Rams ’88 PREVIEW SECTION : PROFILING THE 1988 RAMS

Willie Anderson

No. 83 Wide Receiver

As football nicknames go, Anderson’s isn’t going to frighten any defensive backs into retirement. In fact, any pro football player with the nickname Flipper would seem to need a good friend and body guard nicknamed Jaws. Anderson doesn’t look like a football player, he’s too skinny. He’s 6-feet and weighs all of 169 pounds. The one thing Willie is, is fast. He’s the fastest player the Rams have. And here’s a new twist, this fastest player can catch the ball. He had a 2-touchdown, 117-yard performance against the San Diego Chargers during the exhibition season. Greg Bell

No. 42 Running Back

Bell made his way to the Rams via the Eric Dickerson deal. He brought with him a 1,000-yard season with the Bills in 1984, a couple of good hands and a reputation for getting bruised about as easily as a banana. Sure enough, two games into his Ram career, Bell was lost for the season because of a shoulder injury. In 8 rushes he gained 26 yards--or 18 yards fewer than Tim Tyrrell, who spent most of his time on special teams. Bell ran well during the exhibition season, leading the team with 189 yards in 40 carries, and has earned a shot at being rotated with Gaston Green and Charles White.

Aaron Cox

No. 84 Wide Receiver

Cox is very fast and from Arizona State. Remember what happened the last time these elements hooked up with the Rams? Can you say Olympic training? Bux Cox doesn’t have those Ron Brown aspirations. He’s fast, but he’s not world-class fast. His strength as a receiver comes from his route running. Still, he’s a big-play guy. He was a three-year starter at Arizona State and averaged 19.6 yards on each of his 126 receptions. He, like Anderson, doesn’t look like a professional football player. Oh, Cox looks like a player, just one 17 years old. Robert Cox

No. 72 Tackle

So far, what we know about Robert Cox is that he’s big (6-5, 270) and he can play both guard and tackle. He played in 10 games last season after spending all of the 1986 season (his rookie year) on injured reserve. He is a backup for now. He’ll play behind Irv Pankey at left tackle. Still, he did lead all Ram offensive lineman in kickoff return yardage last season. Cox brought one back 12 yards against Cleveland. Rumor is that if he could have gotten just one block to spring him, he might have gotten 15.

Robert Delpino

No. 39 Fullback

No matter what Robert Delpino does this season, he has to consider 1988 a fortunate year. He made the team. He was fifth-round draft pick out of Missouri who arrived late to camp because he got lost (oh, that one). But he impressed coaches with his speed, hands and toughness. He’s the type of straight-forward runner John Robinson loves. He rushed for 107 yards in 19 carries and caught 9 passes for 85 yards during the exhibition season. If he keeps on that kind of pace, it will be the Rams who consider themselves fortunate. Carl Ekern

No. 55 Linebacker

The Ram defensive captain is in his 13th season, tying him with Jackie Slater for senior service on the team. Still his weight at the close of the exhibition season was 222, which is eight pounds lighter than last year. Bulk has never been an Ekern attribute, brains and speed have. Though some hint that he is slowing up at 34, he was third on the team with 59 tackles last season. The Ram media guide says he enjoys hunting and playing tennis, but it neglects to tell if he does them simultaneously.

Henry Ellard

No. 80 Wide Receiver

Unlike in the past few years, Henry Ellard was in uniform and good spirits for the exhibition season. Happiness is a warm contract. Of course, even in those seasons when Ellard wasn’t around, he always showed up in time to lead the team in receptions. He has led them in that category for the past four seasons. You might think in Ernie Zampese’s offense, Ellard’s numbers would increase. But this season there is Aaron Cox, there is Willie Anderson and Pete Holohan. All of which means more targets for Jim Everett. Still, the No. 1 target will remain Ellard.

Jon Embree

No. 87 Tight End

Those of you who tuned in for the Rams’ season opener against Houston last season were privy to the exclusive Jon Embree appearance of the year. He spent the remainder of the season (his rookie year) on injured reserve with an elbow injury. He’s an excellent receiver, who will play behind Damone Johnson and Pete Holohan. Embree’s biggest problem is his size. Unlike the 6-4 Johnson and Holohan, Embree is a measly 6-2. He did make nine catches in the exhibition season, including five against Denver.

