St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 20

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH SPORTS THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2002 II RAMS NOTEBOOK' Warner is in hunt for another NFL honoT Warner, Faulk give the Rams something rare D6 2 il The results are special, and so is the show By Jim Thomas Of the Post-Dispatch" The Associated MVP. award is the most prestigious, but, it's only Round 1 when it comes to NFL player-of-the-year; awards. Probably the next-most prestigious such honor is the Miller Lite Player of the Year," announced annually during Super Bowl week. Rams quarterback jivp 7V 1 i I Ss f) 1 r.r' "I the scoreboard everyone in St Louis should just pinch themselves and savor this.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal "You ask anyone who has been around this game for a long time it's extraordinary to have a (team) like this. I just hope that people don't become too blase about it because they may never see it again. We all know that Kurt Warner had a good year but do people really know in terms of NFL history what a spectacular year he had?" To recap, Warner threw for 4,830 yards, the second-highest total in league history. He also threw for an NFL-best 36 touchdowns and guided his team to a 14-2 record. Faulk put up the numbers, too, becoming the first player in league history to surpass 2,000 yards in four consecutive seasons.

Together they pilot the offense. But in terms of MVP balloting, Warner stood out "If hard to pick either one," said Steve Sabol, president of NFL Films. "But if something had happened to Kurt Warner it definitely would have had more of an impact on the quality of play because Marshall has a better backup than Warner." Rams coach Mike Martz hasnt been asked to address that, but repeatedly in recent weeks he has said that the award should go to one of his two top guys. Then on Wednesday, with Warner in one corner of the room whispering to reporters, Martz was near the other end talking about this team's place in history. "I tell our guys this all the time," Martz said.

"We're in a special place and time. And we Mike Martz (left) calls Marshall Faulk (28) and Kurt Warner "two of the LAURIE SKRIVANPOST-DISPATCH greatest players to ever play." you're witnessing is two of the greatest players to ever play the game." Sabol went even further than that "This is one of the most volatile, distinctive offenses in the history of the sport," he said. "I'm hesitant to declare them the greatest offense of all time, but if they win the Super Bowl I would be right on the edge of saying that" Reporter Nick Wishart: E-mail: Phone: 314-340-8184 (36) on the NFL's all- time single season charts. In short he put to gether a season for the ages even with the interceptions. "He has seen the field really well," Rams quarterbacks coach John Ramsdell said.

"He's made tremendous decisions in terms of throwing the ball and also in terms of when not to throw it, tak ing sacks, scrambling, those kinds of thuigs. Faulk also posted incredible numbers including a league hieh 21 TDs and a league-record fourth straight season of 2.000-dIus vards from scrim mage. So while Faulk was out of sight he wasn out or mina Wednesday. "I don't feel bad for Marshall because I don't think Marshall feels bad," Frontiere said. "I think Marshall is pleased with where he is, being one of the mainstays of our team.

He's a wonderful leader, too. It could have been him just as easily as Kurt. Well, it was him last year. And Marshall is one who shares first and foremost." Reporter Jim Thomas E-mail: Phone: 314-340-8197 BYNICKWISHART Of the Post-Dispatch So, how rare is it to have The Associated Press NFL most valuable player award go to one team three years in a row? Very rare, indeed. Since the honor was first handed out in 1957, four teams have managed to keep the award in-house in back-to-back seasons: Green Bay in 1961 and '62 with Paul Hornung and Jim Taylor, the Baltimore Colts in '67 and '68 with Johnny Unites and Earl MorralL Washington in '82 and '83 with Mark Moseley and Joe and San Francisco in '89 and '90 with Joe Montana.

Only one team had ever kept the award three years in a row. Quarterback Brett Favre made that possible by winning three straight with the Packers from 1995 to 1997, but in '97 he shared the prize with Detroit running back Barry Sanders. Not until Wednesday when Kurt Warner won the award again had it stayed with the same team, outright, for three consecutive years. Warner won it in 1999. Marshall Faulk won it last year and finished second this year.

"That's an extraordinary accomplishment," Hall of Famer Dan Dierdorf said. "If why every day that this Rams juggernaut continues to put points on Warner Rams quarterback wins his second MVP award Continued from Dl Question: Did you think much about winning this award? Kurt pointed to his ring finger. Brenda's reply: "Super BowL Thafs what he's thinking right now, and thafs all he thinks about" Question: Isn't it amazing that you could win the MVP twice in your first three seasons as a starter? Kurt pointed skyward. "Amen," Brenda said. This second MVP award adds just another chapter to the Warner saga: From grocery clerk to Super Bowl champion and league MVP.

