NFC Championship Notebook : Chicago Is Warming Up for Big Game--in the 40s

The weather has turned the Rams’ way in Chicago. It hit a high of 36 degrees for their game-time practice at Soldier Field Friday, with a bright sun and little wind. The flags around the rim of the stadium were limp most of the time.

Forecast for today was a high of 43, for Sunday 44, with no precipitation in sight. However, the wind is far less predictable than the temperature and could affect the NFC championship game more.

“I don’t know what the temperature is, but you really don’t need gloves,” Ram safety Nolan Cromwell said. “You really don’t need anything extra. It’s fantastic weather to play ball in.”

Said Bear Coach Mike Ditka, tongue in cheek: “If it’s hot, we’ll make the best of it.”

Ram Coach John Robinson, picking up the cue, said: “Our team’s disappointed about the weather. The intricate game plan we had prepared was based on zero degrees. We screwed up. We’ll have to adjust.”

Friday’s fair conditions gave Robinson the break he was looking for in coming to town early: a good day for the last serious practice.

Robinson’s only concern was security. He and members of the NFL’s security force kept a watchful eye on anyone who hadn’t been cleared--an indication that the Rams will have a new wrinkle or two for the Bears Sunday.

A professional biorhythm scientist in Los Angeles charted key players and the head coaches of both clubs and sent along word that it should be a good day for the Rams.

“Robinson is on a triple high, and Ditka is on a low,” the report said.

Concerning the AFC title game between Miami and New England, the chap said that Dolphin quarterback Dan Marino also was on a triple high.

For last-minute inspiration, the Rams will go to sleep tonight with visions of victorious underdogs dancing in their heads.

Dominic Frontiere, husband of Ram owner Georgia Frontiere, brought along a print of “Rocky IV” for a private viewing near the Rams’ hotel tonight.

“Just so it’s not ‘Rocky I,’ ” Robinson said. “He lost a close one that time.”

Walter Payton and Eric Dickerson had separate press conferences after the coaches Friday night and were asked similar questions.

About what great running backs have in common, Payton said: “Determination. They aren’t satisfied with one long run. They want to do it again and again.”

Dickerson was asked if Payton had been his boyhood idol.

“No,” he said, “I always wanted to run like O.J. He’s still my hero.”

Robinson, told that the Bears will try to counter Ron Brown’s speed by assigning world-class hurdler Willie Gault to the kickoff coverage unit, said that sounded like a good idea.

“The only question is, will Willie tackle him?” Robinson said. “Maybe he’ll just race him and try to beat him to the goal line.”

NFC Notes

Chicago players will practice at 10 this morning at Soldier Field. The Rams are scheduled to take the field at 11:30. . . . It is the contention of many Bear players that the Ram offensive line is doing a lot more holding than should be allowed. Wide receiver Dennis McKinnon made mention of that this week. “Linemen don’t need stickum, they hold anyway,” he said. “And the Rams do a better job than anybody.” . . . Bear Coach Mike Ditka, comparing Ram running back Eric Dickerson with the Bears’ Walter Payton: “Dickerson is one of the great runners to play the game. But he doesn’t do as many things as Payton. But they don’t ask him to do as many things.” And Chicago offensive tackle Jimbo Covert said of Payton: “He’s the best there is, no doubt. There are people who may think otherwise, but they don’t know what they’re talking about. If you block the way you’re supposed to block, he makes a long run.”