Rams Get Away With Holding, Bears Aide Says

The Chicago Bears started crying foul against the Rams six days before their NFC title showdown Sunday.

“The league is letting them get away with holding,” defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan told Don Pierson of the Chicago Tribune. “I mean, Dallas has got to be sick. If they’re going to let them get by with holding us, like they did Dallas, there’s no way we’re going to win.

“I mean on run plays, not passing . . . reaching out, grabbing people, pulling them down, turning them. Shoot, that ain’t football, that’s pro wrestling.”

Ram guard Dennis Harrah, told of Ryan’s remarks, said: “I think we’re the cleanest offensive line in the league. Some of the holding I see going on around the league is ridiculous. I am totally astounded by what the man said.”

Mike Singletary, the Bears’ All-Pro middle linebacker, hoped that Sunday’s game at Chicago would be officiated by the same crew that worked the Rams’ wild-card game against the Giants last season when the Rams were called five times for holding, twice on running plays.

“If we get the same referee they had in that game, we’ll be all right,” Singletary said. “He had the guts to call some holding.”