Jim Everett

No. 11 Quarterback

With Eric Dickerson gone, the Rams’ chances for success depend on the Can’t-Miss Kid. Entering his third season, no one seems to question that Everett has all the tools to be great. But he has yet to do much with all this. He threw more interceptions (13) last season than touchdowns (10). His 68.4 rating was 24th among 27 NFL qualifiers. The strike especially hurt his progress in learning Zampese’s offense. But he did show flashes of brilliance upon his return. During the Rams’ five-game winning streak he completed 63% of his passes. Brett Faryniarz

No. 51 Linebacker

What do we know of this Brett Faryniarz? Well, we know his middle name is Allen. We know he played high school football in Rancho Cordova, which is a suburb of Sacramento. Brett went to college at San Diego State and was signed by the Rams as a free agent. He is listed behind Mel Owens and Kevin Greene for one outside linebacker spot. He made four tackles during the exhibition season.

Jerry Gray

No. 25 Cornerback

Time was when Jerry Gray would rather spread honey all over his body and lie down in the Gobi Desert than play cornerback. He was the Rams’ No. 1 pick in 1985, an All-American free safety from Texas. A year later, when the Rams inserted him at corner, Gray talked about his fears of being embarrassed. He talked about “having to learn the attitude.” He has learned, as his Pro Bowl appearances attest. His two interceptions last season--he had eight in 1986--might indicate that quarterbacks are afraid of being embarrassed by Gray. Gaston Green

No. 30 Running Back

The biggest question concerning Gaston Green has to do with survival. As in, what are his chances of . . .? He started his senior season at UCLA as a Heisman Trophy candidate, but that was short-circuited by a pinched nerve in his shoulder. That caused him to miss one game and play sparingly in two others. Still, he rushed for 1,098 yards. The Rams hope his game-breaking qualities can complement another pound-out-it season by Charles White. Green rushed for 188 yards in 49 carries during the exhibition season. A good receiver, the Rams hope he’s the home-run hitter to fill the void left by Dickerson. Kevin Greene

No. 91 Linebacker

Kevin Greene lives in Alabama. In Muscle Shoals. Coincidence? He grew up in Illinois. In Granite City. Happenstance? Greene’s success with the Rams owes a lot to the principle that bigger is better. Greene lifts weights religiously. At 238, he’s big enough to play defensive end, and he’s fast enough to defend pass routes as a linebacker. Considering the Rams’ shortcomings rushing the passer, Greene is a precious commodity. In 1986, he was second on the team with seven sacks. He had a team-high five in the preseason. Dale Hatcher

No. 5 Punter

Dale Hatcher was once told he was too nice to be a professional football player. Well, he made the Pro Bowl his rookie season, averaging 43.2 yards a punt. His average dipped a bit his second season (38.6), but he came back with a strong third season at 41.3. Hatcher is known for exceptional hang time on his punts--he’s had punts of 5.1 seconds during games--and placement. He put 19 punts inside the 20 last season. He will be unavailable until the fifth game of the season because of an injured left knee. Mark Herrmann

No. 9 Quarterback

Herrmann was signed just a few days before the season opener after backups Hugh Millen and Steve Dils were cut. Herrmann played in Ernie Zampese’s offense for two seasons (1985 and 1986) when they were together with the San Diego Chargers. Herrmann has some high-rent district NCAA records, including being the first quarterback to throw for 9,000 yards (9,946). He put in a couple years at San Diego, completing 66% of his passes (132 of 201) for 1,537 yards. Dan Fouts called him the best backup he ever had. Is that a compliment?

