2000 St. Louis Rams season

The 2000 season was the St. Louis Rams' 63rd in the National Football League (NFL) and their sixth in St. Louis. For the first time in franchise history, the Rams entered the season as the defending Super Bowl champions. The Rams finished the regular-season with a record of 10–6 but would go on to lose to the New Orleans Saints 31–28 in the wild-card round of the playoffs. They led the NFL in scoring for a second straight year with 540 points. The Rams became the first team in NFL history to score more than 500 points on offense, while allowing more than 450 points on defense.[1]

2000 St. Louis Rams season
OwnerGeorgia Frontiere
General managerMike Martz and Charley Armey
Head coachMike Martz
Offensive coordinatorBobby Jackson
Defensive coordinatorPeter Giunta
Home fieldTrans World Dome
Results
Record10–6
Division place2nd NFC West
Playoff finishLost Wild Card Playoffs
(at Saints) 28–31
Pro BowlersQB Kurt Warner
RB Marshall Faulk
WR Isaac Bruce
WR Torry Holt
OT Orlando Pace
AP All-ProsRB Marshall Faulk (1st team)
OT Orlando Pace (2nd team)
PR Az-Zahir Hakim (1st team)

Running back Marshall Faulk was named the MVP of the regular season. It was the second straight time a Rams player was named MVP.

After the resignation of Dick Vermeil, who had been the Rams' head coach through St. Louis' 1999 championship season, Mike Martz took over as head coach, and attempted to defend the Rams' Super Bowl XXXIV title. The Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf" continued its offensive dominance, scoring 33.7 points per game.

Statistically, Football Outsiders calculates that the 2000 Rams had the most efficient rushing attack of any single-season NFL team from 1993 to 2010.[2] The 2000 Rams are one of only three teams in NFL history to score 35 points or more nine times in a single season.[3][note 1] The Denver Broncos did it 10 times in 2013. The Rams' offense offset the team's defensive struggles: St. Louis' 471 points allowed in 2000 is the most ever surrendered by an NFL team with a winning record.[4] The Rams had the best offense in the league, but had the worst defense in the league.

The season saw the Rams change their logo and add a new color scheme of navy and gold, replacing blue and yellow, donning new uniforms in the process. The Rams' new logo consisted of a charging blue ram outlined in gold with a matching gold outline. It would be their logo for 16 years.

Offseason

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Additions Subtractions
C Steve Everitt (Eagles) C Mike Gruttadauria (Cardinals)
QB Paul Justin (Cowboys)
T Fred Miller (Titans)
LB Charlie Clemons (Saints)
DE Jay Williams (Panthers)
S Billy Jenkins (Broncos)
T Matt Willig (49ers)

NFL Draft

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2000 St. Louis Rams draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 31 Trung Canidate  Running back Arizona
5 139 Brian Young  Defensive tackle UTEP
      Made roster  

[5]

Undrafted Free Agents

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2000 Undrafted Free Agents of note
Player Position College
Mark Chicarelli Running back Northern Colorado
Derek Fox Safety Penn State
Alex Hass Tight end Minnesota
Bill Marsaut Tackle Iowa State
Corte McGuffey Quarterback Northern Colorado

Staff

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2000 St. Louis Rams staff

Front office

  • Chairman – Georgia Frontiere
  • Vice chairman – Stan Kroenke
  • President – John Shaw
  • President of football operations – Jay Zygmunt
  • General manager – Mike Martz and Charley Armey (Martz has final say on personnel decisions)
  • Senior vice president of administration – Bob Wallace
  • Director of scouting – Lawrence McCutcheon
  • Administrator of pro personnel – Jack Faulkner

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Chris Clausen
  • Strength and conditioning – Dana LeDuc


Roster

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2000 St. Louis Rams roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 5 reserve, 4 practice squad

[6]

Preseason

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Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 5 Oakland Raiders W 31–17 1–0 Trans World Dome Recap
2 August 14 at Tennessee Titans L 3–30 1–1 Adelphia Coliseum Recap
3 August 19 Buffalo Bills L 27–31 1–2 Trans World Dome Recap
4 August 24 at Dallas Cowboys W 24–17 2–2 Texas Stadium Recap

