LA Rams We-not-me? Run it back rings awfully hollow right now

When the LA Rams won Super Bowl LVI, there was so much jubilation, euphoria, and excitement in the city of Los Angles and the fans of the LA Rams worldwide that it felt as though the honeymoon would never end. These LA Rams had overcome adversity, injury, COVID-19, both coach and player defections, and trades that nearly bankrupted their 2022 NFL Draft, and yet this team had persevered.

The streak of NFL success was undeniable. The team had never had a losing season behind roster-building mastermind Les Snead, or the football playbook guru Sean McVay. The LA Rams had finally been the last NFL team standing, after five seasons and four NFL Playoff berths.  The city of Los Angeles could finally honor the Rams as Super Bowl victors.

This was a team that had fought together, played together, and forged a bond through it all that became unbreakable. This was a team with the front office, coaches, and players celebrating their combined success, pledging to regroup and make another run to double down by winning Super Bowl LVII.

That was one helluva parade.

United we stand, divided we…

The entire team seemed to be unified in the glory and camaraderie of the moment. It was the culmination of the standard-bearers: DL Aaron Donald, OT Andrew Whitworth, P Johnny Hekker, and the 2021 veteran reinforcements who included: OLB Von Miller, RB Sony Michel, and WR Odell Beckham Jr.

It took a little bit from everyone who stepped foot onto the football field to pull the victory off.  The LA Rams even got vital help from formerly retired defensive back Eric Waddle, and backup safety Nick Scott, to pull out some victories. But as the celebration died down, the partying ended, the confetti and loud roars subsided and hangovers, brooms, and hoarseness descended upon the crowds, reality began to set in.

Magic wears off. Defensive back Eric Weddle returned to his retirement. 16-year starting offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth joined him. But the real challenges were about to surface, and we have to sit back and wait to see how it all plays out.