Since people are so interested, I figured I’d milk the topic with another post. So, here it goes: My prediction is that Coach Scott Linehan either resigns or is fired this week. *(See revised note/prediction below)*

For the third straight Sunday, the St. Louis Rams were totally embarrassed, with division rival Seattle Seahawks doing the damage this time (final score: 37-13). Coaching changes mid-season don’t happen often, and my prediction is fueled more by wishful thinking than actual conviction, but I just can’t see how the relatively new ownership (they inherited the team from their mother) can allow this travesty to continue.

Before this latest debacle, the Rams had let up a per-game average of 40 points and scored 8 points. They’ve gained 184 yards per game while letting up 482 yards on defense (this week was virtually the same story).  They have highly touted coordinators on both sides of the ball – Jim Haslett on defense and Al Saunders on offense – but I seriously believe the team would lose to many Top 25 Division 1 college teams.

Some of my St. Louis friends and family want Linehan to stay because they think this year is a lost cause and that his atrocious coaching will provide the most likely path to the No. 1 pick in next year’s NFL Draft. But I could care less whether we get the no. 1 or no. 3 or no. 5 pick; One player alone is not going to make a difference, and our draft picks have been awful anyway.

I just want to be able to watch watchable football again … and that’s just not gonna happen with Linehan at the helm.

*[Updated note (9/22): I forgot this next Sunday is the last game for the Rams before their bye week (against the 3-0 Bills, gulp). If any changes are going to be made mid-season, that would be the most likely week to do them. So this is my new prediction: Linehan gets one more game, and then the bye week becomes the bye-bye week as the coach either resigns or is fired.)

The guy totally ruined my day, which is an impressive feat given how much I was looking forward to it. Today, after all, was the opening game in the touch football league I help organize, as well as the first Sunday of the NFL season.

Things started out encouragingly as thirteen New Yorkers played a great game of touch football in beautiful sunny and warm weather. We didn’t have any injuries or any significant arguments, both of which are major accomplishments for our league. And as a bonus, I played pretty well and our team won.

Unfortunately, it went downhill from there as my hometown NFL team got totally smoked by the Philadelphia Eagles. The worst part of the whole performance was how lifeless the team looked from the very get-go. It’s quite clear the coaching staff is in way over their heads, and I think a change could actually help salvage the season if it’s done early enough. The sad performance of the other NFC West teams shows that 8-8 will probably be good enough to win the division and get into the playoffs.

The head coach, a clueless but nice enough gent by the name of Scott Linehan, has had plenty of chances to succeed, and was graciously given another year after a dismal 3-13 season. His teams have been consistently unprepared and outcoached, and it’s clear the players do not have any faith in his leadership.

To me, the last straw was when after 10 straight punts to open the game, Linehan was shown on the sideline clapping enthusiastically when we finally scored a field goal to pull within a mere 35 points. It looked so sad and desperate.

If they do fire him, perhaps I can hire him to run my fantasy team, which also sucked an egg today. But I’m not about to get into that sad story.

• Obama’s acceptance speech: I liked it much more the second time I heard it. The speech won’t go down as one of his best, much less about inspiring the nation and more about drawing a stark contrast with the opponent, but it was written and delivered flawlessly, with at least a few stirring moments. And cheesy backdrop or no, the atmosphere was indeed electric. He’s a rock star, and that’s a good thing, in my opinion.
• McCain picks Palin as VP: I was in mid-flight watching CNN when this news came down and my first thought was ‘Who?’ My next thought was ‘Whoa – MILF!’. In general, I think the pick has the chance to totally backfire on McCain, as it’s become quite clear the vetting process was done half-assed at best. But it also was about the only thing McCain could have done to instill even a trace of the excitement the Democrats have generated in the past week.
• My lesbian (rabbi!) cousin gets married: OK, I think I’m as open-minded as a Midwestern-born boy can be, but even I have to admit it was a bit jarring to see two women in bride dresses walk down the aisle hand in hand. But I will tell you one thing: There was as much or more love and joy during this ceremony than in any other ‘straight’ ceremony I’ve attended. This was indeed something to be celebrated, and it was sooo cool to see the parents of both women embrace and accept what is still seen by many Americans as an abomination.
• Close call averted: Wow, pretty amazing to think that only a couple of years after Katrina, New Orleans almost got hit again. Great news that the storm ended up sparing the city, but I wanted to strangle Michael Moore, listening to him on MSNBC almost gloat over the fact Gustav was threatening the Republican National Convention. Kind of like Sharon Stone implying that China deserved its  earthquake because of the way the government treats Tibetans. Apparently, it’s not only right-wing nuts like Pat Robertson who believe that God delivers ironic political statements in the form of deadly storms and viruses.
• If you go to LA, you gotta visit the Getty Center. The art and exhibits are top-notch but the stunning architecture, idyllic setting, and especially the amazing garden make the site an absolute must-see. Even better: Admission to the museum is FREE, aside from the $8 it costs to park.
• The Republican convention so far: It’s quite fascinating to hear how rarely they mention the economy and how even more rarely they mention George W. Bush — you know, he’s just the Republican who’s been running the country (into the ground) for the past eight years. Pretty illuminating that as soon as Bush’s lackluster, seemingly taped speech ended, the convention moved quickly to a Ronald Reagan video. Ahhh, nostalgia.
• Palin gave a nasty, snarky, but effective little speech last night. She delivered the talk very well, though I don’t know what that says other than the woman can be effective reading words written by someone else off a teleprompter. But she seemed competent and confident and the clever lines did the trick of bringing Obama down a notch or two. However, the speech didn’t do much to tout a specific Republican vision, and I don’t think the negative, biting tactics will fly this time, not with the country flailing and its citizens searching for serious leadership and big ideas.

Ok, that is all for now. I am sooo looking forward to tomorrow night when McCain gives his speech AND the new NFL season kicks off. great stuff!