1. Kurt Warner – As a Rams fan since 1970, I came to learn that there was one word that you missed out on being a Rams fan compared to say, being a Packers, Cowboys, or Steelers fan through the years - WINNING!!! For years I sat through Jerry Rice taking a 5-yard slant and running the remaining 90 yards for a touchdown. And I watched as Terry Bradshaw called a play that had NEVER WORKED IN PRACTICE, the "60 Prevent Slot Hook and Go," and executed it with a perfect strike to John Stallworth to lead the Steelers to a win over the then Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 14. Then one day in 1999, as the Rams were playing the Chargers in a "meaningless" preseason game, a cheap shot by my most hated DB ever who shall remain nameless because he doesn't even deserve to have it mentioned, took out the new QB Trent Green. So into this "meaningless" game comes an unknown QB out of Northern Iowa, Kurt Warner, and 6 months later the Rams and coach Dick Vermeil were hoisting the trophy for SB 34. Without that "meaningless" preseason game, the Rams don't play against what's his face, what's his face doesn't take a cheap shot (one of many in his career) on our QB, and Kurt stays on the bench for like, ever.

2. Fred Russell - The unknown running back is drawing rave reviews for his training camp and game day performances with his quickness and ability to make plays. Coach Scott Linehan said of the 5’7” back, "I think Fred's really shown that he has a unique running style and kind of a knack for it. He's hard to find. He's one of those guys that gets behind the linemen and the guys don't know where he is, and he comes popping out of there. He's one of those guys that have been a real pleasant surprise for us. We didn't know much about him because he was in Europe (NFL Europe) during the off-season. He's really had a nice camp and I've been very happy on what he's been able to do."

So don't tell me that preseason games are meaningless. Big freakin deal that we lost to the Texans yesterday – the preseason is not about winning or losing, but about finding the unknowns that take you to the next level where winning does matter. And 6 months from now, when the Rams are once again raising a SB trophy, we'll look back on this "meaningless" preseason with one word in mind - WINNING!

Until next time....

GO RAMS!!!!

~BeaverRam~