1999: A Year in Review

 At the turn of the century, the NFL witnessed a revolution. A brief, but shining revolution in St. Louis, Missouri known today as the Greatest Show on Turf.

   Before this revolution, we must begin with mediocrity. From 1990-1999, the St. Louis Rams posted an (unfortunately) unparalleled 45-99 record. Translation? They won 31 percent of their games in nine years, the lowest mark in NFL history over such time. Not one season of double digit wins, especially pathetic considering the nine year stretch of 1980-1989 saw the Rams amass double digit wins five times. 

  While this story appears sad and forgettable, the 1999-2000 season began on a different note. Ownership traded for rising start and future Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk (8,100 total yards in five season with the Colts), drafted all-American Torry Holt to play alongside another emerging star in Isaac Bruce, and signed free agent Trent Green and his quarterbacks backs coach Mike Martz to be the offensive coordinator. 

   The Rams finally had pieces. Playmakers that would absolutely thrive in Martz's wide open, down-the-field system. All until a blow to Trent Green's knee, on a simple 10 yard out route in a pre-season game against the San Diego Chargers, sidelined him for the season. Mediocrity was about to have its day yet again. 

   In steps the unknown and unproven Kurt Warner, the über successful Arena Fotball and NFL Europe star. Having cut two quarterbacks that offseason, the Rams gave Warner a tryout and eventually signed him to the practice squad. The rest, as they say, is history. 

   Warner would begin his career as a starting quarterback by throwing five touchdowns in the season opener. He followed that performance by throwing three or more touchdowns in his next two games, becoming the first quarterback EVER to throw three or more touchdowns in his first three starts. All he did that year was throw for 4,353 yards, 41 touchdowns (only the second player at the time to do so) and posted a 109.2 passer rating, third highest in league history, while competing 65 percent of his passes; his stat line was good enough to earn him league MVP and Super Bowl MVP after setting the record for most passing yards (414) and pass attempts without an interception (45). His five touchdown passes against the Vikings in the divisional round rank second all time in a playoff game. 

   As for Faulk, he ran gained 1,381 yards on the ground while rushing for an impressive 5.5 yards a carry. His presence was felt out of the backfield, too as he caught 87 passes for 1,048 yards. He broke the single season record for most receiving yards for a running back and yards from scrimmage (2,429). He also joined Roger Craig as the only running backs ever to both rush and receive for 1,000 yards in a single season. 

   Bruce caught 77 passes for 1,165 yards and 12 touchdowns, and joined Faulk and Warner at the Pro Bowl.

   The Rams offensive juggernaut lead the NFL in total yards, scoring, and passing yards. They are also one of only four teams in NFL history score 30 points or more 12 separate games in one season; their 526 points and 6,413 yards are the eight and fourth most respectively in NFL history for one season. 

   For all their success offensively, the defensive sued lights out as well. Lead by Pro Bowls Kevin Carter, Todd Lyght, and D'marco Farr, the Rams surrendered 242 points all year (15.1 per game); their 284 differential is the most in league history.  Carter recorded 17 of the NFL high 57 sacks talleyed by the Rams. Even more remarkably so, nine different players intercepted two or more passes which lead to seven being returned for touchdowns (third most in league history for a single season). They also achieved top six rankings in yards allowed (sixth), points allowed (fourth), and fewest rushing yards and touchdowns allowed (ranked first in both).

   The quintessential worst to first: an absolutely dominat season capped off by a victory in Super Bowl 34 against the high powered Tennessee Titans. While the debate rages on, the Rams have made their case and mark on history.