Rams : Despite Perfect Record, the Hard Work Begins
With two exhibition wins behind them, the Rams face their most intensive workouts of the 1987 training season before playing their next game Aug. 23 against the Chargers in San Diego, Coach John Robinson said Friday.
Their trip to London might well have been fun and games, but the Rams will get back to the rigors of two-a-day drills today.
“We’ve had only five days of training camp with the veterans,” Robinson said. “We need to do the brutal things to prepare for the season, things we haven’t had enough of.”
Robinson said the next two weeks of heavy hitting will make or break the Ram season.
“Jim Everett desperately needs 10 days of training camp,” he said. “He ought to be standing out there 45 minutes before practice, saying, ‘Look at what a chance I’ve got.’ So should Dennis Harrah.”
Linebacker Mark Jerue underwent surgery at Inglewood’s Centinela Hospital Medical Center Friday morning to repair a torn ligament in his left knee. The revised estimate for recovery is six to eight weeks.
Jerue was injured on the play before Seattle quarterback Dave Krieg’s 37-yard touchdown pass to Steve Largent in the first quarter of the Rams’ 23-14 victory over the Seahawks. Jerue stayed on the field for a play after the injury.
Linebacker Carl Ekern, who hyper-extended his right knee Thursday night, was walking without a limp Friday, complaining only of stiffness and soreness. Robinson, though, will handle Ekern’s return with care.
“I have no intention of Carl playing before he’s well,” Robinson said.
Team doctors are still saying that cornerback Clifford Hicks will be out for four weeks with his separated shoulder, though Robinson isn’t so sure.
“He was in a lot of pain,” Robinson said. “I’m worried about it.”
Reserve guard Tony Slaton had his knee examined Friday and may have to undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove a floating piece of cartilage. He would have to sit out two to three weeks.
Give Don Evans a chance: That’s the plea of John Robinson, who has thrown his first pick right into the action at defensive end, with less than impressive results. Evans made one tackle Thursday night.
“Donald has had four practices in his pro career,” Robinson said. “It’s not quite right to judge him just yet. We naturally tend to do that.”
Robinson wants Evans to lose 10 to 15 pounds before the season opener.
“The first step is to get him into great physical shape,” Robinson said.
Ram Notes The Rams released running back Rod Emery, safety Daryl Henry, wide receiver Keith Tinsley, tackle Lloyd Brown, kicker John Power and linebacker John El-Masry. El-Masry, a free agent from Duke, refused to leave the Rams’ training complex after being notified of his release. According to the Rams, he said he has an ankle injury and, according to NFL rules, could not be released. El-Masry was bothered by a slight ankle sprain all during camp but played in the exhibition game in London. He also claimed that he was better than Ram linebackers Norwood Vann and Mike Wilcher. . . . El-Masry’s case reminded Jack Faulkner, a Ram administrator, of a time in Denver when a player camped outside his dormitory room after being released by the Broncos, refusing to leave even when denied access to training camp meals. “Some players sneaked him out some food for a while,” Faulkner remembered. The player left soon after. . . . Coach John Robinson was most impressed by the play of linebackers Larry Kelm, who had an interception, two tackles and an assist, and Richard Brown. . . . Reserve quarterback Hugh Millen looked good in the fourth quarter, completing all four of his passes for 61 yards. . . . The Rams had five interceptions, each by a different player. Four were thrown by starter Dave Krieg and the other by reserve Jeff Kemp. The interceptors were Jerry Gray, Mickey Sutton, Johnnie Johnson, Michael Stewart and Kelm.
