TAILBACK TRIO : White, Green and Bell Give Rams and Robinson Plenty of Options
It disturbs John Robinson that some people have long ago locked his coaching philosophy in a box and thrown away the key.
You know Robinson, the coach who never met a tailback he didn’t like to run into the ground. OK, so he once ordered the ball into Ricky Bell’s hands 51 times during a game while the two were at USC.
And OK, Robinson pretty much did the same thing with Eric Dickerson and, more recently, Charles White with the Rams. Still, Robinson thinks the stereotype is unfair.
“You want to make use of what you have,” Robinson said.
In that spirit, the Rams are in the process of unveiling their new three-tailback attack to the football world.
Robinson, dispelling his legacy as a one-tailback man, says he’s going to make full use of Charles White, Greg Bell and Gaston Green.
You might call it replacing Dickerson by committee.
“There may be a game where one guy gets 20 carries and the other guys get four,” Robinson said. “Or there will be games when each get 12. I will go by feel.”
He offered a sneak preview Friday night, when all three backs shared in the Rams’ 31-24 win over the San Diego Chargers:
--White started the game and carried the ball 12 times for 33 yards.
--Bell had 13 carries for 71 yards.
--Green had 11 carries for 73 yards.
Robinson said he has no problem with this kind of equal-opportunity employment.
“Sometimes people try to put you in boxes,” he said, “like you don’t want more than one back or that you don’t really want to pass. But if you wanted to put me in a box, I think the common thread would be that I’ve always had pretty good defenses.”
Still, what Robinson has now are three backs who, if lumped into one, would probably add up to one super back in the caliber of, say, Dickerson.
White is the tough inside runner, durable and strong. Bell is the better receiver. Green has the speed to score on any given play.
“They complement each other,” Robinson said.
Who needs camp? Left guard Tom Newberry raised some age-old questions about the necessity of training camp after he turned in a fine half of work against the Chargers. Newberry returned to the team Wednesday after a 34-day holdout.
“Tom was very good,” Robinson said. “It was surprising. This whole thing’s ruining training camp.”
Added Newberry after the game: “I really didn’t feel like I was gone.”
Ram Notes
The Rams will make final roster cuts tomorrow, although Coach John Robinson said most of the decisions have already been made. It doesn’t look good for backup quarterback Hugh Millen or fullback Donald Evans, the team’s second-round choice in 1987. . . . Among those likely to be placed on injured reserve are special teams star Tim Tyrrell (hamstring) and rookie offensive tackle R.C. Mullin (back strain).
The Rams will wait a few days before making a decision on injured punter Dale Hatcher (knee), who thinks he might be back for next week’s opener against Green Bay. . . . The Rams received some good news on cornerback Cliff Hicks, who broke his left leg returning a kickoff in the second half. It turns out there was only a crack in the bone, and Robinson said Hicks will certainly be back this season. . . . Rookie Gaston Green will probably replace Hicks as the Rams’ new kick returner.
Outside linebacker Kevin Greene continues to wreak havoc on opposing defenses. Friday night against the Chargers, Greene had three tackles, three sacks and one tipped pass. He also rescued the Ram defense late in the fourth quarter with a key six-yard sack of Charger quarterback Mark Malone. Greene said the defense will only get better. “We got the wagon rolling,” Greene said. “We’re pushing the wagon, but it weighs about 50 tons. By the end of the season, this wagon will be cookin.’ ”
