[Elvis]

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/buck-die ... 226c0.html

Buck, Dierdorf blast Kroenke during police fundraiser

By Christine Byers



ST. LOUIS • Football Hall of Famer Dan Dierdorf on Tuesday joined the public critique of Rams owner Stan Kroenke, who wants to move his team away from St. Louis.

Dierdorf, iconic sportscaster Joe Buck and baseball legend Ozzie Smith appeared before a crowd of about 650 as part of what has become an annual tradition for the trio during the annual Police Foundation luncheon at America's Center.

Buck opened the gathering by calling the location, "Stan Kroenke's garage." Last week, Buck slammed Kroenke on social media, making headlines.

But it was Dierdorf's comments that stood out.

The men took questions from members of the crowd — one of whom asked what it takes for a city to keep its football team.

"I think it's also the team's responsibility," Buck said. "And this team has been terrible. It's always a new year with the same result. I think that's asking a lot of an average fan to get excited about going to a game when they can sit at home and get it on high definition. ... Your team has got to be competitive and dynamic. They don't even have anyone they can put on a billboard right now."

Dierdorf seconded Buck's sentiments, saying, in part, that he likes Kroenke, but believes he "dropped the ball" on this one.

"I wish the Rams would have tried harder to be part of the community, and extended more of an effort over the years that they've been here, especially when we have an owner who won't even talk to a city who gives him so much," Dierdorf said.

Dierdorf asked the crowd if they knew the last time Kroenke spoke publicly. Many shook their heads no. Dierdorf reminded them it was in 2012 when he announced the hiring of head coach Jeff Fisher.

"With all that is going on in our community, how is that possible?" Dierdorf asked. "Kroenke has turned Bill Bidwill into a chatter box."

Bidwill, also known as a man of few public words, is the owner of the Arizona Cardinals. He moved the Cardinals to Arizona after St. Louis refused to build a new stadium. Dierdorf said St. Louis should have done more to keep the football Cardinals then.

He noted that the city now is investing in a variety of ways to "deal with problems across the board."

"And when you see a man like Kroenke whose net worth is something like $15 billion, that's a hard sell," he said. "Wouldn't you love for Stan to say something? I like him, but I think he dropped the ball on this one. We deserve to be treated better than we have been treated."

Buck said marketing can help offset less-than-stellar seasons, and cited the Blues as an example. Even though fans are frustrated by the team's inability to bring home a Stanley Cup, Buck said the community knows its owner Tom Stillman "wants the team to be great."

"Doing things like bringing Brett Hull back, that's investing in the community," Buck said. "I'm sorry, but nobody in L.A. is going to line up on the 405 freeway to watch football."

Buck explained that he, like his late father, believe in the type of investment a new stadium could bring to the city and not just in the novelty of having a professional football team here.

If the Rams leave, Buck said it would be "crippling" to St. Louis.

"There is not enough happening here, and to become a non-NFL city is frightening," he said.

Smith remained silent on the issue.

[Elvis]

"There is not enough happening here, and to become a non-NFL city is frightening," he said.

Hell of a sales pitch Joe...

[TSFH Fan]

Hochman talked about the city being emasculated, now Buck talks about crippling . . . we're talking about the number THREE team over there, right?

"crippling" "frightening", yes StD, embrace the St. Detroit moniker that has been bestowed upon you, embrace your suck destiny!

. . .or redevelop the Riverfront under Plan B, modernize and promote tech businesses and move on. Either, or, really.

[bubbaramfan]

Dierdorf talks about how bad the Rams are. If that is such an issue, why did St. Louis want the Rams in the first place? they were a losing team then, worse than they are now. Losing seasons for five straight years from '90 to '94. the most games they won in that time was 6 games. Make any excuse you want, except the REAL reason the Rams are moving, the city of St. Louis and the CVC dropped the ball, again. Luring a losing team with the promise of fixing the bungalow they will have to play into a top tier facility, knowing full well they never intended to honor that promise, and then blaming in on the owner is bullshit. At the last minute they offer to build a brand new stadium, under the authority of the CVC, who reneged on a previous contract? Get real. What businessman would get into another contract with someone who has proved contracts don't mean shit. If I was Stan, I would be on the roof of the last truck leaving town with my pants down showing them my winking brown-eye.

[bluecoconuts]

Nobody is going to line up on the 405 to watch an NFL game Buck? Funny, since there doesn't seem to be any issue at LA Live.. The Blues however struggle to sellout playoff games, and the Rams, well we all know. You know what they say about people in glass houses...

[snackdaddy]

Are they even trying to convince the Rams to stay? Bad mouthing the owner is not the way to do it. Unless they've conceded and they think bad mouthing him while he's on the way out will make everyone feel better. One man's trash is another's treasure. St. louis hates the guy. LA loves him. No offense st. louis, but I'd rather have LA loving me than you.

[Elvis]

New city motto: St. Louis, There's Not Enough Happening Here.

The city should pitch it that way at the next owner's meeting, really show 'em what a great NFL market St. Louis is...

[BuiltRamTough]

New city motto: St. Louis, There's Not Enough Happening Here.

The city should pitch it that way at the next owner's meeting, really show 'em what a great NFL market St. Louis is...

Lmfao died!

[max]

New city motto: St. Louis, There's Not Enough Happening Here.

The city should pitch it that way at the next owner's meeting, really show 'em what a great NFL market St. Louis is...

Yeah. Gotta put that up on Twitter.

[SoCalRam78]

St. Louis is a declining midwest city with or without the rams.

Keep whining Buck, your desperation is delicious.