It's one of the most amazing rags to riches stories in American sports history. "I think about that all the time," Rams coach Mike Martz said. "Thafs what makes this Blues Team starts trip with win over Sharks Continued from Dl Five minutes into the game, Jamal Mayers won a faceoff in the Sharks' zone. Sergei Varla-mov dug the puck out of the scrum and slid it to Pronger at the point Pronger shot Drake deflected in the goal and the rout was on. About 2 12 minutes later, San Jose put its first of 17 shots on net and 15 seconds after that the Blues had a 2-0 lead.

Keith Tka-chuk swung the puck out the Blues' zone and up to Pavol De-mitra to carry through the neutral zone. Demitra passed to Scott Mellanby, who made a cross-slot pass to Tkachuk to score as he slid to his knees. Less man nine minutes into the game, Varlamov, who missed on a penalty shot in the second period, plucked loose a turnover in the neutral zone. He poked the puck ahead to Drake for a quick break. Drake faked, pulled the puck back and shot Goalie Evge- on the phone, Warner gave Brenda a thumb's up signal.

"And then his eyes got a little wet," Brenda said. Warner received 21 12 votes, to 17 12 for Faulk. Finishing third was Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre with five votes, followed by Pittsburgh quarterback Kordell Stewart (four) and Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher (two). Warner joins Favre, Jim Brown, Joe Montana, Johnny Unites and Steve Young as the only players to win the award more than once. "Thafs great company, isn't it?" Martz said.

In the 45 years of the AP award, quarterbacks have been named MVP 27 times. None of those quarterbacks threw as many interceptions as Warner did this season (22). But with the exception of 1984 MVP Dan Marino, none has posted overall numbers like Warner's. Warner finished second in passing yards sixth in completion percentage (68.7), sixth in completions (375) and tied for sixth in touchdown passes Kurt Warner, who won the AP award, is among six finalists for the Miller Lite award. Rams running back Marshall Faulk, runner-up to Warner in the AP voting, also is a Miller Lite finalist Other finalists are Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre, Oakland QB Rich Gannon, Pittsburgh QB Kordell Stewart and New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan.

The winner will be announced Jan. 30 in New Orleans, site of the Super Bowl. In 10 of the past 12 years, the AP winner and the Miller Lite winner have been the same player. In 1998, Minnesota quarter back Randall Cunningham won the Miller Lite award and Denver running back Terrell Davis won the AP honor. In 1997, Detroit running back Barry Sanders won the Miller Lite award but shared the AP honor with Favre.

With his team in the midst of a six-game winning streak, a part of coach Mike Martz wishes the Rams were playing this week end. "I've eot mixed emotions about that," Martz said. "But I do know that after playing 21 games starting off with that extra game with Miami in the preseason that these players need a little respite here. I think when we come back next week, we'll be energized and excited and ready to go. When it comes to possible playoff opponents on Jan.

20, most Rams players are steadfast in their neutrality. But linebacker Don Davis expresses a preference for Tampa Bay; he wants to see his former team for a couple of reasons. "One, I'm rooting for them because I've got a lot of good friends on that team," Davis said. "So I hope they come down here. And two, I want them to come down here so we can beat their head in." After auditioning several free agents for the Rams' 53rd roster spot, Martz says his inclination now is to either stand pat or promote a player from the practice squad.

Reporter Jim Thomas E-mail: Phone: 314-340-8197 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS celebrate during their win Tuesday all know' that. Well never be down this road again. Enjoy it and make it last as long as you can. I like talking about it because it gives- you goose bumps. Even out in practice when you see them do some of the things that they do you know that what Or a coach.

"In pressure situations, thafs when he's absolutely at his best," Martz said. "And you can start with the Super Bowl and work from there. When it's all on the line, thafs the guy you want. And he's absolutely one of the most unselfish people I've ever been around." So unselfish, in fact, that Warner argued with his wife all week about who should be the MVP. "He would argue about Marshall's stats, about Marshall's leadership," Brenda said.

