JIM COLLINS : Yes, It’s True: A Star Is Being Born in Rams Defense
Like it or not, the Ram defense soon may have to accept the inevitable--that a star of sorts is in its midst.
For the Rams, who take considerable pride in repeating company lines about teamwork and such, this is a strange and foreign situation. A star? Couldn’t be. Didn’t Jack Youngblood retire?
Fritz Shurmur, the designer of the Rams new 3-4 defense, delights in saying that his is a system of roles and role players. “In a structured defense like ours, it allows a little less in expression of a player’s individual talent,” says Shurmur.
In short: no Lawrence Taylors, no players who have a license to experiment.
But then, the name of linebacker Jim Collins is mentioned and Shurmur becomes a public relations man, tripping and stumbling over compliments.
“I’ve felt that over the last couple of years, he’s played as well as anybody in the league and better than most,” said Shurmur, talking as if he was reviewing his son’s report card. “When you go to select guys who are All-Pro, you’ve got to look at those areas that are critical--how they play the run and how they play the pass and how consistently they do it.
“He does that and makes plays in difficult situations better than anybody. I don’t see anybody who does any better than what he does as an inside linebacker in the National Football League.”
It is difficult to determine Collins’ worth by his statistics alone. Sixty-eight tackles--what does it mean?
Instead, consider his role and his performance. He leads the Rams in tackles, which is appropriate since the 3-4 defense is designed to showcase its linebackers, especially the ones who play inside. Carl Ekern, the other inside linebacker, is second in total tackles.
Collins receives praise for more subtle actions. He has demonstrated the knack of versatility which, in the age of specialization, is refreshing. Pass defense no longer is a foreign concept to Collins. And among the Rams, only Collins and linebacker Mike Wilcher can claim at least one sack, interception, pass deflection and fumble recovery.
“And his tackling ability is unsurpassed,” says Shurmur.
Still, when considering the likely candidates for attention, Collins finishes behind the high-profile secondary members: Nolan Cromwell, Johnnie Johnson, Gary Green and LeRoy Irvin. And when The Sporting News decided to devote an upcoming photo cover to the Ram defense, it chose the secondary rather than the linebackers.
Fine, says Collins, who is used to such oversights. “I think it is a case where a lot of guys are playing outstanding this year,” says Collins.
There it is again--that Ram-issued humility.
Collins was selected as an alternate to the Pro Bowl last season, an indication of his growing reputation around the league. He found his way onto several post-season All-Pro teams, but it may have been New York Giants linebacker Harry Carson who did the most to enhance Collins’ standing. It was Carson, a first-team Pro Bowl selection in 1984, who said the starting position should have gone to Collins.
“I think that’s one of the ultimate compliments,” says Collins. “I thought that was real nice of him. Harry Carson is a great player and he’s been in the league a lot longer than me and had a lot of great years. Last year was only my second year starting, so I’m not going to say I should have went to the Pro Bowl instead of Harry Carson.
“As far as All-Pro, that’s a lot more than how you play. It’s a lot more involved . . . how much publicity you get, popularity and this and that. Players vote on it, I vote on it, but I don’t know who is having good years or not.
“Take a guy like A.J. Duhe. He played two games (actually 12, eight of them as a starter) last year and got voted to the Pro Bowl.”
Collins is hesitant to discuss his performance this season. He allows that he is doing a much better job in zone pass coverage and, no, he doesn’t have any personal goals he’d like to share. He spends considerable time describing the on-field exploits of his teammates and little time to his own efforts.
It has become the Ram way.
“I’m not going to say I don’t want recognition,” he says. “All I’m saying is that I don’t dwell on it. My main concern is to help us win the division and go on to the playoffs. We don’t have, like, one big superstar.”
The lack of marquee personnel could work against Collins once more this season. Add to that the Rams’ poor timing. Just when the Ram defense had earned some attention, along come the San Francisco 49ers and a 28-14 victory over the previously undefeated Rams.
“I think we have to go out each week and prove ourselves time and time again,” says Collins. “At the end of the season we’ll look back on it and I think we’ll get the respect we deserve.”
Perhaps that will go for Collins, too.
Rams Notes The Rams activated guard Dennis Harrah Friday. He’ll start at right guard against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Anaheim Stadium. “I think it’s going to be great,” says Harrah. “I’m just looking forward to be playing. I’m going to give it 100% and hope it holds up.” To make room for Harrah on the 45-man roster, Coach John Robinson waived running back Lynn Cain, who had been claimed earlier in the season after the Atlanta Falcons released him. Cain played for Robinson at USC . . . Back-up safety Eric Harris is listed as doubtful for the game against the Saints. A back injury is the cause. Robinson said he expects Harris to return in time for next Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. . . . Harrah responded to a Los Angeles Herald Examiner story that quoted Raiders defensive lineman Howie Long as saying: “No way I look like Harrah. That guy has no calves, or thighs. He has the skinniest legs I’ve ever seen on a 270-pound man. Huge upper body, but pins for legs.” Said Harrah: “Howie Long’s got no room to talk. I’ve seen him in the shower. Tell Howie I’ll see him the last game of the season. I’ve got something for him.” Added Harrah: “I’m going to save something in the bag of tricks for Howie.”