Holy cow!  Did that just really happen?  Don’t let the 31-21 score fool you.  The game really wasn’t that close.  Saints QB Drew Brees threw a garbage time TD to WR Lance Moore to extend his 35 passing TD game streak – and maybe for his fantasy owners.

The baseball Cardinals fresh off their incredible team of destiny win in the World Series were honored and in attendance as the game started.

What in the world happened out there today?

The Rams defense kept the Saints’ first 7 series to: Punt, missed field goal wide left, punt, punt, punt blocked, INT and punt.  They had the Saints shut out going into half time.  Plenty of people did their double take as they checked out the ESPN score boards.

Just because the first win is so beautiful...

1. The running game got back on track with some great blocking from G Jacob Bell, TE’s Lance Kendricks and Mike Hoomanawanui.   
2. RB Steven Jackson benefited from the improved blocking by putting up 159 yards off of 25 carries resulting in 2 TD’s.  He also contributed to the passing game with 4 receptions for 32 yards.
3. LB James Laurinaitis and DE Chris Long finally emerged as the defensive leaders.  Laurinaitis wreaked havoc all over the field with 10 sacks, 1 sack, and 2 tackles for losses.  Chris Long scored a sack hat trick beating up on Saints Charles Brown to take down Saints QB Drew Brees.
4. Robert Quinn stepped it up! 3 QB hits and one monstrous sack.  He’s starting to show off his burst off the line there.
5. Surprise stars of the game: CB’s Josh Gordy with an INT.  And Darian Stewart did him one up with a pick 6 in the 4th quarter to seal the game.
6. Rams QB A.J. Feeley quietly had a decent game after a rough start.  Finished the game 20/37 with 175 yards and 1 TD.  His QB rating of 75.8 narrowly beat out Saints QB Drew Bress (QB rating= 73) who three 30/44, 269 yards for 1 TD and 2 INT’s.
7. Welcome to St. Louis, Brandon Lloyd. The WR came through with some critical catches (and some untimely drops but we’ll just glance over that for now) to move the chains down the field.  6 catches for 53 yards and his first TD as a Ram.
8. The game wasn’t without the usual Rams penalties but when you win those aren’t as glaring.

We’ll have the next few days to bask in the glory of the Rams first win but that’s today’s game in a nut shell.

The 5-2 New Orleans Saints are headed into town Sunday to face off with the Rams. Don’t think for one minute they will be merciful as evident in their 62-7 smack down of the equally winless Indianapolis Colts last week. The head coach Sean Payton will not show any compassion. So much for being saints, eh?

I cannot even begin to imagine that the score will be come 4:00pm Sunday afternoon. What’s your over/under on how many points the Saints will score on the Rams.

Someone from Connecticut told me there is a 50 point rule in high school football. If a team beats their opponent by 50 points then the coach of the winning team can’t coach the next week. That’s one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard. But this week that might have come in handy for the Rams. Sean Payton may not be on the sidelines to call all the plays but he’ll be surveying from the coaches’ booth.

Rams Offense

Looks like for a second week in a row back up QB A. J. Feeley will be leading the team. Sam Bradford, still nursing a bad high ankle sprain, will not be able to help his team on the field.

OT Jason Smith is out indefinitely with a concussion and neck injuries so veteran Adam Goldberg will start in his place.

This is just purely conjecture on my part but even if Bradford was well enough to play I would have kept him out of this one. Why let your franchise QB get pummeled in a game where you don’t really have much of a chance. Let him rest, recover, and then think about going against the Cardinals next week.

I fully expect RB Steven Jackson to have a good game and pretty much be the Rams offense. Just hard to see the Rams passing game doing more than the usual dink and dunk with some dump passes and screens – especially with WR Danario Alexander being doubtful with an injured hammy.

Look for WR Greg Salas and Brandon Lloyd to pick up some extra receptions with DX’s absence. Speaking of WR’s, Mark Clayton will most likely be out with a sore Achilles’ tendon. Maybe this could be a good opportunity to get Austin Pettis back into the WR rotation. Or it might be nice to see more of TE Lance Kendricks. Remember him?

