Ram Notebook : New Look Doesn’t Change Philosophy
Everyone seems convinced that the Rams are a changed team, one that has traded power and pounders for dashers and dancers.
So where have all the plowers gone? Eric Dickerson is now driving a Colt. Block-mate David Hill, tight end and runaway train, was released at season’s end and is now motoring in Detroit.
The Rams replaced these parts in part with first-round draft choices Gaston Green and Aaron Cox, two speedsters whose combined weight might equal one David Hill.
There was something to be said for girth, and the Rams had been saying it for years.
But the 1988 Rams are a different animal. Speed is in; cholesterol is out. The philosophy has changed. Everyone is saying it. Everyone except Coach John Robinson.
“It’s not and it never will,” Robinson warned doubters Tuesday at the opening of minicamp. “Sure, I’d like to be a top 10 passing team and a top 10 running team. But they’re not in conflict. They’ll only be in conflict if your tight end can’t block. Our philosophy is we expect to run a lot better in a lot of ways.”
Robinson does present, in his defense, the National Football League defending rushing champion, Charles White, and a successful, run-dominated coaching style that dates back to his days at USC.
Still, the move to speed can’t be denied. The team’s top three offensive draft picks--tailback Green and receivers Cox and Willie Anderson--are blessed with great speed and little size. Green is the biggest of the three at 5-feet 10-inches and 189 pounds.
But Robinson says the key to maintaining a powerful running game is finding a replacement for tight end Hill, a great run-blocker who apparently was too much of a receiving liability to keep on the roster.
The best blocking tight end left is Damone Johnson, Robinson said. Others in the hunt are Greg Baty, Jon Embree and newcomer Pete Holohan from the Chargers.
“It’s a huge issue, whether they can block,” Robinson said. “There is no alternative. If we don’t block, we automatically fail.”
Cornerback LeRoy Irvin, who only days ago seemed a 100-to-1 shot to answer a minicamp roll call, bounced through workouts Tuesday with an apparent renewed lust for life and the Rams.
Irvin, whose contract problems have been well-chronicled, apparently is ready to kiss and make up with management. Robinson told Irvin last month that he would not be welcomed back without a considerable attitude adjustment.
“He’s back,” Robinson said. “When he came back last year (after a one-game suspension), he played well. We expect the same thing this year.”
The coach, however, isn’t completely sold on the new Irvin.
“Time and consistency will be the indicator,” Robinson said.
Ram Notes
The only official no-show Tuesday was guard Tom Newberry, who reportedly is protesting the lack of progress on his contract renegotiation. Newberry is subject to a $500 daily fine.. . . Fullback Mike Guman, guard Duval Love and wide receiver Henry Ellard missed workouts because of illness. Love and Guman are not expected to attend camp this week, but Ellard, who is recovering from chicken pox, is due in today. . . . NFL rushing champion Charles White, who was the best buy in town a year ago, when he made just $150,000 but earned an extra $250,000 in incentive bonuses, reportedly will receive a 50% base pay raise in 1988 to $225,000, with about the same incentive plan. . . . No, Ron Brown’s uniform (No. 89) has not been retired. In fact, it has been handed over to rookie receiver Aaron Cox. Brown retired last month after four seasons to resume a track career. . . . Add numbers: Eric Dickerson’s old uniform (No. 29), sacred in the eyes of some, was issued Tuesday to a free-agent safety named Phillip Frasch of San Jose State. . . . Defensive end Gary Jeter was working out Tuesday in preparation for his 12th NFL season. Jeter, 33, had pondered retirement but decided to give it one more year. “I still love to play football,” he said. “I talked to (Coach) John (Robinson) about it. It’s not so much that I love to play as it is I still can play.”