Regular season

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Schedule

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Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 4 Denver Broncos W 41–36 1–0 Trans World Dome Recap
2 September 10 at Seattle Seahawks W 37–34 2–0 Husky Stadium Recap
3 September 17 San Francisco 49ers W 41–24 3–0 Trans World Dome Recap
4 September 24 at Atlanta Falcons W 41–20 4–0 Georgia Dome Recap
5 October 1 San Diego Chargers W 57–31 5–0 Trans World Dome Recap
6 Bye
7 October 15 Atlanta Falcons W 45–29 6–0 Trans World Dome Recap
8 October 22 at Kansas City Chiefs L 34–54 6–1 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
9 October 29 at San Francisco 49ers W 34–24 7–1 3Com Park Recap
10 November 5 Carolina Panthers L 24–27 7–2 Trans World Dome Recap
11 November 12 at New York Giants W 38–24 8–2 Giants Stadium Recap
12 November 20 Washington Redskins L 20–33 8–3 Trans World Dome Recap
13 November 26 New Orleans Saints L 24–31 8–4 Trans World Dome Recap
14 December 3 at Carolina Panthers L 3–16 8–5 Ericsson Stadium Recap
15 December 10 Minnesota Vikings W 40–29 9–5 Trans World Dome Recap
16 December 18 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 35–38 9–6 Raymond James Stadium Recap
17 December 24 at New Orleans Saints W 26–21 10–6 Louisiana Superdome Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

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Week 1: vs. Denver Broncos

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Week 1: Denver Broncos at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 10 10936
Rams 7 14 14641

at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks

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Week 2: St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rams 3 10 71737
Seahawks 3 7 101434

at Husky Stadium, Seattle, Washington

Game information

Week 3: vs. San Francisco 49ers

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Week 3: San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers 7 10 0724
Rams 3 14 71741

at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

Week 4: at Atlanta Falcons

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Week 4: St. Louis Rams at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rams 3 14 101441
Falcons 7 6 0720

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: September 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: indoors (dome)
  • Game attendance: 58,761
  • Referee: Bill Carollo
  • TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall, John Madden and D. J. Johnson
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 5: vs. San Diego Chargers

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Week 5: San Diego Chargers at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 7 71431
Rams 17 13 171057

at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

The Rams opened their offense with Kurt Warner throwing 14 consecutive passes.

Week 7: vs. Atlanta Falcons

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Week 7: Atlanta Falcons at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 14 7 0829
Rams 7 22 8845

at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

Week 8: at Kansas City Chiefs

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Week 8: St. Louis Rams at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rams 0 14 14634
Chiefs 20 7 131454

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: October 22
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Overcast, 64 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 79,142
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Matt Millen and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 9: at San Francisco 49ers

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Week 9: St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rams 7 7 101034
49ers 7 10 7024

at 3Com Park, San Francisco, California

  • Date: October 29
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 60 °F (15.6 °C)
  • Game attendance: 68,109
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Matt Millen and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 10: vs. Carolina Panthers

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Week 10: Carolina Panthers at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 6 7 31127
Rams 7 3 14024

at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

Week 11: at New York Giants

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Week 11: St. Louis Rams at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rams 14 14 10038
Giants 0 7 10724

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: November 12
  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST/3:15 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Partly Sunny, 54 °F (12.2 °C)
  • Game attendance: 78,174
  • Referee: Bernie Kukar
  • TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall, John Madden and D. J. Johnson
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 12: vs. Washington Redskins

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Week 12: Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redskins 3 10 12833
Rams 10 3 7020

at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: indoors (dome)
  • Game attendance: 66,087
  • Referee: Ron Blum
  • TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Dan Fouts, Dennis Miller, Melissa Stark and Eric Dickerson
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 13: vs. New Orleans Saints

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Week 13: New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 14 3731
Rams 7 3 7724

at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: November 26
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: indoors (dome)
  • Game attendance: 66,064
  • Referee: Gerry Austin
  • TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall, John Madden and D. J. Johnson
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 14: at Carolina Panthers

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Week 14: St. Louis Rams at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rams 3 0 003
Panthers 0 0 7916

at Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: December 3
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy skies, 34 °F (1.1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 73,358
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Matt Millen and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 15: vs. Minnesota Vikings

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Week 15: Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 7 14829
Rams 14 6 13740

at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: December 10
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: indoors (dome)
  • Game attendance: 66,273
  • Referee: Ron Winter
  • TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall, John Madden and D. J. Johnson
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 16: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Week 16: St. Louis Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rams 7 7 71435
Buccaneers 10 14 7738

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: December 18
  • Game time: 9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cold, light breeze, clear 49 °F (9.4 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,653
  • Referee: Johnny Grier
  • TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Dan Fouts, Dennis Miller, Melissa Stark and Eric Dickerson
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 17: at New Orleans Saints

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Week 17: St. Louis Rams at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rams 7 3 9726
Saints 0 7 01421

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: indoors (dome)
  • Game attendance: 64,900
  • Referee: Phil Luckett
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Matt Millen and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Standings

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NFC West
W L T PCT PF PA STK
(3) New Orleans Saints 10 6 0 .625 354 305 L1
(6) St. Louis Rams 10 6 0 .625 540 471 W1
Carolina Panthers 7 9 0 .438 310 310 L1
San Francisco 49ers 6 10 0 .375 388 422 L1
Atlanta Falcons 4 12 0 .250 252 413 W1