"And I would argue about Kurt's stats and his leadership. So I know that he felt like Marshall deserved it" Warner did most of his arguing via a child's toy borrowing one of his children's' eraser boards. Brenda, by the way, says Warner's penmanship is horrible. The AP panel of voters (50 writers and broadcasters) sided with Brenda. At 10:30 in the morning, Martz called the Warners.

"Congratulations Kurt You've been selected as the MVP," Martz said. While listening to these words BIDES 6, SHARKS 1 Tuesday's game BLUES .3 2 1-6 ..0 1 1-2 SAN JOSE. Hnt Period Drake 4 (Pronger, Varlamov) 5:23 Tkachuk 19 (Mellanby, Demitra) 7:09 Drake 5 (unassisted) 8:51 Penalties: Mayers, Blues (slashing), Stuart, San Jose (cross-checking), 18:25. Second Period Young 15 (Weight, Pronger) 0:25 San Jos Thornton 15 (Stuart, Ricci) 7:29 (pp) Demitra 21 (Mellanby, Pronger) 10:31 (pp) Penalties: Pronger, Blues (holding), Thornton, San Jose (interference), Marchment, San Jose (cross-checking), Demitra, Blues (tripping), Heins, San Jose, double minor (roughing), 19:46. Third Period Pronger 4 (Johnson) 3:12 (pp) San Jose: Nolan 1 1 (Suter, Stuart) 13:31 (pp) Penarbet: Eastwood, Blues (holding stick), Khavanov, Blues (interference), Heins, San Jose, double minor (high-sticking), Eastwood, Blues (holding stick), 18:56.

SHOTS ON GOAL BLUES 13 9 830 SAN JOSE 3 10 417 Missed penalty shot Varlamov, Blues, 5:11, second. Power-plays Blues 2 of San Jose 2 of 6. Goal tenders Blues, Johnson 14-8-2 (17 shots-15 saves). San Jose, Nabokov 16-13-5 (30-24). Officials Referees: Bill McCreary, Kevin Pollock.

Linesmen-. Darren Gibbs, Brian Mach. 17,496. 3 in the first period, experienced back spasms during practice Monday, but the Blues made a game-time decision to play the rookie defenseman. I m'm'ml 1 league so great It's what you've got to love about the NFL that this can happen.

And that gives hope to a lot of young players out there." After so many lean seasons in the 1990s, the Rams organization now is reaping an embarrassment of riches. Warner's latest honor gives the Rams three straight MVPs: Marshall Faulk won last season, and Warner won in 1999. The Rams currently have the best record in football (14-2) and are about to begin pursuit of their second Super Bowl title in three seasons. "It's overwhelming," team owner Georgia Frontiere said. "It's just staggering to have so much happen at once.

It's hard to handle. Who would have thought it? I believe what Kurt always says that God makes it happen. It doesn't happen just by chance." When asked what made Warner special, Frontiere said, "He's just a versatile individual. He probably helps around the house. He probably does a lot of really nice things as a husband and a fa ther.

I think he's everything a woman could want" ni Nabokov knocked away the puck. Sharks captain Owen Nolan tried to grab the puck, but instead knocked it into the goal. Previously the worst road power-play unit in the NHL, the Blues took a 4-0 lead with Young's goal one second after the first power play ended. Young banked his second-period goal off San Jose defenseman Bryan Marchmenf skate. San Jose answered with a power-play goal and then gave the Blues a 5-on-3 to tinker with.

With 23 seconds remaining in the two-man advantage, Pronger faked a slap shot from the high Slot and steered a pass to Mellanby. The defense froze. Mellanby zipped a pass to Demitra, and he chipped in his 21st goal Prongers power-play goal, which he took a Pronger stride short of center ice, just made sure the Blues wouldn't flirt with the bottom of the league's power-play rankings for awhile. With 4:20 remaining in the game, Shawn Hems' stick blade caught Young above his left eye during a faceoff. Young left the ice and did not return.

He got stitches above his eye and was in the hospital overnight Mike Van Ryn, who was a plus- We will gladly donate The Blues' Dallas Drake (left), Sergei Varlamov and Jamal Mayers night at San Jose. Drake scored two first-period goals. your papers to Newspapers in Education (NIE), a program that uses newspapers in the classroom to encourage students to read and to learn about current events. If you would rather receive the newspapers you Going missea, wewiiiaeiiverinefiiiuyuuwiieiiyuuieiuiii em oi town Call (800) 365-0320, ext 8888 for more inf onnation. ST.

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