Rams : Chargers Give Scrimmage a Physical Appeal

Rams Coach John Robinson didn’t need to review the film of Thursday’s scrimmage against the San Diego Chargers to determine if it was a worthwhile afternoon.

“It was great fun and a great workout,” Robinson said. “A scrimmage like this gives you some sense of who likes to play the game.

“You have to remember there’s more to it than just techniques. In a scrimmage like this, you can look in players’ eyes and see who enjoys the physical part of the game.”

The Chargers made sure it was a physical afternoon. They are breaking in a pressure-oriented defense, and though they didn’t use any starters, this was the first opportunity to give it a full-speed workout.

The teams worked in two sessions, seven-on-seven followed by 11-on-11.

One player who caught Robinson’s attention was rookie quarterback Hugh Millen of Washington.

Robinson didn’t comment on Millen’s throwing (8 for 17 for 84 yards in the 11-on-11 scrimmage), but said he liked the way the rookie bounced to his feet after being decked by a San Diego pass rusher.

Robinson said he didn’t pay a lot of attention to his quarterbacks. Millen, however, appeared to have the best day of the four who participated. He was 4 for 5 for 65 yards in the 7-on-7 scrimmage, and was the only quarterback who was used in the later 11-on-11 scrimmage.

In the seven-on-seven workout, Dieter Brock was 4 for 9 for 69 yards; Steve Dils, 5 for 7 for 74 yards, and Steve Bartkowski, 2 for 9 for 29 yards.

Robinson said he was impressed by the pass blocking of guards Tom Newberry and Duval Love and the rushing of Lynn Williams, who ran nine times for 91 yards, including a dash of 51 yards.