Like Rubber Ball, He Bounces Back : Laughlin Has On-Again, Off-Again Relations With Rams

You may not know Jim Laughlin. Linebacker . . . Ohio State grad . . . sometime L.A. Ram.

Laughlin is the guy who nearly called it quits last week. Actually, the Rams called it quits for him and then changed their mind.

“Can’t get rid of you, can we?” said placekicker Mike Lansford as Laughlin returned to Rams Park on Monday.

“Nah, guess not,” Laughlin said.

This is not the first time the Rams have handed Laughlin a pink slip only to later ask for its return. In less than three month’s time, Laughlin has been released, re-signed, released and re-signed. Ram locker room attendants may want to consider writing Laughlin’s name in pencil rather than bothering with the more ornate nameplate.

Laughlin specializes in mercenary football. Need someone to hurl their body into a blocking wedge? Fine, says Laughlin. Perhaps a nice tackle is required? Laughlin for hire.

“I’m not going to be a starter on any team unless guys get hurt,” Laughlin said. “That’s obvious now after playing six years. There’s too many other good players around the league. I’ve bounced around, so my job is to be a good special teams player and a solid backup in case anybody goes down. You just have to accept it.”

No offense, but Laughlin isn’t exactly Coach John Robinson’s first choice when it comes to backup linebackers. On the weekly depth chart for tomorrow’s game against the San Francisco 49ers at Anaheim Stadium, Laughlin’s name is nowhere to be found.

“He’s been one of the most competitive players we’ve had,” said Robinson politely when asked about Laughlin. “He’s a very intelligent man and I think he understands what’s going on.”

With that resounding endorsement in hand, Laughlin goes about his business of surviving in a profession that is chock-full of undersized 6-foot-1, 222-pound linebackers. He has bridled his pride before: as a three-year bench occupant for Woody Hayes at Ohio State and again with the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers and now the Rams.

The Falcons, understandably impressed with Laughlin’s All-Big 10 performance during his senior season, chose him in the fourth round of the 1980 draft. He would start six games as a rookie, seven games in 1981 and then disappear. Change in management. “Dan Henning (the new head coach) came in and got rid of us, so to speak, marginal players,” Laughlin said.

On to the Packers, who claimed Laughlin on waivers in 1983. He did well on Green Bay’s special teams and even started one game. The Packers rewarded him by typing his name on the waiver list. Again, new management. “Same thing,” Laughlin said. “Bart Starr was there, but then he got fired. New guys made the team.

“I thought that was it for me,” he said.

Not so. The Rams, desperate for special teams help, signed Laughlin. He made appearances in the final three games in 1984. He returned for the Ram training camp this summer and waited for the inevitable release.

“I knew my chances weren’t that great making it here,” Laughlin said.

Laughlin lasted until the third exhibition game, a meaningless affair against the Philadelphia Eagles played, oddly enough, at Laughlin’s alma mater in Columbus, Ohio. By then, linebackers Mark Jerue and Ed Brady had solidified their positions as backup players. Also, Brady could snap for punts. Robinson offered Laughlin a choice: stay in Columbus and visit with family and friends or return to training camp and get cut. Robinson was trying to be nice. Laughlin returned to training camp.

And got cut.

Laughlin stayed in California. He became a regular at the beach. Later, he and his girlfriend spent a week driving up and down the coast. Another month was spent as a guest at Lansford’s house. Still no phone call from an NFL team.

“I went back to Atlanta, my home,” he said.

About three weeks ago, Laughlin was attempting to look comfortable in a three-piece suit. Job interview. The real world.

“I was talking to a guy over lunch about working for him,” he said. “The job was selling bonds and securities, that type of job.”

Laughlin, who received an NCAA scholarship in business, seemed interested enough. It was steady work and no one tried to maim you.

Midway through the meal, Laughlin was told there was a telephone call for him.

“My girlfriend called me at the restaurant and said (the Rams) called and that they want me to fly out. I said, ‘Yeah, what the heck. I guess I don’t need that job afterall.’ ”

The Rams cut him shortly after their victory over the Buccaneers. Robinson said he needed another tight end and, well, stay in shape and who knows what could happen.

“It’s part of the business,” Laughlin said. “It doesn’t make me happy. It’s disappointing, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”

Now he is back with the Rams. Linebacker Norwood Vann injured his knee against the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday and, as usual, Laughlin was available. If he stays on the roster for three games, Laughlin receives a season’s credit. For every season played, Laughlin increases his severance pay and pension. When you’re temporary help, that sort of thing matters.

Laughlin could be unemployed by next week. Offensive guard Dennis Harrah returns from the injured reserve list and Laughlin becomes a candidate for release. So noted, said Laughlin, who bears no malice toward Robinson and his playing status.

“It is kind of funny,” Laughlin said. “The guys make jokes about it, like I’m a yo-yo: gone and back, gone and back. I’d rather be here, but I’ll do whatever I have to do to get another few years out of the league, another year. I don’t know how long I’ll be playing. This could be my last year. I thought it would be my last year when I got cut in August. It’s all bonus for me right now.”

‘The guys make jokes about it, like I’m a yo-yo: gone and back, gone and back. I’d rather be here, but I’ll do whatever I have to do to get another few years out of the league, another year. I don’t know how long I’ll be playing . . . It’s all bonus for me right now.’