The burden of proof appears to be on the St. Louis Rams.
Super Bowl XXXVI has yet to start, but the Rams are leading by two touchdowns.
That’s the advantage oddsmakers have bestowed on the NFC champions before they ram helmets with the New England Patriots on Sunday in the Superdome. After all, the Patriots were 45-1 long shots to make the Super Bowl in August.
Rams coach Mike Martz appreciates the confidence of the sporting world, but he realizes the game will be won or lost on the field.
“That has never been our focus, whether we are an underdog or whether we are the favorites. We have never talked about that,” Martz said Friday in his final news conference before Sunday’s game. “Our whole focus always has been and always will be on ourselves and how we prepare, and getting as much out of ourselves as we possibly can.
“That being said, it really doesn’t make any difference what the point spread is. It’s up to us to go out there and lay it all out there.”
The Rams are seeking their second Super Bowl title in the last three years, yet veteran cornerback Aeneas Williams, who spent the previous 10 years of his career with the Arizona Cardinals, is looking for his first championship ring.
“It would be part of the journey,” Williams said. “So many people ask me about it. So many guys say you’re not complete if you don’t win one. It would be special, unique. To me, when I run across guys like Dan Dierdorf, Conrad Dobler, guys who played for the Cardinals who didn’t have this opportunity, maybe vicariously they’re living through me.”
The Rams defeated New England 24-17 on Nov. 18 during the regular season. St. Louis dominated the offensive statistics by a greater margin than the final score. The Rams amassed 482 yards to the Patriots’ 230 yards, for instance.
“What we do is go back and try to reflect on that tape, and we try to make the corrections that we can make,” Martz said. “But again, it comes down to our performance. When you play a team like this, you have to be able to problem solve.”
Similar to the Bears, New England went 5-11 in 2000. Of the 53 players on the Patriots’ Super Bowl roster, 25 were acquired in the last 12 months.
As if the Rams need another advantage, their “Greatest Show on Turf” is looking forward to going through its routine on the artificial turf indoors Sunday.
“We like to control the climate without the wind for the passing game,” Martz said. “I think our [receivers and running backs] have great change of direction, and that is a definite advantage for us. Our guys are very quick and can accelerate. I think the turf lends itself to that type of a player.”
The Rams worked on goal-line and short-yardage offense and red zone passing in practice Friday.
“In terms of injuries, Jeff Zgonina, Orlando Pace and Isaac Bruce will be fine,” Martz said.
Rams safety Kim Herring thinks it is premature to talk about his team becoming a dynasty.
“Dynasty?” he said. “Don’t you have to win two in a row to be called a dynasty?”
St. Louis wide receiver Ricky Proehl says this trip to the Super Bowl feels different than the Rams’ 1999 appearance.
“We’re so focused. All year we expected to be here. Everybody isn’t in awe this year,” he said. “Two years ago we were in awe. We were so excited to be here in the hype. Now we’re confident, focused. Guys are excited to play in a second Super Bowl and get a second world championship.”