Rams Defense

DT Darell Scott (concussion) and LB Brady Poppinga (calf) did not practice this week and will be out this Sunday. CB Justin King (groin) is questionable. And tell me if you’ve heard this one before: (newly signed) CB Brian Jackson was placed on IR – yes, you heard right. Yet another CB on IR. Rams expect DE C.J. Ah You (wrist) and CB Marquis Johnson (newly activated from the PUP) to return against the Saints.

QB Drew Brees and his arsenal of WR’s will be more than happy to pad their statistics and help their respective fantasy owners this week against the Rams secondary. (Too bad I don’t have any of them…) But the one to really keep an eye on is their TE Jimmy Graham.

As the Saints top receiver, Jimmy Graham, has 45 completions on 66 targets for 674 yards and 5 TD’s. The most telling stat though could be the 233 YAC though – that’s 1/3 of his total yards. Standing at 6′ 6″ he’s a match up nightmare for any of the Rams defensive players.

The Saints running game took a hit when their rookie RB Mark Ingram was ruled out of game with a heel injury. Look for the spryly RB Darren Sproles to take his place in the starting line up with a touch of the big guy Pierre Thomas to change things up.

Rams Special Teams

RB Darren Sproles is listed as both the Saints kick and punt returner. So with him taking over the starting running duties I’m not sure how much he’ll be involved in the return game. Then again he could be on Energizer Bunny mode and hurt the Rams from two facets of the game.

With all the red zone troubles the Rams continue to have they may be relying on the right foot of K Josh Brown again this Sunday – that’s assuming they can get into field goal range.

Who will win

No surprise here folks. The Saints beat the Rams in a not-so-close game: 45-10. Rams fall to 0-7.

Today officially marks the end of the excessive heat warnings we’ve had all week in St. Louis.  I haven’t left the house much in fear of melting into the asphalt.  The heat was so unbearable a little birdie decided to seek shelter in my garage the other day when the door was left open.  But unfortunately, the sweltering temperatures got the best of him and passed away.  RIP little one.

But when one door closes (bad news) another one opens (good news).  I’m hearing this morning the players have more or less agreed to terms and if all goes as planned they will be meeting in D.C. tomorrow to vote.

Mike Freeman is reporting:

The new proposal stipulates the league year starts on the fifth day after the agreement is ratified, I’m told by a player source. Training camps cannot start until seven days after agreement is signed by both parties.

So we are still over a week away until camps start.

It’s slow but it’s moving forward.  Looks like this will be the last week of the lockout.

Then just when we thought it was safe…

1) I think I’m not even going to address the “You-know-who” un-retirement rumors.  I defer them to @sports_muse.  Next item!

2) I think the Fab Four’s play to squeeze out what they could from this last leg of the CBA really bit them in the butt.  Then again, was it really them or the lawyers?  Drew Brees and Peyton Manning were just trying to get what they could while Logan Mankins and Vincent Jackson may have had real reasoning behind their demands.  They felt like they got screwed last year and was trying to recoup their loses.  That being said…

3) I think the some of the players were unhappy that those four tried for a personal cash grab.  Don’t think so?  Then just check out what Vikings punter Chris Kluwe had to say:

Vikings Punter  Chris Kluwe

Personally, he just said out loud what I’m sure others were thinking but didn’t have the cajones to come public.  That and I admire the fact he stood behind his tweet.  No, “my account got hacked” crap or “it was taken out of context” backpedalling.  Good for you, @ChrisWarcraft.

4) I think the possibility of a Saturday double opening for free agency and training camp is going to crazy fun for the teams, coaches, and writers.  Isn’t this what we’ve all been waiting for?  Some scribes have already resigned to the fact that they won’t be getting much sleep once free agency starts.  As they say, be careful what you ask for – because you just might get it – and not necessarily in the way you thought.  Words to live by the next time you whine about something you don’t have.

5) I think we will see which teams/coaches have done their homework.  If rumblings are correct, deals have already been worked out for the top free agents and should go quickly.  Kevin Kolb to Arizona is a poorly kept secret.  I’m sure Nnamdi Asomugha has his ducks all lined up as well.  Can’t wait to see which have been breaking the “no contact” rule.  Spags being the “Four Pillars” guy that he is probably didn’t get a head start.  But I’m not putting anything past Kevin Demoff.  I could see him knocking over a pillar or two to get ahead.

