It's been a while since I wrote my first diary back in July of '07, which if you read it should give you plenty of ammunition against any prediction I might ever make again.  Since I'm leaving for a very comfortable new home on the other side of the Earth in about 24 hours,  I thought it might be worth it to get some perspective from everyone.

  In three seasons, we've gone from a team with hopes to a team of jokes.  Coming off of an 8-8 season, the Rams had reason for optimism.  It seems like an eon ago.  Now, we're saddled with excuses, injuries and tenuous prophecies of future Ram stars.  Not an inspiring trio.  Still, I have cause to believe.

  If we can fall so far in so short a time, we can rise just as quickly and beyond.  Sure, there are players on the team that inspire us from time to time.  We know the names.  They're the few who avoid our weekly/daily/hourly/constant berating, and for good reason.  What really inspires me though is this community.  It's not that our dedication to the Rams makes them any better.  It does, however, make them much more bearable.

  Being a Rams fan in the south is brutal.  I'm surrounded by SEC fans and NFL fans of successful teams every year.  It's tough.  (Especially since I went to UNT, who appropriately is on par for futility with the Rams, although we have one hell of a stadium being built soon.)  Despite the hostility of so many south-tards who know so little about football and yet cling to such successful programs or franchises, I have a sanctuary of knowledgeable compatriots who share a singular goal: a competitive Rams team.

  Van has his statistical analyses and segues.  TackleBox and taiko have been two voices of even-keeled temperament that help turn Overreaction Monday into Semi-Rational Tuesday which leads to Partially-Reasonable Wednesday which inevitably becomes Optimistic Thursday.  CoachConnors and VTRamsFan, the elder statesmen of optimism, provide an all-to-rare sense of true significance when it's most needed.  There's the entire starting team of edpjr, james535, Carneros, TrojanRam, ram_rod, loyal2therams, AbsolutMoose, bruinfanbaby, CaliRamMan, Nbr1RamFan, stlcardinalsfang, jb22 and WaZuP cReAtOr along with a slew of people whos names escape me that contribute in so many ways to TST.  So consider this a bit of a promise.

  I promise that when I return around October of 2010, I will be as dedicated of a Rams fan as I have ever been, regardless of how many rehabilitated fair weather Steelers fans I come across.  I swear to follow the Rams until, during and after our next Super Bowl victory.  And I promise to make every effort to continue to be a part of this community despite my deployment.

  Sure, I have bigger priorities: mission and family, in that order.  But as long as those two are good to go, I'll make time for TST, because this is more than football.  And one day, we'll be thankful.

And in case this is required reading for the Rams cheerleaders, I expect to see Michele around July.  Make it happen, Devaney...

Holler at your boy.

More photos » by Jay LaPrete - AP

USC standout WR Damian Williams could be one of the top receiving prospects if he declares.

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  In my last two boards (DT & QB), the polls asked for, nay, demanded a WR board.  And so thee demand, so the k provideth.  Or something like that.  While it might not be the most apt board for the Rams, given the talent coming out in the 2010 and 2011 drafts at WR, if you ask, you receive.

  For reference along with my two earlier boards above, here's my most recent mock.  A * denotes underclassmen, and either a small 'd' denotes that underclassmen has already declared himself eligible for the 2010 draft or a 'u', as you could guess, means they haven't yet declared.  Oh, and Terrance Tolliver, LSU, isn't on my board because I'm guessing he doesn't declare until the 2011 draft.  Without further adieu-ishness, here's my WR board as it stands right now...

1 - Dez Bryant*^d, Oklahoma St. (MTD)

  In case you don't hit that MTD link, it's worth re-posting: Dez Bryant has humongous hands.  In addition to the paws, Bryant has top level agility, which is why he's been on return duty for the Cowboys.  He does exhibit lapses (whether it's mental or effort can be debated), and his route running could be improved, but his raw talents (strength and speed), hands and size (6'2", ~215 lbs.) make him my top WR.

  Reminds me of: Terrell Owens

  The rest of the board after the fold.

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More photos » by Michael Dwyer - AP

Georgia Tech's Jonathan Dwyer scampers for a 43-yard touchdown run against Boston College. Should the Rams consider drafting him to back up Steven Jackson?

