Outside Oberlin:

Rams Add Super Bowl Victory to Their Resume

Ladies and gentlemen, the St. Louis Rams, a mockery of a franchise, a team that had not won a division title in 14 years, has just won the N.F.L. Championship in Super Bowl XXXIV. But wait, it gets better. At the helm is 29 year old Kurt Warner, a second-year quarterback who has bounced his way from the Arena Football League to NFL Europe to second-string on the Rams. An injury to starter Trent Green enabled the God-loving passer to become an instant sensation from sheer anonymity.

After passing for the second highest total of touchdowns in a season (41, Dan Marino holds the record with 48 in 1984), Warner guided the team to a 14-2 regular season record, artfully displaying a potent, highly dangerous, quick-strike offensive attack. They met the Tennessee Titans - the darlings of the AFC - in a matchup that signified the changing of the guard in a now competitive league, unseating the dynasties that have ruled for the past decade.

The Titans seemed to be a (self-proclaimed) team of destiny, earning a 13-3 regular season record on the arm of Steve McNair and the legs of running back Eddie George. Only a trick play on a last second kickoff return saved them from elimination in the Wild Card Game against Buffalo. The Jaguars seemed cursed in their three games against the Titans, and the playoffs proved no exception.

The game had star-quality from the beginning, featuring the most dynamic defensive player in the AFC, Titans rookie defensive end Jevon Kearse. Marshall Faulk, the multifaceted back that has ruined coverages all year, complemented Warner and his host of big-play receivers. The Titans boasted a unconventional play-caller in Steve McNair, who set the all-time Division I-AA career passing mark while at Alcorn St. McNair relied on his scrambling ability and creative play-making outside of the pocket. Tennessee hoped power running back Eddie George would eat up clock, limiting the Rams' time possession.

Meanwhile, the fans had the pleasure of listening to the ABC television coverage team of Al Michaels and Boomer Esiason, easily outclassing the outdated pairing of the raving John Madden and senile old curmudgeon Pat Summerall of FOX ignominy.

This year the commercial's took a backseat to the most exciting championship game since the 1990 matchup between my precious New York Giants and the hexed Buffalo Bills. It's a close call because this year's game did not get truly heart-pounding until Tennessee mounted a comeback in the third quarter, as if inspired by the injury to starting safety Blaine Bishop.

But the league MVP ensured that there would be no Cinderella story this year. After Tennessee settled for a 43 yard field goal by Al Del Greco at the 12:48 mark of the fourth quarter (the Titans had first and goal at the three but failed to score), Warner decided to move the ball vertically, and in a hurry. The newborn star calmly called a play to Isaac Bruce and the corner went for the interception allowing the fleet-footed All-Pro a free path to the endzone.

In one play, the Rams marched 73 yards in 18 seconds. What followed was one of the most dramatic drives in Super Bowl history.

With 1:54 remaining, Steve McNair and the Titans started from their own 22 yard-line with a sliver of hope of sending the game into overtime or possibly winning with a two-point conversion. A 15 yard face mask penalty helped the Titans move into Ram territory.

After eluding a sure sack by Kevin Carter and another defensive lineman, McNair scrambled to his right, stopped and fired a bullet to Kevin Dyson at the ten. McNair called the Titans' final timeout, and Fisher drew up the last play of the game.

McNair, who already had two rushing touchdowns on the day, found Dyson again on a quick slant across the middle. Dyson snared the ball at the five and looked to plunge into the endzone. What Dyson could not predict was outside linebacker Mike Jones perfect read on the play and instantaneous reaction to Dyson. Jones wrapped the receiver at the three and began to drag him down.

Dyson then stretched his hand out, trying to break the plane of the goal with the ball, knowing that an extra yard on Jones would have made all the difference. But in the end, the fairy tale belonged to Warner and the Rams.

Jeff Fisher will have to wait for next year, with Jacksonville and Indy waiting in the wings. Fortunately for Dick Vermeil, the old pro got to leave on top.

All Warner did was set a Super Bowl record with 404 passing yards. Rookie Torre Holt grabbed seven balls for 109 yards and Bruce caught six for 162.

Eddie George was consistent in the second half, totaling 95 yards on 28 carries. McNair displayed some fancy footwork as well, with eight carries for 64 yards (another Super Bowl record) to go with his 214 yards in the air.

The Rams were able to contain Kearse, and Warner picked apart the Titans' heralded defense. End of story. But what an unforeseeable ending to an even more unpredictable regular season. No Packers, Niners, Broncos or Jets this year, just unlikely heroes. I can't wait till next year.