6) I think it’s smart of the Rams to have their training camp in town.  They’ll also be opening most of the sessions to the public – to make amends for the PR mess the lockout created.  The logistics of trying to run camp and free agency away from home turf was just too impractical.The fans win in this case and know I’ll be there to get any scoops if I can!

7) I think the NBA players, fans, and writers think they know what their lockout holds.  But in reality they have no idea what they’re in for.  Have fun and enjoy the roller coaster.  I have a feeling your ride is going to be a lot longer than the NFL’s.

.8) I think I totally missed the WNBA all-star game.  I had no idea the league was still in existence to be honest with you.  Do people actually watch the games?

9) I think it’s finally time to start thinking about fantasy football!  I have four invitations and I’ve accepted three of them.  Can’t wait for my first mock draft!

10) I think despite my allergic reactions to the Patriots I have to take this moment to mention Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his late wife, Myra Kraft.

Very few knew that Robert Kraft, who has been a mainstay in these negotiations, had been going back and forth between the talks and his ailing wife.  He could have been spending those last precious moments with his wife but instead he was at the table trying to get this deal done.  Say what you will about the owners in general but I have to commend the sacrifice he made to keep these talks moving along.

The outpouring of support from all sides of this labor mess makes you take a step back to see the bigger picture.  Here are some who loved and admired the late Myra Kraft.

Commissioner Roger Goodell:

Just a remarkable woman. Someone that meant so much to all of us. She’d always find a way to give back and make the world a better place.

Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones:

It seems so appropriate to recognize what Myra has been to everyone that she touched. For some 15 years, she was a personal inspiration to me and my wife. She just seemed to grow as time went along with her will to help others.

Also former Patriots guard, Joe Andruzzi:

She was a big influence on myself, my wife, Jennifer, and my whole family. She touched our lives in many ways. Being here as a player, and reaching out to my wife during my time in the hospital, and going through my cancer treatment, and offering her help. . . . We looked up to her for what she did in the community, just the person she was. . . .

Life isn’t about what you can get from it but what you can give back.  Myra Kraft did just that.

Did they or didn’t they? 

Did Peyton Manning and Drew Brees in fact ask for special treatment as part of the anti-trust law suit settlement?  Did they indeed request an exemption from the franchise tag for the rest of their career?

Manning’s agent Tom Condon says on NFL Network, “Absolutely not.”

He explains further:

Well, of course Dew is a part of the executive committee so he was literally sitting in the meetings. 

The story came from an unnamed source.  Certainly not from Drew or Peyton. 

Drew, Peyton and Tom Brady made a statement about a week or so ago that they were completely supportive of the players’ position.  They thought it was a fair offer and they encouraged management to accept the offer and to get back to playing football.

My understanding is that offer included a one-time franchise limitation.  And I have to assume that is where this came from.

Condon maintains “it was a part of the proposal that the players and the executive committee made to the NFL management council.”

But if Drew Brees was “literally sitting in the meetings,” who’s the say he didn’t bring up the offer?  I’m highly suspicious.  Seems to me they put it out there to see what they could get away with and once they saw the backlash they withdrew their demands.

When asked whether that part of the universal settlement was specific for Manning and Brees, Tom Condon replied:

No.  No.  No, not specific at all.  It would affect any player.  You can franchise a player only one time in his career.

Interesting to note Drew Brees and Peyton Manning both have been franchise once already.

What’s the process?

Here’s an outline of how this process will play out as SI’s Jim Trotter understands it.

• The executive committee votes to froward a proposed settlement agreement to the player reps.
• The players reps then debate and vote whether to forward the settlement agreement to the plaintiffs in the anti-trust case.
• The named plaintiffs then have to approve the settlement before the owners can vote on it, presumably tomorrow.
• If the owners approve the settlement agreement, then the players would have to reform as a union to finalize CBA issues.

In other words, both lawsuits (Brady vs. NFL and TV money case) will have to be settled.  Then the players need 51% majority vote to re-certify the NFLPA as a union.  And lastly, the union has to vote to ratify the new CBA.

