Burwell says Torry Holt's tirade against Linehan is a 