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  The last full weekend of college football's regular season is upon us, although it's not really just a weekend sport anymore.  Ball State downed Western Michigan on Tuesday, and Texas escaped College Station with their championship push intact after defeating Texas A&M last night.  Some thoughts on those games and some stuff from around the college game after the fold.

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More photos » by Jeff Curry - AP

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  I'm going to leave these on the front to make sure any dissidents see them.  Let's jump right in...

QB: C-

 - You can fault the Oline for not giving him the space to work.  You could fault the quality of the receivers for not getting open.  And you can fault the inexperience of Gibson and Avery for a lack of timing or "clutch" in the red zone series near the end of the game.  Still, Bulger threw inaccurate passes when they were most unacceptable, and he certainly didn't put the team on his back for a last gasp drive.

HB: A-?

 -This was the most unpronounced 116 yd, 1 TD game by Steven Jackson I've ever seen.  Maybe that makes it the most impressive.  Outside of bouncing a run up the sidelines for 48 yards, Jackson pounded the ball for 3 yards into the heart of the Cards' D all day.  You can fault the playcalling and the Oline, but you can't fault Jackson.  He's incredible.

WR/TE: B-

 - The combination of Avery and Gibson produced just behind what Fitzgerald and Boldin did.  That deserved a hand given the protection Warner and Leinart were given.  Still, they each had a shot at a TD reception that would have opened the door for a game-tying 2-point conversion, and they both failed.  On one hand, it's great to see them producing something at the WR position; on the other, it's tough to see them drop the ball, literally and metaphorically.  I for one am anxious to see Laurent Robinson on the field with these two.  The tight ends were nonexistent - decent blocking that made no effect on the running game, and two catches for 19 yards by McMichael.

O-line: D+

 - It would be too easy to credit them for stepping up the game late; this unit suffered for three quarters, and, more blatantly, were absolutely dominated in the first half.  This was a serious setback for a line that had been improving for weeks.

D-line: D-

 - Ignore Chris Long's sack and the shared sack between James Hall and Leonard Little; this group was embarrassed by Arizona's Oline for much of the game.  Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells combined for 184 yards on 28 carries at a 6.57 yard per carry clip.  IMO, more than a QB, this team needs DT and DE help to be a contender.  Without it, you're asking the secondary to do too much.

LB: B-

 - They made tackles.  Laurinaitis finished with a team-high 16 (ridiculous), Vobora chipped in 6 and Grant added 3.  They covered relatively well given the quality of the passing offense they were facing.  The problem was on the D-line - you can't expect LBs to hold coverage for as long as the Dline was giving Warner and Leinart.

DB: A-

 - Be surprised, but you can't argue how well the Rams limited the Fitzgerald-Boldin combo given how much time Arizona's QBs had.  The secondary stepped up big time in the second half, especially in the 4th quarter.  I'm starting to worry if I can keep my optimism in check if we add a slew of defenders to this team in the offseason.

ST: A

  - Amendola has earned return duties in 2010, hands down.  He's got the vision to do so.  Josh Brown is aging, but since the opening game against Seattle, he hasn't been a problem.  Donnie Jones is a Pro Bowler.

Holler at me.

Alright, boys. Here's how it works. I wear the hat. That makes me the coach. You all have perfectly styled hair according to the standards of the day. That makes you football players. Oh, don't look so sad, Jimmy! If you listen and work hard, one day you might get a hat of your own.

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 It's back to the projector, TSTers.  Today, we're going to look at the offensive line, some run blocking basics, Jason Smith and what makes Pro Bowlers different than albino bowlers.  Not that I have anything against albino bowlers, but I don't see why they should have their own action figure and the great OTs in the history of the NFL don't.  Just saying.  Oh, and Sandra Bullock.

  I smell... I smell a projector.  A playbook projector!  KA-BOOM!

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  What's good, RotBers.  I wanted to stop by from Turf Show Times and answer any questions you guys might have ahead of our game this weekend.  You guys have a great community here.  Andrew's from this morning on who you would grab from the Rams is a great discussion to have.

  In any case, hit me up with any questions you have about the Rams.  This first year of the Spagnuolo-led Rams has been a tumultuous one, but it certainly has its bright spots and has slowly fostered some optimism among Rams fans for our future.  Hit me up.