Crucial Interceptions Put Cromwell, Johnson Back Into Ram Limelight

For the past six years, Nolan Cromwell and Johnnie Johnson have been the cornerstones of a vaunted Rams’ defense. They were the starting safeties, the stars of the secondary and opponents thought twice about passing their way.

This season, however, is different. Johnson, who had been a starter since his rookie season in 1980, suffered a knee injury in training camp and lost his free safety spot to Vince Newsome. And Cromwell, a seven-year starter, had one interception and had broken up just one pass play in the Rams’ first six games.

The once dynamic duo had been more a footnote than a highlight in 1986.

But the old guard made its presence felt again Sunday in Anaheim Stadium with two interceptions that helped lift the Rams to a 14-10 victory over Detroit. Lion quarterback Eric Hipple was the victim of the Rams’ veteran 1-2 punch, with Cromwell getting in his shot early and Johnson coming through in the final seconds to squash a Detroit rally.

Cromwell intercepted a Hipple pass and went 80 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. And Johnson got another with 23 seconds remaining.

Cromwell happened to be in the right place at the right time, but his 80-yard touchdown run earned him a game ball and the No. 1 spot on the Rams’ all-time interception return yardage list with 682 yards.

The Lions had good field position after Dale Hatcher was forced to punt from his end zone and they had driven 18 yards to the Ram 21. On third and four, the Rams blitzed and Hipple quickly threw over the middle . . . right to Cromwell.

“He was laying in the weeds and I didn’t see him,” Hipple said.

That’s exactly what Cromwell hoped would happen.

“I was covering a back who stayed in to block,” Cromwell said. “I just stayed there and Hipple never saw me. His view was blocked by a lineman. They like to run inside routes and I knew one of their plays against the blitz was a slant pass to the wide receiver.”

Johnson, who was covering the intended receiver, Carl Bland, said he realized Cromwell would score as soon as Hipple threw.

“Nolan stepped in front and I knew my man had six points,” Johnson said, smiling.

Cromwell got a chance to congratulate Johnson twice. Once after Johnson stripped the ball away from Lion running back James Jones at the Rams’ one-yard line and linebacker Mel Owens recovered. And again a few minutes later when Johnson intercepted a Hipple pass at the Ram 22 with the game on the line.

“At that point, I was glad to see anybody make the play,” Cromwell said. “But it was especially nice that it was Johnnie. People don’t realize the pressure he’s under, having to prepare to play so many different positions every week.”

Johnson, who is the No. 1 backup at cornerback and both safety positions and who also plays in the Rams’ nickel and dime defenses, played all of the second half at cornerback after Jerry Gray hurt his ankle.

“I’m in a position now where I have to take advantage of every opportunity,” he said.

He did just that. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Lions drove to the Rams’ two-yard line. Jones was heading up the middle when Johnson met him near the line of scrimmage. As they went down, Johnson reached in and wrenched the ball free.

“I was thinking about creating a turnover,” he said. “I got my hand on the ball and it came out and we got out of that jam.”

But the Rams were in another one a few minutes later. The Lions, trailing by four points, got the ball back with a minute left and Hipple hit three quick passes to move 42 yards to the Ram 40.

“They only had about 30 seconds left and no timeouts, so I knew they’d be going up the field,” Johnson said. “I read the route and knew I had the interception, but (linebacker Mike) Wilcher got a hand on the pass. I was praying he didn’t knock it down.”

After Wilcher tipped it, the ball floated into Johnson’s hands.

He’s not one to complain, but Johnson thinks he has something to prove. And he hopes somebody noticed his accomplishments Sunday.

“I’m trying to win back my starting job, but I’m coming in the back door to do it,” he said. “I’m playing out of position, but hopefully this will make people take note and see that I’m still a good football player.

“Nolan and I talked after the decision was made (to start Newsome) and I just wanted to make sure I could still make a contribution to this team. I don’t know if they think I’m the player I once was, but they’ve got me in the game a lot, which proves they still have faith in me.”

Cromwell and Johnson think they are more than just reminders of a glorious yesteryear. And they think Sunday was proof that they’re not quite ready for retirement.

“We’ll be here until they decide to move one of us out, which, of course, we hope isn’t too soon,” Johnson said. “We’re good football players who still have a lot to contribute.”

Eric Hipple, for one, isn’t going to argue with that.