Rams Fans Need Patience – Becoming Great Takes Time

Things don’t always come in our time. As a fan we want our team to be great. We want it now. But titles or greatness don’t always come via the effort of our team or from the desire of the fans.

Take Deacon Jones. His professional career with the Rams began in 1961. During his first three years the Rams won a total of 9 games. The next 2 years another 9 games. Think about anything you have done for 5 years. Think about anything you’ve done for 5 years that amounted to an abysmal failure. It’s tough to move forward. It is super easy for those outside the bubble to give up. But it also takes a toll on those in the trenches. It takes a toll on the athlete who feels greatness deep inside.

Sam Bradford is coming into his third season in the NFL.  He landed a huge rookie contract and in his first season he looked like the answer to the Rams prayers.  2011 came and the Rams who were expected to win the NFC West ended the season at a disappointing 2-14.  Suddenly, the sunshine turned to dark clouds for Mr. Bradford (and we are all back to our prayers).  It’s hard to know what to expect from him in 2012, but it wasn’t until year 6 that Deacon Jones helped bring the first winning season to the (Los Angeles) Rams in 10 years. The Rams would go on and achieve winning seasons for the next 14 out of 15 years. Year six would also see Jones going to the Pro Bowl.

Jones went to the Pro Bowl for the next 5 straight years (Jones also went to the Pro Bowl in 1964 and 1965 for a total of 7 straight Pro Bowl nods with the Rams. Toss in 1 more with the Chargers for a career total of 8 Pro Bowl selections.).  So to the now St Louis Rams… to Sam Bradford… stand tall and don’t give up. Greatness takes time, but you can get there.