Near the end of Sunday's loss against the playoff bound San Francisco 49ers, you could see St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo giving a myriad of players hugs, handshakes, and pats on the back as the clock wound down on a dreadful 2-14 season.
The game was likely Steve Spagnuolo's last as head coach of the St. Louis Rams. According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com, the Rams will reportedly fire Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney. The Rams were just 10-38 during three seasons under Spagnuolo, which included a seven win season in 2010.
As the painfully obvious will likely come to fruition this week as owner Stan Kroenke will soon make his "official" decision, Rams players spoke up in support of their head coach after Sunday's season ending 34-27 loss. Here is what some of his players had to say after Sunday's loss, knowing it likely will be their last game with Spagnuolo as their head coach.
Rams wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, who finished the season with 51 receptions and five touchdowns in 11 games with the Rams, on his short time with Spagnuolo.
Unfortunately for Spagnuolo's fate, the players words of support can not replace their miserable, pathetic, and inexcusable play on the field all season.
Spagnuolo's leadership abilities are well-documented, but his inability to develop talent, make in-game decisions, take risks, and prepare his players to execute a game plan will be the blame for his ultimate demise.
That and a group of players that simply did not perform.
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The game was likely Steve Spagnuolo's last as head coach of the St. Louis Rams. According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com, the Rams will reportedly fire Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney. The Rams were just 10-38 during three seasons under Spagnuolo, which included a seven win season in 2010.
As the painfully obvious will likely come to fruition this week as owner Stan Kroenke will soon make his "official" decision, Rams players spoke up in support of their head coach after Sunday's season ending 34-27 loss. Here is what some of his players had to say after Sunday's loss, knowing it likely will be their last game with Spagnuolo as their head coach.
Rams wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, who finished the season with 51 receptions and five touchdowns in 11 games with the Rams, on his short time with Spagnuolo.
"I thought Coach Spagnuolo was very inspiring. I didn't have the pleasure of being coached by him, but the words he said to me, our private conversations, the support I had from him on the football field was all positive. This move to St. Louis was a great move and I really enjoyed being coached by the coaches. In my mind, I think they deserve another year. Obviously I'm just a player who came here midseason and not the front office. All I can say is that whatever happens with this entire coaching staff it's been a positive experience from my point of view."Rams running back Steven Jackson, who rushed for 1,145 yards and five touchdowns in 2011, on Spagnuolo's leadership.
“I think he is a good leader. Outside of the wins-losses record that we have had, I think he is going to be successful if he stays here. I think he is going to be successful if he leaves. It is not a decision I make, and I believe the front office will do what is best for the organization.”Safety Quintin Mikell on how the team plays hard for Spagnuolo.
"I feel like that we have guys in this locker room who believe in each other and want to play for Coach. We want to win. We went out there and tried to give it our best, and I think that's what it's really about. It's out of our hands, but you can see we play for Spags and we're going to continue to play for him. I don't want to see anything happen to him."Finally, James Laurinaitis said that Spags taught him everything he knows about playing middle linebacker.
"He's taught me everything I know about NFL Mike (middle) backer. Obviously a great defensive mind. I try not to worry about things I can't control, but I'm a realist as well. It's kind of an anxious time for everybody. I'll kind of pray about it that whatever happens, happens. And you just kind of move forward and trust that we're going to be all right whether he's here or not. But I can't control any of that, so I try not to worry about it too much."The Rams players certainly have given Spagnuolo a ringing endorsement with their words after another disappointing season.
Unfortunately for Spagnuolo's fate, the players words of support can not replace their miserable, pathetic, and inexcusable play on the field all season.
Spagnuolo's leadership abilities are well-documented, but his inability to develop talent, make in-game decisions, take risks, and prepare his players to execute a game plan will be the blame for his ultimate demise.
That and a group of players that simply did not perform.
Sources:
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