2008 Woodie Awards
Offensive offense on display in Missouri
Erik Johnson
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
"The Greatest Show on Turf" was a phrase coined to describe the St. Louis Rams under the tutelage of Dick Vermeil in the late 90's and early 2000's. After the Rams' Super Bowl championship in 2000, Vermeil retired.
Vermeil resurfaced after a year's absence by trying to take "The Greatest Show on Turf," and put it on grass three hours to the west.
Overall, the move was a success. Vermeil helped make the Chiefs one of the most high-powered offenses in NFL history while Mike Martz led a scoring machine of his own in St. Louis.
Fast-forward six years from when Vermeil took over the Chiefs, and Chiefs and Rams fans alike are wondering what happened to "The Greatest Show on Turf."
The Chiefs rank 29th (out of 32) in total offense, 31st in rushing offense and 31st in scoring offense. Meanwhile, the Rams rank 25th in total offense, 21st in rushing offense and 29th in scoring offense.
The worst thing about these numbers is the fact that it is not likely they will be skyrocketing anytime soon. The Chiefs' offensive line is weak at best, and they lack a sufficient passing game to keep the defense from stacking eight men in the box against Larry Johnson. Add those factors to the unimaginative play-calling of offensive coordinator Mike Solari, and there is a recipe for disaster.
At the same time, the Rams' offense looks like it should be on an episode of "ER." Their all-everything left tackle Orlando Pace is out for the year with a torn labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder. Steven Jackson is out at least two weeks with a partially torn groin, and Marc Bulger is playing with two broken ribs and a badly bruised knee.
With all the negatives piling up on the Chiefs' and Rams' offenses, is their a silver lining? Maybe.
The Chiefs might have a capable quarterback waiting in the wings in second-year man Brodie Croyle. They already possess a top-five running back and tight end, and rookie Dwayne Bowe has shown promise early in the year (especially when runs the wrong route). The main question facing the Chiefs' offense is can they fix the line? Brian Waters is great at left guard, but outside of Waters there are question marks about every other lineman on the Chiefs' roster.
The Rams would probably still have a decent offense if everyone was healthy, but that will not happen for at least another year. Between now and then, the Rams need to decide if Isaac Bruce has officially lost a step (or ten) and if the middle of their offensive line needs improvement. I think the answer to both of those decisions is yes.
After this year is over, both the Chiefs and Rams will have the opportunity to improve themselves in the draft via a high pick. The Chiefs should concentrate on the offensive line (specifically tackle) while the Rams would benefit by upgrading at wide receiver or tight end (Martin Rucker anyone?) to take some pressure off of Jackson, Bulger and Torry Holt.
At least until next year Vermeil will be relaxing on the beach, drinking a fruity beverage wondering what Herman Edwards and Scott Linehan did to "The Greatest Show on Turf."
Vermeil resurfaced after a year's absence by trying to take "The Greatest Show on Turf," and put it on grass three hours to the west.
Overall, the move was a success. Vermeil helped make the Chiefs one of the most high-powered offenses in NFL history while Mike Martz led a scoring machine of his own in St. Louis.
Fast-forward six years from when Vermeil took over the Chiefs, and Chiefs and Rams fans alike are wondering what happened to "The Greatest Show on Turf."
The Chiefs rank 29th (out of 32) in total offense, 31st in rushing offense and 31st in scoring offense. Meanwhile, the Rams rank 25th in total offense, 21st in rushing offense and 29th in scoring offense.
The worst thing about these numbers is the fact that it is not likely they will be skyrocketing anytime soon. The Chiefs' offensive line is weak at best, and they lack a sufficient passing game to keep the defense from stacking eight men in the box against Larry Johnson. Add those factors to the unimaginative play-calling of offensive coordinator Mike Solari, and there is a recipe for disaster.
At the same time, the Rams' offense looks like it should be on an episode of "ER." Their all-everything left tackle Orlando Pace is out for the year with a torn labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder. Steven Jackson is out at least two weeks with a partially torn groin, and Marc Bulger is playing with two broken ribs and a badly bruised knee.
With all the negatives piling up on the Chiefs' and Rams' offenses, is their a silver lining? Maybe.
The Chiefs might have a capable quarterback waiting in the wings in second-year man Brodie Croyle. They already possess a top-five running back and tight end, and rookie Dwayne Bowe has shown promise early in the year (especially when runs the wrong route). The main question facing the Chiefs' offense is can they fix the line? Brian Waters is great at left guard, but outside of Waters there are question marks about every other lineman on the Chiefs' roster.
The Rams would probably still have a decent offense if everyone was healthy, but that will not happen for at least another year. Between now and then, the Rams need to decide if Isaac Bruce has officially lost a step (or ten) and if the middle of their offensive line needs improvement. I think the answer to both of those decisions is yes.
After this year is over, both the Chiefs and Rams will have the opportunity to improve themselves in the draft via a high pick. The Chiefs should concentrate on the offensive line (specifically tackle) while the Rams would benefit by upgrading at wide receiver or tight end (Martin Rucker anyone?) to take some pressure off of Jackson, Bulger and Torry Holt.
At least until next year Vermeil will be relaxing on the beach, drinking a fruity beverage wondering what Herman Edwards and Scott Linehan did to "The Greatest Show on Turf."
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