Rams Win in Their Tried and True Fashion : Despite Everett, Defense and Dickerson Get Job Done Against Saints
It was supposed to be the beginning of the Jim Everett Era Sunday at Anaheim Stadium, but the Rams’ 26-13 victory over the Saints had the distinct look of one of those wins from the Dark Ages.
This was vintage B.E. (Before Everett) Rams’ football, just like the pre-savior days of September and October. The guy with the goggles dragged a slew of Saints for 116 yards in 27 carries and the Ram secondary came down with the passes of New Orleans’ quarterback Dave Wilson almost as often as his intended receivers.
Everett was OK, but Eric Dickerson and four interceptions is the way the Saints spelled defeat Sunday evening.
Last week, the Ram defensive backs may have been caught up in the wave of enthusiasm created by Everett’s splash debut. They did more spectating then defending and gave up 341 passing yards--including the 25-yard Hail Mary pass that beat them--to Tony Eason and the New England Patriots.
Sunday, they were back to their pre-renaissance standards, however, with 10-year veteran Nolan Cromwell reminding his cohorts in the backfield how to win Ye Olde Rams’ way. One week was enough to determine that this San Diego Chargers imitation (you know, score 40 points and lose), wasn’t going to play in the NFC West.
The Rams had a 10-6 advantage at halftime when Cromwell and Co. decided that it was time for the old-fashioned defense to fashion a win.
On the second half’s first play, Cromwell reached in and yanked the ball away from Saint fullback Buford Jordan. Reggie Doss fell on the ball for the Rams at the Saints’ 22-yard line and six plays later, Everett ran into the end zone to put give the Rams a 17-6 lead.
Four minutes later, Cromwell made a leaping stab of Wilson’s pass over the middle and picked his way 21 yards to the New Orleans 24. The new-and-improved Ram offense lost six yards on this possession, but Mike Lansford’s 47-yard field goal made it 20-6.
Cornerback Mickey Sutton, a rookie who made the team only because Henry Ellard’s holdout left the Rams without a punt returner, was next to get caught up in that old-time feeling. He caught a Wilson pass and returned it 20 yards to the Saints’ 20.
The offense stalled again, but Lansford hit a 29-yarder and the Rams were rolling, 23-6.
Ram Coach John Robinson spent the first five minutes of his postgame press conference explaining why he was so pleased with Everett’s play, and then quickly added:
“Nolan Cromwell had an outstanding game and Mickey Sutton controled the outside receiver in the nickel defense. They both made big interceptions in the third quarter when the momentum swung our way.”
Gee thanks, Coach.
The play of his secondary may come as a second thought to Robinson, but they have been a primary reason in the Rams’ success thus far.
“We take pride in our ability to take the ball away,” Cromwell said. “This time, we got some points out of our turnovers and that was the key.”
Gee thanks, offense.
“We don’t feel we have to try and do something that’s not us,” Cromwell said. “We stay within our scheme. Our zone is tough when you have to throw the ball downfield.”
Cromwell is as happy as anyone about Everett’s emergence. He’s glad to see a new dimension in the Ram offense. But he’s not exactly overjoyed with the Rams’ new rotating-safety system designed to give Cromwell, Johnnie Johnson, Vince Newsome and Tim Fox almost equal playing time.
“I was in and at the right place at the right time today,” said Cromwell, who got his second interception in the fourth quarter when linebacker Mark Jerue tipped a Wilson pass into the air right in front of him.
“But this is a tough adjustment for all of us. It’s frustrating at times because everyone wants to play. You just get in the flow and then you’re out of the flow. We’ve been doing it about a month now, but it’s still mentally tough.
“But, hey, it’s a coaching decision.”
Sutton knows all about coaching choices and admits he wondered if Robinson might choose to drop his name from the roster when Ellard returned.
“I knew Henry would get his job (returning punts) back and it crossed my mind that I might be the odd man out,” Sutton said. “But I never let it get to me. I just tried to keep my spirits up and be ready if my number was called. (Sutton started because a quadricep injury kept Fox from playing.) It was nice to get in today and make a contribution.”
The Rams’ secondary, in particular, and defense, in general, have been making contributions of the huge variety for so long, nobody seems to notice anymore.
“I guess you can say we’re just doing our job,” Newsome said, shrugging. “In essence, the job of the defense is to get the ball back. . . . That’s our sole objective. We play hard, stay focused and try to make something happen.”
Sunday, Ram receivers caught only three more passes than the guys in the defensive backfield.
Now that’s the type of ratio we’ve come to expect from Ram quarterbacks. Who knows, maybe the bad ol’ days are back. Defense and Dickerson . . . it just has a certain ring to it.