Postseason

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Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Recap
Wild Card December 30 at New Orleans Saints (3) L 28–31 0–1 Louisiana Superdome Recap

Game summaries

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NFC Wild Card Game: at (3) New Orleans Saints

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NFC Wild Card Playoffs: (6) St. Louis Rams at (3) New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rams 7 0 02128
Saints 0 10 71431

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

The Saints won their first playoff game in their 34-year history with quarterback Aaron Brooks' 266 passing yards and four touchdowns, by holding off the defending champion Rams, who scored three touchdowns in the final quarter. Overall, the Rams committed five turnovers while the Saints committed none. Rams quarterback Kurt Warner lost four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble), while running back Marshall Faulk, who shredded the Saints with 220 rushing yards when they played against them in the regular season, was held to a season low of 24 yards on the ground.

Best performances

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  • Marshall Faulk, October 15, 208 rushing yards vs. Atlanta Falcons
  • Marshall Faulk, December 24, 220 rushing yards vs. New Orleans Saints
  • Trent Green, 431 passing yards vs. the Carolina Panthers, (achieved on November 5)[7]
  • Kurt Warner, 441 passing yards vs. the Denver Broncos, (achieved on September 4)[7]

Statistics

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  • Led NFL, average yards per play (7.0)[8]
  • NFL record, combined net yards gained (7,075)[8]
  • NFL record, passing yards, (5,232)[citation needed]
  • Led NFL, first downs, passing (247)[8]
  • Led NFL, passes completed (380)[8]
  • Led NFL, passing offense[8]
  • Led NFL, passing touchdowns (37)[8]
  • Led NFL, percentage of passes completed (64.7%) [8]
  • Led NFL, rushing touchdowns (26)[8]
  • Led NFL, third down efficiency (47.5%)[8]
  • Led NFL, total offense[8]
  • Led NFL, total touchdowns (67)[8]
  • Led NFL, two-point conversions (4, tied)[8]
  • Led NFL, yards gained per completed pass (14.5)[8]

Awards and records

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  • Marshall Faulk, NFL MVP
  • Marshall Faulk, Associated Press MVP
  • Marshall Faulk, Associated Press All-Pro
  • Marshall Faulk, All-NFL Team (as selected by the Associated Press, Pro Football Weekly, and the Pro Football Writers of America) [9]
  • Marshall Faulk, Associated Press Most Valuable Player [10]
  • Marshall Faulk, Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year [10]
  • Marshall Faulk, Daniel F. Reeves Memorial Award
  • Marshall Faulk, Football Digest Player of the Year[10]
  • Marshall Faulk, College and Pro Football Newsweekly Offensive Player of the Year [10]
  • Marshall Faulk, Miller Lite Player of the Year [10]
  • Marshall Faulk, NFC Offensive Player of the Week, week 3 [9]
  • Marshall Faulk, NFC Offensive Player of the Week, week 7 [9]
  • Marshall Faulk, NFC Offensive Player of the Week, week 17 [9]
  • Marshall Faulk, NFC Offensive Player of the Month, October [9]
  • Marshall Faulk, NFC Offensive Player of the Month, December [9]
  • Marshall Faulk, Pro Football Writers of America Most Valuable Player [10]
  • Marshall Faulk, Sporting News Player of the Year [10]
  • Marshall Faulk, Sports Illustrated Player of the Year [10]
  • London Fletcher, NFC Defensive Player of the Week, week 15 [9]
  • Trent Green, NFC Offensive Player of the Week, week 11 [9]
  • Trent Green, NFC Passer Rating Leader, (101.8 rating) [11]
  • Az-Zahir Hakim, All-NFL Team (as selected by the Associated Press, Pro Football Weekly, and the Pro Football Writers of America) [9]
  • Az-Zahir Hakim, NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, week 9 [9]
  • Az-Zahir Hakim, PFW/PFWA All-Pro Team [12]
  • Kurt Warner, NFC Offensive Player of the Week, week 5 [9]
  • Kurt Warner, NFC Offensive Player of the Month, September [9]

Notes

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  1. ^ The other two are the 1948 49ers and the 2011 Packers

References

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  1. ^ Sports Illustrated
  2. ^ Final 2010 DVOA Ratings
  3. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the regular season, requiring Points For >= 35, sorted by most games in season matching criteria.
  4. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2012, in the Regular Season, team with winning record, sorted by descending Points Allowed.
  5. ^ "2000 St. Louis Rams draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  6. ^ 2000 St. Louis Rams Statistics & Players – Pro-Football-Reference.com
  7. ^ a b NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 439
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 215
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 202
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 201
  11. ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 450
  12. ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 203