When Brock Needed Them, Where Were Those Pro Bowlers?

It’s never a good sign when your quarterback spends more time on the ground than an agronomist. But there was the Rams’ Dieter Brock, learning more about the Anaheim Stadium turf than any man deserves to know.

Each grass stain (and there were enough to keep a laundry busy for weeks) told a different tale. Those 40 insignias that decorate the Ram jerseys? On Monday, the number stood for how many years Brock aged.

Brock finished the evening with 14 completions in 28 attempts. Not bad, right? Fifty percent. But those 14 receptions accounted for only 159 yards and no touchdowns. Subtract the yardage after Brock was reacquainted with the ground and the total drops to 110 yards.

Sympathy cards can be sent in care of the Rams.

“I think the reason we lost the game was because of a lack of efficiency,” Ram Coach John Robinson said. “We made some errors and we suffered the price for it.”

Brock did his best to survive a game that saw the Ram offensive line, the one with four Pro Bowl selections (though center Doug Smith is on injured reserve), allow six sacks. He also weathered an offensive attack that was heavy on conservatism and short on originality. There hasn’t been a thirdand long invented that the Rams won’t try a run.

“I think we got kind of afraid in those situations,” Brock said of the frequent third-down plays.

It was suggested that Brock, who called his own plays while in the Canadian Football League, be given the same freedom with the Rams. Brock would have none of that.

“I think I’m not really concerned about the play calling,” Brock said. “I just feel like we could open it up a little more.”

Brock did what he could Monday. At times, his passes were released moments earlier, the better to avoid the rush. No luck. Visits to the outside of the passing pocket resulted in instant disaster. Brock’s scrambling ability is rarely described as nimble or agile.

Instead, Brock became good friends with Mitch Willis, Greg Townsend, Reggie McKenzie and Rod Martin. This would have been fine, except that they play on the Raider defense, though you would have never known it Monday night.

Those are just the guys Brock saw. Inches away was Raider defensive end Howie Long, who earned the attention of two and often three Ram offensive linemen.

“I don’t care what people say, but Howie Long is the quickest human I’ve ever seen on the defensive line,” Ram guard Dennis Harrah said. “He’s ugly, but he’s one of the quickest human beings.”

The Rams gained 3.24 yards for each pass. Those kind of numbers should ease the worries of the Rams’ divisional playoff opponent, the Dallas Cowboys.

Better yet, consider the first-half effort by the Rams. Brock had time to throw four passes. He completed one attempt for 14 yards, which is nice except he was sacked for 23 yards worth of losses.

Asked when he last endured such an unproductive two quarters, Brock could only shake his head. “I can’t remember,” he said. “It’s been a long time.”

Despite the problems, and there were many, the Rams trailed only 6-3 after two periods. Then came an apparent Ram touchdown midway through the third quarter. In a cleverly disguised play, Brock found tight end Tony Hunter open near the Raider 10-yard line. Hunter eased into the end zone and suddenly a half’s worth of frustration and ineffectiveness had been forgotten.

That was before a penalty flag fluttered to the ground, and wide receiver Ron Brown was called for pass interference. The Rams settled for a field goal and a tie.

“That’s probably called one in 100,” Robinson said of the penalty.

Brock began the game as the NFC’s No.2-rated quarterback. His ranking should drop, but his own assessment of his rookie season remains unchanged.

“I felt like I played well most of the time,” he said. “It’s obvious I didn’t tear up the league or anything. We have been pretty successful throwing the football. We need to do it a little more.”

Of course, he needs assistance, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed.

“You can’t blame the quarterback,” tight end David Hill said. “He’s not running the ball, blocking them. He’s just throwing it.”

And learning about the Anaheim Stadium drainage system . . . the names of the Raider defensive linemen . . . the meaning of cautiousness.