First of all, let’s get something out of the way before we get into the meat of the issue. The Rams aren’t going to be moving to London. I heard that a few times today, and I know Roger Goodell is all about expanding the NFL overseas. Still, it makes absolutely no sense to move a franchise in England on a permanent basis. It just wouldn’t work logistically, so until we develop the technology to instantly transport ourselves from one place to another, it’s not going to happen.

Now, on to the major issue. I have been adamant in my belief that this team is staying in St. Louis, but even I am concerned about a move to Los Angeles after this announcement. I know Stan Kroenke has a connection to London because of his soccer team, but I can’t shake the feeling that the NFL is trying to globalize the Rams in preparation for their move to LA. The Rams have been one of the worst teams in the NFL over the last several seasons, so why would the league want to have them as their representative in Europe over the next three seasons?

Maybe the Rams, because of Kroenke, are the only franchise to step up to make that trip on a consistent basis. I don’t know. All I know is, if you were going to move a franchise which has been one of the worst in the league recently to one of the biggest media markets in the world, a strategic play like this to “grow the brand” would just make all the sense in the world. I’m not saying the Rams are moving, but I am saying I’m much more concerned now than I was 24 hours ago.

While everything I said above is certainly true, the bye week also offers a glimmer of hope for even the most disappointing teams. During the offseason every fan thinks his/her team has a chance when the season begins, and I kind of feel the same way about the bye. We might be 0-4, but there’s still that feeling deep inside of every fan that something magical is going to happen during the week when the team doesn’t play. It might be foolish, but I still feel that small sliver of hope. I know that reality is probably going to strike me down hard and fast when St. Louis takes to Lambeau Field to face the defending champs, but for now I need this. Hey, at least we here is the Gateway City still have the Cardinals.

Those of you who have been fans of the organization for a long time will no doubt remember the saga of Eric Crouch. Crouch was a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at the University of Nebraska, and the Rams made him a third-round pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. The team planned to move him from quarterback to a receiver/kick returner, but Crouch saw himself as a quarterback and a quarterback only, so he retired from the NFL. Crouch popped up in a few different places over the next few seasons, but he never achieved any amount of success at any of his stops. Well… He’s Back!

It was announced today that Crouch has signed a deal to play quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL. For those of you keeping track at home, this will be his first taste of pro football since 2006, when he had a short stint in the Canadian Football League. Yeah, I’m sure this is going to go well.

In all seriousness, as far as the UFL goes, the Nighthawks have a pretty impressive group of signal-callers battling for playing time. Joining Crouch will be former Georgia star DJ Shockley and Jeremiah Masoli, the troubled Oregon QB who transferred to Ole Miss after getting kicked off the team by Ducks coach Chip Kelly. Crouch will certainly be an attendance draw back in the state of Nebraska, where he is a legend who will be in the hearts of every Huskers fan for now and for always. As far as Rams fans go, let’s just say no one is going to be lining the streets for a parade if Crouch eventually makes his way back to the Gateway City.