Kemp to Face Former Teammates : Montana Hurt; Rams to Play Without Brock and Collins
The Rams and the San Francisco 49ers, teams with a long and storied rivalry, will meet again tonight at 7:30 in an exhibition game at Anaheim Stadium.
So much for the hype. Don’t expect this to be much of a preview of the race for the NFC’s Western Division title.
“We’ll be sandbagging each other,” Ram Coach John Robinson said, half-jokingly. “I don’t think it will be an artistic performance.”
It certainly doesn’t make sense to show your best stuff in August, and besides, these teams couldn’t show it if they wanted to.
The 49ers will be without quarterback Joe Montana, who sprained an ankle in practice last Wednesday. Former Ram Jeff Kemp will start in his place.
The Rams, on the other hand, lost two key starters in their 17-14 loss to the Houston Oilers Aug. 5.
Linebacker Jim Collins aggravated a shoulder injury and is out indefinitely.
Quarterback Dieter Brock suffered cartilage damage in his left knee and had arthroscopic knee surgery Aug. 12. He’s not expected back for at least three weeks.
Getting the start at quarterback for the Rams will be veteran Steve Bartkowski, who will play the first half before giving way to Steve Dils.
“It’s exciting to line up again,” said Bartkowski, who was released by the Atlanta Falcons last season. “When you come as close to having your career being over as I did, you’d be excited if you were lining up against 7- and 8-year olds down in the municipal leagues.”
Ram Notes
This is the 27th exhibition game between the teams, the Rams leading the series, 19-7. . . . Wendell Tyler, the former Ram, is having knee problems. The 49er tailback, who had late-season surgery in 1985, had his right knee drained this week, and the team is worried that the injury may affect his performance this season. . . . The Rams must cut their roster to 60 Tuesday and then to 50 by Aug. 26. . . . Other Rams who will miss tonight’s game with injuries include wide receiver Chuck Scott (shoulder) and tight end Tony Hunter (knee). . . . Running back Eric Dickerson, who injured a toe in practice last week, will start and play more than a couple of downs, Robinson said.
