It was a tough finish for Rams, but the best team won

It's been a depressing week for Rams fans, many of whom are still bumming over the way the team's season ended.

I can't tell you how many people I've run into who said they were literally sick after the Patriots pulled off a stunning 20-17 upset in last Sunday's Super Bowl.

To those people who get physically ill over a sporting event they're not directly involved in -- excluding somebody who might have just dropped a bundle of cash -- I say get a life.

And I also say give credit where credit is due.

Sure, it's easy to bash the Rams for not winning it all after appearing ready to join the ranks of football's all-time elite squads.

But you have to admire the Patriots, not only for the year they had but for their Super Bowl performance.

I know, the Rams had a huge edge in total offense and the Patriots did little offensively except after turnovers, save for that final, winning drive.

But New England's game plan all along was to avoid mistakes, play solid, bend-but-don't-break defense, force a few turnovers and take advantage when those opportunities did arise.

The Patriots worked that plan to perfection to build a 17-3 lead. Then, after the Rams stormed back for a late tie, young Tom Brady showed the poise of a 15-year veteran in driving New England to its winning field goal.

And was there ever any doubt that Adam Vinatieri would boot that 48-yard kick squarely through the uprights? He continues to stamp himself as one of football's all-time clutch kickers. Without that 45-yarder in the snow against the Raiders, New England would not even have been playing last Sunday.

All season, the Patriots simply found a way to win no matter what the situation and even when it appeared as if they had little chance. Maybe there is something to this team of destiny thing.

As for the Rams, they can perhaps take solace in the fact they participated in what is being called one of the best Super Bowls, as was the case two years ago when St. Louis won it by beating the Titans. And reaching football's ultimate game twice in three seasons is no small accomplishment.

And as for Rams' fans, they can perhaps take solace in the fact their team has already been established as a solid favorite to win next year's Super Bowl.

That should keep people from getting too sick.

Winter isn't over yet, but Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team is ready to open its season.

The Indians, who have been picked second in the OVC's preseason poll behind Austin Peay, begin the season with a three-game series Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Oklahoma.

Southeast faces a powerhouse non-conference schedule with nationally prominent programs Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Wichita State, Illinois and Arkansas, along with regional notables Missouri, Southwest Missouri, Memphis and SIU.

Since the OVC rarely receives an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, Southeast coach Mark Hogan believes playing this type of non-league schedule will give the Indians a shot if they end up not winning the OVC tourney but have a strong team, as he anticipates.

Former Southeast placekicker and punter Jason Witczak was recently signed by the Titans and assigned to the NFL Europe spring developmental league.

Witczak, an all-American punter during his only season with the Indians in 2000, was signed as a free agent by the Titans last year before being released in the preseason.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian