PRO FOOTBALL : Rams Notebook : Second Effort Pays Off for Atlanta’s Riggs

The Rams mildly protested the second of Gerald Riggs’ three touchdowns, claiming he was stopped before lunging over the goal line on a second effort.

Riggs, who was hit in mid-air by linebackers Jim Collins and Mike Wilcher, said: “I came down on my feet and just jumped toward the end zone and hoped they hadn’t called it dead yet.”

The Falcons wouldn’t have had another chance. It was fourth down, and that made it 17-0.

“They (the Rams) didn’t argue it,” Riggs said. “I didn’t argue it, either.”

Even the crew that handles the yard markers for the Falcons couldn’t recall the last time they had seen a first-and-seven situation away from the goal line.

It happened on the Falcons’ final drive when Dave Archer passed 23 yards to Charlie Brown at the Rams’ 26-yard line and another receiver, Billy Johnson, was penalized 15 yards for clipping after the whistle.

After a long consultation, referee Bob Frederic placed the ball at the 41 and called it first and seven.

It had something to do with the spot of the foul. You make the call.

The Rams had a few breaks:

- In the first quarter, Falcon linebacker Thomas Benson knocked the ball out of quarterback Dieter Brock’s hand as he brought it down. A Falcon recovered but Frederic ruled it an incomplete pass.

- In the second quarter, linebacker David Frye dropped an easy interception with an open field in front of him.

- In the third quarter, Archer fumbled the snap for a chip-shot field goal, and defensive tackle Mike Pitts intercepted a Brock pass but fumbled it right back to the Rams.

- Finally, Falcon receiver Stacey Bailey was open in the end zone but dropped Archer’s perfect toss.

On the flip side, Ram receiver Bobby Duckworth dropped a Brock pass in the end zone, but it wouldn’t have been a touchdown because two Ram linemen moved before the snap.

When you’re 1-9, the fans can get mean. During Sunday’s game against the Rams, someone hired a plane to fly over Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and provide this message:

“Keep Bart--Waive Henning and Braatz.”

The banner referred to quarterback Steve Bartkowski, who is on the team’s minor injured reserve list. There is speculation that Bartkowski may be released as soon as he is healthy enough to come off the list. Dan Henning is the coach and Tom Braatz is the general manager.

Once again the Falcons failed to attract much interest in Atlanta. Only 29,960 fans attended the game. Falcon officials said 14,069 tickets were issued but not used. At one point, Falcon fans attempted ‘The Wave,’ but it soon failed upon reaching the numerous empty seats.

The Rams increased Atlanta’ league-leading sack total to 48 when Mel Owens, Mike Wilcher and the combination of Doug Reed and Charles DeJurnett dropped Archer for losses.

Brock was sacked four times--linebacker John Rade getting credit for two--to run his season total to 35.

Said Atlanta linebacker John Rade of the Falcon 30-14 victory over the Rams: “Everybody is entitled to lose and we’re entitled to win.”

Despite an efficient performance against the Rams and a starting job, Archer said he’s still not secure in his position.

“I need to come around or I’m not going to be around.”

The Rams left Atlanta with two injuries. Center Doug Smith and cornerback Gary Green will have their hips X-rayed today.