Driving on Saturday to a family July 4 get-together, I was listening to Sirius NFL Radio for more information about the then-fresh news that former Titans and Ravens quarterback Steve McNair had been found dead.
(And since Mrs. Florio and Florio Jr. had left earlier, I was able to actually keep the dial on Channel 124 for more than 25 seconds.)
At one point, co-host Howard Balzer talked about the thrilling finish to Super Bowl XXXIV, which culminated in a seven-point win by the Rams over McNair’s Titans. Balzer, whose coverage of the league focuses at times on the team that plays in his home market of St. Louis, was intimately familiar with the closing seconds of the game.
And we learned something interesting about defensive end Kevin Carter’s role in the final drive that ended just short of a potentially game-tying touchdown by the Titans.
For years, we’ve seen images of Rams coach Dick Vermeil, who couldn’t comprehend that Carter was tapping out with the game on the line. So we assumed that Carter left the game because he was too tired, and we’d pointed it out often.
As it turns out, Carter wasn’t the only Rams defender who left the game after its penultimate play. Balzer said that both Carter and defensive tackle D’Marco Farr exited the field, and for good reason. They were gassed after chasing McNair, who scrambled and ducked and dodged and twirled before finding receiver Kevin Dyson inside the Rams’ ten yard line.
Also, even though both Carter and Farr left the game, the fact that the Titans called a time out to stop the clock gave both of them a chance to recover — and Balzer said both were on the field for the play that came up a yard short of the end zone.
So we’re sorry, Kevin, for assuming that you were lazy.
So he wasn’t lazy, just out of shape…mkay.
Excellent use of ‘penultimate’ Florio!
Its so underused in America.
That was an amazing scramble by McNair. Watching the highlights I never put it together that the “sit out” was following that play.
Florio you should know this being a fanatic like the rest of us. Americas game which is truly the best program on the network shows that Carter and Farr were both gassed. I did love how Dick was giving Carter shit for coming out. Great stuff love nfl films.
Why did Mrs. Florio & Florio Jr. leave earlier than you? “Can’t stand ya”?
Ranla is right. You ought to know this sir. Please tell us youve watched all the other (sometimes amazing) episodes!?
thats the worst mea culpa ever there florio, you don’t want to piss off nfl’ers its a club that if you get on their bad side you’ll have nothing for this website
As a Rams fan, I believe many fans and coaches never questioned Kevin Carter’s ability…but we did question his heart at times (and felt he took plays off.)
D’Marco Farr on the other hand was a true Ram inside and out and was always a fan favorite.
But that is great NFL Films video of Dick Vermeil in laughing shock, “You wanna come out now?”
Well, lazy is probably the best way to put it because it is not 3rd or 6th game of the season. It is 19th game of the season! You have already been through off-season, training camp, preseason, regular season, and few play-off games already. 19th game IS for the championship! Its freaking Super Bowl! And clock is running out with you in front and you wanted to sit out for one play???
Where the heck have you been for 2 weeks preparing for the Super Bowl? Probably sat on your lazy ass getting a bit out of shape. I definitely wouldn’t want you on my team the next season win or lose the Super Bowl!
No excuse!
If you can’t go you can’t go. Trying to go when you can’t is more likely than not going to hurt your team. Pretty easy to tell who hasn’t played the game at any level above peewee by these comments.
I agree with Vox (For once). You can tell the people that have never played a sport above a recreational level. If you’ve given all your energy on a play, you’re worthless on the next play. If they see you can’t even move, what’s to keep them from calling a draw play up the middle with a huge gaping hole because you can’t hold up the block. Lazy is hardly the word I’d use.
wow, never thought i’d agree with Vox but i do….
if any of you have ever played football, the extreme tire you experience toward the end of the game in undescribeable. Our coaches always told us to give it our all, but if we can’t go – LET THEM KNOW!!
they’d rather have a fresh body with high-motor in there than a very tired, can’t hardly move starter.
kevin never was lazy, and was always a top player.
Just for a fact, I have played college football so I played beyond recreational level.
Vox, what made you an expert?? Dick Vermeil is the head coach of Kevin Carter in that game and why was he upset then made a joke about it and laughed?? Why would he be upset?? As I pointed out, you would have already been through the off-season training, training camp, 16 regular seasons, few play-off games, and 3 and half quarter of Super Bowl. In case you didn’t get it, you would have already ran maybe 500 to 1,000 miles by this point including being hit, blocked, and all. You have already been through all this that you should not be exhausted.
For your info, according to the drive chart, Tennessee had the ball for 1 min and 54 seconds. There was 12 plays with 3 being called for penalized. Then there was a time-out RIGHT AFTER Kevin Carter and J. Williams pressured Steve McNair. (the part where he wanted to sit out for the play)
There is more than enough for Kevin Carter to catch some breath during the penalty and the time-out.
NO EXCUSE!!