We have been discussing what moves the Rams will make for what seems like forever, but it’s one thing to talk about it when you know nothing can happen, and it’s quite another when the moment is finally upon you. Will the Rams sign Darren Sproles or Reggie Bush? Will they bring in a veteran receiver like Plaxico Burress? What will they do to address obvious holes at guard, outside backer and safety? How will the rookies fit in with this team, and what kind of impact will they have this season? The questions are numerous, and they have all been discussed ad nauseum, but the difference is now we will finally have our answers. As much fun as it is to write about the Rams every day, I find myself feeling almost giddy about the coming weeks. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I will.

With all the questions out there, one of the biggest involves people like me and you. How does the NFL fan feel about everything that has happened over the last several months? Are you just happy the NFL is back and the season will go on? Are you having trouble finding the love you had for the NFL before the lockout? After hearing about the lockout every day are you just sick of the NFL right now? These are all valid questions that only you can answer for yourself. I, for one, am just happy the season is starting. There are still some hard feelings, but when the ball is kicked off on that first Sunday of the regular season … Maybe when the ball is kicked off in that first preseason game … I won’t be thinking about the lockout.

There were many questions posed here today in this article, but in my mind there’s really only one that truly matters right now. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!?!

“I mean, it is very appealing. I got to watch Sam Bradford just a little bit from afar, and from what I’ve seen he has all the tools to be the next elite quarterback in this league. I know how difficult that position is to play, and I know how many high draft picks come into that position and fail. But it seems like he is on the right track, he is surrounded by Spags (head coach Steve Spagnuolo), being in a great offense, having a guy like Steven Jackson behind him, who I believe is one of the top few running backs in all of football. I mean, he has been consistent ever since I can remember, and to just go to a place that refreshing, and to be with a guy that I know, who I know knows me as a person, knows me as a player and knows how much I like to compete and how much I like to win, I mean, it is a great situation. I have a lot of respect for coach Spagnuolo. We had a great relationship. When he was in New York, and I was playing on offense, and he was calling the plays, and I was always asking coach: ‘What do you got for me today?,’ just always trying to pick his brain and to see his defenses. He is a great football mind, he has surrounded himself with a great staff and he is getting all the right guys around that situation. And like I say, it is appealing, but we’ll see what all happens.”

It sounds like the ball is in the Rams court now, because Plax just said all the right things when it comes to this team. Let me reiterate that I don’t want the Rams to blindly into bringing this guy in, but if he really is more mature and he has the physical skills, I’m 100% on board. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again … I think there’s a chance, if everything went perfectly, that he could be the missing piece of the puzzle.

Moving on to Plax, I thought his list was intruiging, especially considering that the Rams are one of the teams reportedly interested in his services. Instead of copying and pasting his huge block quote, I’m going to run down each point individually and discuss how it affects the Rams.

1. “Well, the head coach is going to be first and foremost,” Burress said.  “It’s going to be somebody to where, well, you know, he has an open door policy, I can walk in his office and sit down and talk to him whether it’s about football or life or whatever that may be.”

Plax and Spags are obviously familiar with each other from their days with the Giants, and by all accounts they had a mostly positive relationship. I have to think that the fact he knows our head coach has be one in our favor.

2.  ”Then, of course, second, it’s going to be a quarterback.  I’m a wide receiver.  I mean, that’s a no brainer.  I’m not going to sit here and say it’s not.”

Another big checkmark for the Rams. Sam Bradford needs a big receiver like Plax, and I can’t imagine he wouldn’t want to have a player like Sammy throwing him the ball. Plax has spent much of his career playing with young, talented quarterbacks, so our situation would be something he would be used to.

3. “And surround myself with guys that are hungry and guys that know how to play and want to win.  I mean, some guys are just happy to go out, get a check, compete, and don’t care whether they win or lose.  Well, I’m not that guy.  I mean, I’m a winner.”

Hmm … I think we are three for three. The Rams showed last season that they are hungry, and the team figures to be even more ready to win this season after getting a taste of success last year. I saw plenty of fight on both sides of the ball last year, and I think this is a team that wants to take the next step.

4.  ”I hate to lose and I’m going to put myself into a situation and put myself into a piece of a puzzle where I’m going to make it complete.”

Is Plax the piece that could make our puzzle complete? I’m not saying he is or he isn’t, but for as long as we have been saying we need a big number one receiver, it sure seems like he could be that guy. Obviously it depends on what he still has left in the tank, but if he’s the player we have seen in Pittsburgh and New York, or even close to that player, we sure seem to be what he’s looking for.