Rams ’87 : PREVIEW SECTION : 40 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE RAMS

1 The Ram advisory board includes the daughter of the President of the United States, Maureen Reagan; an evangelist and former member of the Fearsome Foursome, Rosey Grier; a lord, Lord David Westbury, and a major league baseball owner, Seattle’s George L. Argyros.

2 Possible contributions from the advisory board:

Reagan--An ‘in’ at the White House.

Grier--Needlepoint lessons.

Westbury--Guided tours during the London exhibition trip.

Argyros--How not to run a franchise.

3 Most likely to hire a chauffeur: Dennis Harrah. The affable offensive guard has a knack for slight fender benders. After a recent photography session with a national sports magazine, Harrah shifted his vehicle into reverse . . . and smacked into the photographer’s parked car. Said Harrah sheepishly: “I hope this story is worth it.”

4 That the players’ nickname for vice president-finance John Shaw, who deftly negotiates Ram contracts (often below market value), is “Squiggy.”

5 In a striking departure from past media guide covers, the Rams decided to feature four feet and three knees on their 1987 issue. Bonus points to anyone who can correctly describe what the cover represents.

6 Pro Football Hall of Fame member Tom Fears, an end with the Rams from 1948-56, soon will receive his first pension check from the NFL. Fears, one of the many pre-1959 players who were once ineligible to earn an NFL pension, will get $540 each month for life.

7 The first eight Ram opponents this season combined for a 66-60-2 record in 1986. That’s the bad news for Ram fans. The good news is this: Ram second-half opponents were 54-69-3 in 1986.

8 Five players with something to prove:

Dale Hatcher, punter--After a memorable rookie season, Hatcher’s gross average plummeted from 43.2 yards a kick to 38.6 yards in 1986. On a team that prides itself on special-teams excellence, Hatcher’s numbers were disappointing and unexpected. He also had six fewer kicks inside the 20 last season, despite 10 more attempts.

Jim Collins, linebacker--A pinched nerve in his left shoulder kept him out of the lineup the entire 1986 season. His return could help determine just how well the Ram defense functions.

Eric Dickerson--Though he has become one of the most prolific runners in NFL history, Dickerson remains (compared with other players in the league) a bargain. He knows it. The Rams know it. Now what? Dickerson has hinted that his performance may suffer if a substantial raise isn’t soon included in his paycheck. The drama continues.

Mike Wilcher, linebacker--Wilcher went from 12 1/2 sacks in 1985 to 5 1/2 sacks last season. Now he finds Kevin Greene continuing a push for playing time. Time to produce or sit.

Ron Brown, wide receiver--Will this be the season Brown develops into a consistent, healthy receiver? And are four seasons too long to wait?

9 Annoying Ram game-day traditions:

--Owner Georgia Frontiere on the Ram sidelines. (Name another NFL owner who kisses players.)

--The usual assortment of brawls in the Anaheim Stadium section of your choice.

--Instant-replay attempts on the feeble, outdated Anaheim Stadium scoreboard. An Etch-A-Sketch provides better reproduction.

10 If we had to choose the next Ram offensive superstar: Tom Newberry, offensive guard.

11 If we had to choose the next Ram defensive superstar: Vince Newsome, strong safety.

12 Figure this one out: The Rams have retired only one uniform number: appropriately, No. 74, worn by defensive lineman Merlin Olsen. In supposed semi-retirement are No. 7 (Bob Waterfield), No. 40 (Elroy Hirsch) and No. 85 (Jack Youngblood). The Rams simply don’t issue these numbers to new players. Enough is enough. Do it right--honor Waterfield, Hirsch and Youngblood with official jersey retirement parties.

13 The Rams gave up Kent Hill, William Fuller, two first-round draft choices and a fifth-round pick to the Houston Oilers for the rights to quarterback Jim Everett. Everett was worth it, say the Rams. As for Hill, he is expected to start at right guard for the Oilers. Fuller finds himself behind Ray Childress at left defensive end. But according to head coach Jerry Glanville, Fuller has been one of the most impressive linemen of the entire training camp. Houston used the Ram 1987 first-round pick on North Carolina State receiver Haywood Jeffires. Jeffires is listed behind 1,000-yard receivers Ernest Givens and Drew Hill. Jeffires will play often in the Oilers’ four-receiver formation. Houston also has a first-round and fifth-round pick in 1988.

14 Quote to forget:

--”This guy’s played in 30-below, on ice and in broomball shoes. If you ever got to Green Bay in December, he can play.” Agent Gil Scott, who represented former Ram quarterback Dieter Brock. This was the same Brock who, when faced with 39-degree weather and 28-m.p.h. winds in the 1986 NFC championship game against the Chicago Bears, completed 10 of 31 passes for 66 yards and one interception. The Rams lost, 24-0.

