Brock’s Support Wavering : Robinson Says He’ll Announce Starter Thursday

Dieter Brock’s main supporter may be wavering.

Ram Coach John Robinson, who sought Brock when he left the Canadian Football League, persuaded the Rams to sign him and has defended him against critics this season, said Monday: “When we start back (practicing) Thursday we’ll have an announcement about the quarterback position.”

It could be a Brock-buster.

Robinson apparently is considering a switch to backup Jeff Kemp because after Sunday’s 29-3 loss at New Orleans, Monday night’s game at San Francisco “becomes as big a game as we’ve ever played,” he said.

“We have the second-best record in football--and we’re in deep trouble.”

The Rams, with a 9-4 record, lead the 49ers (8-5) by a game in the NFC West, with three to play.

“I haven’t decided anything yet,” said Robinson, who used Kemp in relief at New Orleans. “We have to sit down and evaluate where we are . . . the best thing for us to do for the team. We’re at a point where we have to have a remedy for the problems.”

Robinson did not tell the quarterbacks he was contemplating a change. They learned that from reporters later, and Brock said he expected to remain the starter.

“I’d be surprised if I wasn’t,” Brock said. “But I’m surprised that he has to make a decision. I feel like I’m playing all right.”

The prospect of playing excited Kemp, who said: “I would love to play the 49ers. I’d love to get back at those guys.”

The third quarterback, Steve Dils, said: “I’d be surprised if I was one of the candidates, but if he’s throwing it up, I’ll take it.

“I’m surprised because (Robinson) has gone to bat for Dieter so hard all season. Dieter’s gotten a lot of bad raps, especially the rap about him not being able to read (defenses). He reads very well.”

The Rams, however, have lost four of their last six games and Robinson said: “Most of our problems center on our offensive performance, which was pathetic (at New Orleans). Our passing was terrible.

“The performance of the quarterback wasn’t much different than the performance of the group. That burden has to be shared by all of us.”

Robinson said that in seven years as a head coach at USC and three with the Rams, he had never taken a starting quarterback’s job away. He pulled Vince Evans from the Notre Dame game in 1976 but then started him in the Rose Bowl against Michigan and Evans was voted player of the game.

Robinson yanked Brock, who had been sacked six times, when he threw an interception early in the fourth quarter at New Orleans.

He sent in Kemp, who last season started the last 13 games and the wild-card playoff after Vince Ferragamo had broken his passing hand. Kemp also started against the New York Giants a month ago when Brock needed surgery to have a kidney stone removed, then returned to his backup role.

Sunday, Brock completed 5 of 10 passes for only 46 yards and lost 38 yards in sacks. In relief, Kemp completed 5 of 8 for 82 yards and was sacked three times, fumbling twice.

Robinson said Brock’s sacks were partly the quarterback’s fault, partly the fault of poor blocking. He has been dropped 48 times this season. Ram quarterbacks were sacked only 32 times last season.

“We have to make sure he gets the proper depth (in his drop back) and gets the ball off on time,” Robinson said. “I don’t know if it’s the kidney thing or what, but he’s not getting enough depth on some occasions.”

Jackie Slater, offensive tackle and captain, said: “I don’t think there’s a guy in our offensive line that thinks (Brock) couldn’t get the job done. But I’ll say this: I’ve been with Coach Robinson for three years and he hasn’t made too many bad decisions. If he does (change quarterbacks), you’d better believe he’s got a good reason, and it’s the best thing for this football team.”

Of Sunday’s game Slater said: “We had a lot of breakdowns in the pass protection. I don’t care who the passer is. He wouldn’t have much of a chance back there.”

Brock said: “I’ll accept whatever (Robinson) does. There’s not much I can say about it.”

Kemp said: “It’s an interesting situation with three quarterbacks with different abilities, all at different stages of their careers.

“I’m not lobbying for myself,” he added. But he cited his virtues as “my ability to set up quickly and get the ball off and, if things break down, scramble.”

He also had some ideas about the way the Rams should play offense.

“Any quarterback will say we’ve got to throw more and be more aggressive,” he said. “I think more than anything else, we’re falling into predictability in our offense. We’ve got to get out of a mode where we’re kind of fearful.”

Kemp pointed out that the Rams installed a new passing offense in special spring workouts but have remained basically a running team.

“There’s a lot of importance to having the type of running game (Robinson) teaches, but people catch up with you there,” Kemp said.

The players will have today and Wednesday off because they will not be playing until next Monday.

“I’d like to practice Wednesday if we’re playing the 49ers,” Kemp said, joking. “I certainly don’t need any rest.

“I’ll spend some time thinking about it, and I’ll have butterflies driving in Thursday.”

Before he left Rams Park Monday, Kemp had an afterthought.

“I’m gonna get some 49er film that I probably wouldn’t have gotten. I’ll be prepared for this game, in any event.”

Ram Notes Ram Coach John Robinson met with AWOL wide receiver Bobby Duckworth Monday and apparently is considering disciplinary action. “I’ll have a statement,” Robinson said. “We’ll work out what we’ll work out.” Duckworth missed the trip to New Orleans last weekend. . . . Eric Dickerson took advantage of the extra day off this week because of the Monday night game next week and went home to Sealy, Tex. He had permission to miss the review of the New Orleans films Monday. . . . Center Doug Smith returned home Monday after spending Sunday night in a New Orleans hospital because of a concussion. . . . Robinson characterized the Rams’ failure to run a successful quarterback sneak with Dieter Brock on fourth and a foot Sunday as “very deflating.” He said: “In my three years (with the Rams), I don’t think we’d ever missed on a quarterback sneak.”