Steve Dils Is in His Usual Position--as Backup : However, It’s in Atlanta, Not Anaheim, So Rams Will Sign Herrmann as No. 2
Steve Dils assumed his rightful place as a backup quarterback Tuesday, the only problem being that the place is now in Atlanta, not Anaheim.
Much to the surprise of the Rams, Dils was claimed Tuesday by the Falcons, the same team that acquired Hugh Millen, another Ram cut, just minutes after his name was placed on the waiver wire Monday. That left Coach John Robinson with a grand total of one quarterback, Jim Everett, but with another one, Mark Herrmann, just a signature away.
The Rams announced Tuesday they had agreed to contract terms with Herrmann.
“I would assume Mark would be activated (today),” Robinson said. “He will be our No. 2 quarterback.”
This isn’t exactly what the Rams had in mind when they first dangled Dils’ name on the wire Monday. They figured it was a safe gamble, a move that would allow them to protect someone such as free-agent linebacker Brett Faryniarz or special teams standout Tim Tyrrell and still retain Dils. What they didn’t count on was Falcon offensive coordinator Rod Dowhower, a Stanford coach during Dils’ days there, plucking him from the waiver list.
“We’re surprised that both quarterbacks were picked by Atlanta, but obviously we’re happy Mark Herrmann is here,” Robinson said. “We saw him as an acceptable alternative within the realm of what could happen, and we had planned for it.”
Not long ago, the Rams were considering a trade with the Indianapolis Colts: Herrmann for receiver/track aspirant Ron Brown. Good thing that fell through. Now they get Herrmann, who fell quickly out of grace with Colt Coach Ron Meyer, for next to nothing, though they lose Dils in the transition.
Herrmann is familiar with Ernie Zampese’s new Ram offense, which is little more than the San Diego Chargers’ old offense. Herrmann played for the Chargers for three seasons (1985-87) and did well enough to earn praise from then-starter Dan Fouts. Fouts, now a television football analyst, recently called Herrmann the best backup he ever had.
Now Herrmann finds himself behind young Everett, the same guy he helped recruit to Purdue. “It’s amazing how things worked out,” he said.
A regular odyssey, actually. He was the Denver Broncos’ quarterback of the future until John Elway arrived and made him the quarterback of the past. Then he became a Colt. And then a Charger. And then a Colt again. He became expendable this summer when Meyer decided to go with Gary Hogeboom, rookie Chris Chandler and Jack Trudeau.
“I think this is better for me,” he said. “I feel good in this situation. There, I don’t know where I would have fit in.”
Meanwhile, Dils becomes Chris Miller’s understudy in Atlanta. The Falcons needed a veteran backup after Scott Campbell went down. So when Dowhower saw Dils’ name available, he suggested the Falcons make the move.
Dils, as a vested veteran, could have vetoed the deal and, by doing so, become a free agent. The down side of that is he would have been unable to sign with the Rams this year or next. Also, there was always the chance that no other team would care for him or his 10 years of league experience.
“(The Falcons) told me they wanted me to come down and help them with their young quarterbacks,” Dils said. “It’s a good situation; they wanted me.”
Just in case, Dils asked the Falcons for a guarantee of sorts: If he OK’d the move, would they keep him for the full season? Of course they would, Dils said he was told.
Dils has until 4 p.m. today to change his mind, but don’t count on it. He planned to board a red-eye flight late Tuesday in order to be in a Falcon uniform for today’s practice.
Had Dils not been claimed, Robinson said the Rams would have reactivated him to the roster. His absence creates some minor problems.
For instance, who becomes the holder for field goals and extra points? Dils used to be the guy. His replacement before Monday was none other than Millen. And remember that kickers are funny about that sort of thing.
As for the unthinkable--Everett and Herrmann getting hurt--Robinson said fullback Buford McGee, or possibly cornerback Jerry Gray, would become the emergency quarterback. Robinson also indicated that a third quarterback may be added to the Ram roster as the season progresses.
Ram Notes
Running back and special teams player Tim Tyrrell (hamstring) will be added to the injured reserve today when Mark Herrmann is expected to be signed. Tyrrell will miss at least four games. Had the Rams made the move before the final cutdown day, Tyrrell would have had to miss six games. . . . Punter Dale Hatcher (knee) will probably join Tyrrell on the injured reserve list. The Rams were hoping Hatcher would be ready by Sunday’s season opener against the Green Bay Packers. No such luck. “He looked like a 100-year-old man,” Coach John Robinson said. “He needs some more time.” A replacement hasn’t yet been determined.