15 Perhaps it might be better for all concerned if owner Georgia Frontiere didn’t play scout anymore. Her last known venture involved Paul Thornburn, a Welsh rugby player whom Frontiere granted a one-game contract during the Rams’ trip to London this summer. Frontiere first heard of Thornburn while dining with a friend, John Rendall, vice president of the London Welsh Rugby Club. “She said, ‘Let’s have a look,’ ” Rendall said. So they did, and during a practice session, Thornburn kicked the ball into the backside of Hank Goebel, a Ram reserve tackle. It was his first, and presumably his last, field goal attempt.

16 Who holds the Ram record for best passing efficiency in a single season? Nope, Dieter Brock (59.7%, 218 of 365 in 1985).

17 Of Eric Dickerson’s 55 career rushing touchdowns, nine have come against the Atlanta Falcons and six against the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And if he had his druthers, Dickerson probably would prefer weekly games against the St. Louis Cardinals. In three appearances, Dickerson has averaged 6.6 yards per carry, 175 yards per game and scored four touchdowns. He has yet to score against the Cleveland Browns, Raiders, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins.

18 Read closely: Only six NFL players who were never drafted, have played at least eight years, and have been selected to at least one Pro Bowl were active in 1986. One of them was a Ram. The answer is?

Doug Smith, center. This is Smith’s 10th season.

19 Besides Eric Dickerson, the one player the Rams can’t live without is . . . cornerback LeRoy Irvin. He has had two straight Pro Bowl seasons and 26 career interceptions and was the 1985 recipient of the Daniel F. Reeves Memorial (MVP) award and an All-NFL selection. 20 Three Ram myths we’d like to dispel:

--That owner Georgia Frontiere can’t afford to pay her players.

--That all Ram players and agents hate VP John Shaw (they don’t; they just hate what he stands for).

--That John Robinson is conservative. (He actually took a chance on Dieter Brock, hired Ernie Zampese, and voted for Eugene McGovern for President . . . just kidding on the last one.)

21 That covering the Rams for the Los Angeles Daily News is none other than Steve Rosenbloom. No, it’s not the same son of Carroll who was later fired by Georgia.

22 Three reasons the Rams love to beat the 49ers:

--Bill Walsh

--Bill Walsh

--Bill Walsh.

23 John Robinson will scream if you:

--Call Bill Walsh a genius.

--Mention that Bill Walsh has won two Super Bowls.

--Ask him what Bill Walsh is really like.

24 Eric Dickerson has never missed a game because of injury. (He missed two games in 1985 during a contract dispute.)

25 Most underrated players: Offense: Irv Pankey (allowed 3 1/2 sacks in the last two years, never made the Pro Bowl). Defense: Vince Newsome (led Rams with 113 tackles while making $99,000 in 1986).

26 Most charmed Ram: Mickey Sutton (made team last year because of Henry Ellard holdout, will make it this year because of injury to Clifford Hicks).

27 Our pick for Ram rookie of the year: Clifford Hicks.

28 Did you know. . . . that Henry Ellard, with a 12.86 yards per return average, is the NFL’s all-time leading punt returner?

29 Did you also know that this will be the first year that Ellard will receive contract incentives for leading the team in punt returns?

30 Whom we’d pay to hear do NFL commentary on television: Dennis Harrah.

31 Three things the Rams won’t do this season:

--Run a draw play on third down and 39 yards.

--Turn to the Canadian Football League for help.

--Renegotiate LeRoy Irvin’s contract.

32 Two Ram assistants who deserve head coaching jobs in the NFL:

--Fritz Shurmur (maybe the NFC’s best defensive coordinator).

--Dick Coury (former USFL coach of the year who came this close to getting an NFL head coaching job).

33 Three reasons why the Rams won’t renegotiate LeRoy Irvin’s contract.--He signed it.

--They saw it.

--That settles it.

34 If the Rams win the Super Bowl, expect to see Jim Everett on:

--The “Tonight” show.

--”The Late Show.”

--The “Today” show.

35 Three things we’d like to see happen:

--Georgia Frontiere granting an interview.

--John Shaw granting an interview.

--Jay Zygmunt granting an interview.

36 Three places world traveler Mel Owens has never been:

--An Ernest Hemingway fact festival.

--The famous swimming of the piranha in Uruguay.

--Cleveland.

37 Did you know that in the 1983 NFL draft, the Rams picked up current starters Eric Dickerson, Henry Ellard, Mike Wilcher, Vince Newsome and Doug Reed?

38 Did you know that only one player remains from the 1984 draft? Norwood Vann.

39 Three new places the Angels suggested for the Rams to play their home opener:

--John Shaw’s back yard.

--The 405 interchange with the 55.

--Irwindale.

40 That the Rams will finish 12-4, win the NFC West and lose to the Giants, 21-20, in the NFC title game.