The hot topic around the NFL doesn’t have to do with child abuse, domestic battery charges or any other kind of physicality taking place off the field for once. It is centered around where the St. Louis Rams will play in 2015. If it will be in St. Louis or in Los Angeles. The plot thickened considerably this week when Randy Karraker unleashed a zinger on his sports show, 101.1 ESPN’s The Fast Lane, that he had heard from sources that the deal has been sealed on the Rams leaving St. Louis. He didn’t name particular sources or go into detail, but he said it’s done and they are gone.
The NFL threw a reverse pass into the mix when they announced the 2015 Draft will be held in Chicago and NOT L.A., bringing some doubt to the idea that the West Coast would be making some big announcement. Karraker did note that the decision to move out of St. Louis will be saved for after the Super Bowl is over with.
What do you do with these two rumors/announcements? Chew on them and spit them out when you have taken all the flavor away. Look, there is a lot that can happen between now and February, where the Super Bowl is played. A lot of pins can drop and needles can weave through certain areas of the league. I trust Karraker to not throw something out there unless he knew his sources were golden and there was no extra fat hanging from the rumors, but he is also a radio show host who is trying to drive listeners to his station and away from other outlets. A radio show host’s first job is to drum up some noise and let the people dissect the truth from the bullshit.
The league putting the draft in Chicago could have been part of the plan, unless they are thinking about adding a few Rams to the pack of Bears roaming the city. I am not sure there is enough melodrama for Jay Cutler and another quarterback in that windy city.
My best advice is to simply enjoy the Rams while they are here. It is out of the fans control. They have shown up for a long time here in St. Louis. They still find a way to sell out that dome even when the team plays bad or embarrasses themselves on a football field. They have chased the dreamy memory of The Greatest Show on Turf for over 10 years now and still haven’t seen it reappear. Watch the team this season and let the suits work the future out.
Governor Jay Nixon needs to put his foot into the race and ask other powerful men in this state to drum up a fight to keep the Rams here. Mayor Francis Slay can make cool Cardinals videos but how active is he in keeping the Rams here. Local businessman with a big wallet need to step forward. Someone has to pick up the mantle of leadership and take control. In short, someone needs to really care or I can see the team moving out of the city.
The dome is on a year to year lease starting next season. Anything can happen then. Take no hope from the face or business minded history of owner Stan Kroenke. He wants to make money. He doesn’t care about winning here. If the dollar bills become less green here and he sees some seeds out in LA, I doubt he thinks with his heart. That’s not the way businessmen work. That is the cold hard truth.
The Rams could move, but for now, just enjoy them while they are here. That is, unless you have a couple hundred million to fork over for a new stadium to be built. If you have connections with the city politicians and have the headache and stamina to push a deal through. If you have that kind of time, money and strength, please step forward.
If not, just sit back, turn on the television on Sunday and watch the Rams play. It is out of your hands right now.
The fate of the Rams in St. Louis will be decided by the governor, mayor and business savvy souls in St. Louis. Or at least I like to think so.
When it comes to teams, stadiums, and the futures of franchises, it’s hard to think with your heart over somebody else’s wallet.
So, where will the Rams play in 2015? Unless real information comes into play between now and February, I see the Rams playing football here in St. Louis next season. That is my honest opinion. While powerless, one can still look ahead and place a wager. As I tell everybody who goes to the doctor worried about their health, don’t worry until it’s really time to worry. The same rule applies here with the Rams and down the road.
Thanks for reading and enjoy some football this Sunday.
