Congratulations Orlando Pace!

Orlando Pace has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The induction took place last night at the Hall in Canton, Ohio.

"Big O" who played 12 years with the Rams was the top pick in the 1997 draft.  I count myself fortunate that I got to see Pace play in person on many occasions and watched him pancake opponents who had the misfortune of having to line up across from him.  Pace was an Offensive Left Tackle and at that position protected Quarterback Kurt Warner and his blind side.  In addition to blocking for Warner, Pace also opened huge holes in the line for Marshall Faulk, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame five years ago.  Pace led the Rams to a win in Super Bowl 34 in late January 2000.  The team was nicknamed "The Greatest Show on Turf" as it racked up yardage at will and set numerous yardage and passing records.  Pace played a big role in anchoring that offensive line.  The team was coached by Dick Vermeil who is still beloved by St. Louis sports fans.

If you would like to see Orlando Pace's induction speech into the hall you may click on this link.

Pace is the second member of the Rams Super Bowl teams to enter the Hall of Fame.  Next year Warner should join him and the year after that Isaac Bruce should also be elected into the Hall.

Those Rams provided a lot of excitement on Sunday afternoons.  The fact they won a Super Bowl as the Saint Louis Rams is something I will never forget.  Congratulations #76 Orlando Pace!

Goodbye Saint Louis Rams

Good bye Rams. You were fun to follow for about ten years of your time here.  I never thought I would see a Super Bowl Champ in Saint Louis but the "Greatest Show on Turf" with Faulk, Warner, Bruce, Holt, Pace, Fletcher and Jones were among the most exciting football teams I have ever seen. But, the past ten years haven't been that great. In fact to be honest you were terrible but we still loved you and sold out the dome until the end when Stan Kroenke made known his plans to move you out of town. Am I sorry to see you leave. Of course. But, I will get past you. There are 31 other teams in the NFL we can watch. And Mizzou will always be in Columbia with fans more loyal than most NFL franchises will ever know.

So goodbye Rams, and good luck supporting this poorly managed franchise to the fans in Southern California who will now cheer for you in their second chance. As far as you Stan Kroenke; you could have just kept your mouth shut and not gone scorched earth policy on the St. Louis region. You don't have a lot of fans here and my advice is leave quickly and don't let the door hit you in the butt.