Some player reps have already left meetings but some have stayed behind to further discuss the proposal with NFLPA executive committee.  It’s possible the reps who left have already casted their votes. 

So, we’re close.  Very close but not there yet.

Mayhem - Allstate

I was watching NFL Live for the first time in a few weeks.  (Basically, I only watch it live when Trey Wingo is hosting but I digress.)

Trey Wingo, Tim Hasselbeck and Mike Golic were discussing the end of the 130 day lockout.

As I watched I couldn’t help but think, “Will the beginning of the end signal the start of a different type of  ’out,’ sheer chaos, or both?”

Lockout

Items still left to be ironed out in the negotiations before we can even get to that are:

• Settlement of the anti-trust law suit Brady et al vs. NFL
• Settlement of the “lockout insurance” case in Judge Doty’s court
• $320M in lost player benefits from an uncapped 2010
• Off season player safety concerns
• Re-formation of the NFL Players Union

As the main plaintiffs in the anti-trust law suit, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Logan Mankins, and Vincent Jackson made their settlement terms known.

• Peyton Manning and Drew Brees want exemptions from the franchise tag for the rest of their careers.  Both QB’s were slapped with the tag back in February.
• Logan Mankins and Vincent Jackson want to become UFA’s (unrestricted free agents) or receive $10M.  Both Mankins and Jackson were hold outs in 2010 over contract disputes.

But surprise!  Just as we’ve seen one too many times throughout this lockout, the Fab Four reverse course and ultimately withdrew their demands late last night.

After some debate over possible special relief for at least some of the 10 player-plaintiffs, it was determined it would be too cumbersome to try and work out individual deals,” Borges writes.  “Since the bulk of plaintiffs were well-placed NFL veterans, the best way to go, it was decided, was to stick simply with the larger deal negotiated between the NFLPA and the league’s owners.

Who’s bright idea was it to try and squeeze every last drop out of this law suit anyway?  It’s got the stench of Kessler written all over it.  And Mike Florio agrees.

Holdout 

From the league’s and owners’ standpoint they didn’t “lose” money since the preseason will most likely start on time.  Games will not be missed and therefore no tangible loss of revenue.

But from the coaches and teams perspective it’s not quite so rosy.  As the lockout dragged on for what amounts to the entire off season, lost were weeks of OTA’s, mini-camps and most importantly time for a proper free agency period.

Recently, Funny or Die posted a hilarious 3 minute spoof of the movie “Field of Dreams” with an NFL lockout twist.  An Iowa corn farmer (Taylor Lautner) builds a football field and the ghosts of lockout players appear.

“If you build it, they will come…”

Field of Dreams 2: NFL Lockout with Taylor Lautner

Just as Ray Kinsella built his baseball diamond, Taylor Lautner’s character followed the voice and built the make shift football field.  He didn’t know why he was doing it and what would happen once it was finished – he just built it.  He built it and the players came.

The owners and players sides have been in marathon negotiating sessions over the past couple of weeks.  It seems the fire was finally lit under their arses, doesn’t it?  Apparently fans’ ranting and raving for the last four months wasn’t enough to fuel their sense of urgency.  But as we can see, nothing speaks louder than the possibility of forfeiting hundreds of millions of dollars.  That’s what finally spoke to them – the sound of (losing) money.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” said NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith after a long day of meetings.

We’re not privy to the exact details of their talks but we get calculated leaks from an “a person with knowledge of the situation” despite a gag order.  There’s certainly a part of me that wishes we could know all the details but at this point, and I’m sure I speak for many, we just want the deal to get done.

Up until now I’ve expressed anger, despair, frustration, denial, ambivalence, and a slew of other emotions not fit to elaborate here.  Maybe it’s time I showed some faith and optimism.  It’s finally time for me to write about it in a positive light.  Sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy?  Maybe once I do, this lockout will finally come to an end and we’ll have football again.

Okay, here I go.  Happy thoughts… Positive thoughts…

I am certain this deal will get done in time to save the entire preseason and all 16 games of the regular season.  Both sides will realize the error of their ways, make nice, and try and do what’s best for the other side.

I envision Roger and DeMaurice will not only have a cordial lunch together at their local NYC hangout but they’ll share a tender moment sipping bubble tea during a $30 mani-pedi special in Chinatown.  After that they’ll be shopping at Barney’s for matching boxer briefs and fedoras.  And to top off the BFF makeover day, they’ll head on over to a photo shoot as they will be co-winners of Time Magazine Man of the Year award for saving the 2011 NFL season.

Across town, I’m confident you’ll find the Big Three sitting at a table enjoying their own lunch – Drew, Tom, and Peyton.  Drew will be on the phone profusely apologizing to Carl and Franco.  While Tom is trying to show Peyton some moves he learned at Carnivale.  But wait, I see Peyton in a neck brace.  He shoos Tom away telling him he can’t draw any attention to himself.

“Gotta lay low, Tommy.  And I can’t talk about the lockout.  It’s bad for the Manning brand and for my new show, ‘Football Cops.’  By the way, Tommy.  You should really consider getting a hair cut.  The Geico caveman is so four seasons ago.  Here’s my hair stylist’s business card.  Just ask him for the PeyPey – short cut that shows off your forehead.”

I’m sure Uptown all the lawyers are breaking out the Cristal and congratulating themselves about how they were able to fool both sides into dragging out this lockout as long as they did.

“Great job, Jeff.”  ”No, you were great, Jeff.”  ”Cha-ching!” says Jeff.  ”What do you mean, cha-ching?  I only made $1!” says Jeff.  ”Oops.  Sorry, I forgot about that, Jeff.”

Most definitely, over in Synderville, Dan, Robert, and Jerry are tickled giddy over how they stuck it again to Mike and Ralph.  But unlike Jerryworld, they’ll actually have seats to sit in that have passed safety inspections.

Then Dan decides he wants to give Donovan and Albert another chance on top of signing Nnamdi and the triplets, Randy, Terrell, and Chad.

And the scribes…  I can’t forget about how tirelessly they covered every passing moment for us football fans:  When both parties came and went.  What they were wearing and even what food was being delivered for supper.  Some went beyond the call of duty.

I’m positive Albert Breer will not want to stake out another dirty city sidewalk or sit in a green fluorescent camping chair if he can help it.

There, do you think that was enough sunshine and good vibes to tip the scale to getting this CBA done?  I sure hope so because that’s about all I’ve got.  I’ve written it.  Now they have to get it done.

I leave you with this final thought.

“Retired” Brett: Is this heaven?
Me: No, it’s a signed CBA.

There’s lots of NFL news to cover this morning.  I’ll just get right to it.

1) ProFootballTalk.com: To the NHL -> H.O.P.!  I love how the NHL is trying to assist the NFL in their case versus the players.

“The NHL has a direct interest in ensuring that the determination of terms and conditions of employment for NHL players is the product of a bona fide labor process rather than the “lever” of potential antitrust liability.”

Why would anyone listen to Bob Batterman?  He’s one of the outside counsel members for the NHL that forced an entire NHL season to be lost.  I’m sure many hockey fans will tell you where they can put their “amicus curiae” brief!

2) 18to88.com: Ring-a-ling, a-ling-ling, Commissioner Goodell on line 1.  After a conference call to Colts fans left a bitter taste in their mouths Nate Dunleavy, a Colts blogger, voiced his displeasure.  Word got to the Commish and Goodell called Mr. Dunleavy.  You can make your own judgments about what the commish actually said.

3) AP.com: (via The Richmond Times-Dispatch) This report reveals that almost 40% of NFL players wore helmets that were rated second to lowest in safety.  With the two sides fighting over $9B one would think a few hundred dollars is nothing to spend on protecting their brains!  Players feel the better rated helmets are not as comfortable to play in.  They say those little nuances can make a difference in their play making abilities.  Well, a little more protection may the difference in their long term mental and physical health.

4) Fourthandgoalunites.com: Uh oh, Jeff Nelson is stirring up the pot.  Looks like DeMaurice Smith and Drew Brees have some explaining to do.  What a nice way to divide the players, or at least the entity formerly known as the NFLPA, against themselves.  If those numbers are true I’d definitely want some answers. (via @realfreemancbs)