Rams fans have put the heat on Warner

My grandpa used to tell me, "Son, you change your mind more than I change my underwear." I don't really know if that means I change my mind a lot or he just doesn't change his underwear.

But no one changes their minds more than Rams "fans."

Remember when Kurt Warner was 0-6 last year? The "fans" were calling for his job. They said Marc Bulger was the new hero, but they didn't know Warner was playing hurt. He was playing badly (0-6 as a starter), but he was playing badly hurt.

Since, he has battled back with good numbers in the preseason (23-for-26 for 198 yards and a 98.2 passer rating). Evidently he didn't lose his ability to throw.

Perhaps Warner's recent success has exonerated him with Rams fans but no player has been set up for a more disastrous season than Warner.

The pressure for Warner to continue to play well is tremendous, especially with Bulger hovering around playing clipboard-boy on the sidelines.

If Warner survives this season and the Rams play well, it will be more miraculous than their campaign in 1999.

Martz silenced a quarterback controversy before it started by naming Warner the starter in training camp, but he still has a short leash.

Isn't it ironic that a man with as much faith as Warner now clings to the faith others have in him.

Warner and the Rams start the season in New York against the Giants on Sunday but there is plenty more to do in your week ahead:

Todayn The area high school boys' soccer season is scheduled to open today, if it's okay with the weather. Central travels to Jackson at 7 p.m.

Wednesdayn Central and Jackson meet less than 24 hours later just down the street, this time in a softball contest at 4 p.m.

Of course, if you're really in the mood just to see some softball why not go to the Notre Dame Softballfest? Four games in under four hours, starting at 4 p.m.

Thursdayn The Notre Dame Soccerfest begins, and if you liked what you saw Tuesday you won't want to miss this: Central vs. Sikeston 4 p.m.; Jackson vs. St. Pius, 5 p.m.; Poplar Bluff vs. Carbondale, Ill., 5:30 p.m.; Notre Dame vs. Marion, Ill., 7 p.m.

Fridayn Heartland Goofball Friday takes a road trip tonight but you can read all about the area's season-opening games in Saturday's Southeast Missourian. A big first-week matchup features Jackson at Sikeston. Also, head over to Notre Dame again for the semifinals of the Soccerfest.

Saturdayn Speaking of pressure ... Southeast Missouri State opens its home football season. The television commercials, billboards and newspaper boys have been hyping the Indians (they're still the Indians) all summer. Now, it's time to go see for yourself: SIU at Southeast at 6:30 p.m.

David Wilson is a sportswriter for the Southeast Missourian and a student at Central High School. His column "The Week Ahead" appears every Monday, except on Labor Day.