Pete Holohan

No. 81 Tight End

He has been described as the world’s largest safety valve and the perfect dump-off man. Not necessarily terms of endearment to the nation’s young-- Pop, when I grow up I want to be a valve!-- but they do describe Holohan. At 6-4, 232, he’s not going to set any land-speed records--not without something turbocharged around him--but he is dependable. In 1984, playing for the San Diego Chargers, he caught 56 passes. He spent seven seasons with the Chargers, where he played in Zampese’s system. LeRoy Irvin

No. 47 Cornerback

With Irvin and Gray at the corners, the Rams have one of the best tandems in the game. It very nearly became an ex-tandem. Less than a year ago, an unhappy Irvin packed his bags and said goodby in hopeful anticipation of a trade. But it fell through. He was eventually suspended for “conduct detrimental to the team.” He was reinstated a game later and played well, returning an interception 47 yards for a touchdown against Atlanta. Still, he predited he would not be back with the Rams. Well, he’s back. Mark Jerue

No. 59 Linebacker

Jerue has spent his first five seasons with the Rams trying to find an empty chair at a crowded table known as the Rams’ linebacking corps. In 1986, replacing then-All-Pro Jim Collins, Jerue had 109 tackles, second on the team. Last season he split his time between a knee injury sustained during the exhibition season, the NFL Players Assn. picket line and another knee injury in November. With a wealth of talented linebackers and a debit on the defensive line, the Rams have devised a scheme to get five linebackers on the field this season. Jerue will line up over the center but still have pass responsibilities. Gary Jeter

No. 77 Defensive End

Gary Jeter, the team’s designated pass rusher, led the Rams in sacks last season. He had seven. That should tell you something about the Rams’ pass rush, or lack of one. Still, it marked the third consecutive season that Jeter has led the Rams in that category. Jeter, who is platooned at right end with Reggie Doss, is 33 and some think at the twilight of his 12-year career. But he proved last season he can play with a flourish. He recorded six sacks during the Rams’ five-game winning streak. Damone Johnson

No. 86 Tight End

In his first full season--he missed his rookie year because of arthroscopic surgery--Johnson led the team’s tight ends with 21 receptions. Johnson has good speed--he played wide receiver for two seasons in college. What college was that? Well, none other than football factory Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. With David Hill gone, and Ernie Zampese’s offense dependent on dependable tight ends to dump off to, expect Johnson’s stats to increase this season. He caught 6 passes during the exhibition season for 50 yards. Johnnie Johnson

No. 20 Safety

Wasn’t it just yesterday that Johnnie Johnson was a big-time rookie out of Texas whose big-time rookie contract caused some murmuring with Ram veterans? Try nine years ago. Are we getting old or what? Tell Johnnie about it, with Nolan Cromwell’s departure, Johnson and LeRoy Irvin are now the deans of the secondary. Johnson played in only seven games last season--he broke his right arm in the 10th game of the season against Washington. After averaging 72 tackles in his first seven seasons, Johnson had only 32 in 1987. Though, he did tie for the team lead with nine passes defended. Larry Kelm

No. 52 Linebacker

Though the numbers are against him at the moment, time is on Larry Kelm’s side. Kelm played little last season, because he played behind Carl Ekern, Ram defensive captain. He made just six tackles. But Ekern is 34 and is entering his 13th professional season. This means Larry Kelm’s day could come soon. He has bided his time well. He led the Ram defense in preseason tackles with 20, and led the special teams in tackles with four. OK, maybe that’s nothing to get excited over, but when you’re a linebacker in waiting, you take what you can get.

Mike Lansford

No. 1 Placekicker

Did you know the guy with one shoe is 109 points away from becoming the Rams’ all-time leading scorer. Lansford, who has scored 465 points in six seasons, needs 109 to pass none other than Bob Waterfield (573). Considering he scored 112 points in 1984 and 104 in 1985, it seems he has a shot at setting the record this season. Lansford was fourth in scoring in the NFC, connecting on 17 of 21 field goal attempts. With Steve Dils waived and gone to Atlanta, he’ll have to get used to kicking out of the hold of tight end Pete Holohan. Duval Love

No. 67 Guard

Duval Love is a fifth-year, 10th-round, home-grown product (out of Fountain Valley High School and UCLA) who is finally going to get a chance at carving himself a niche in the Ram offensive line. He has backed up Jackie Slater at right tackle, Irv Pankey at left tackle and been used as a left end on short-yardage plays. But with Dennis Harrah’s retirement after last season, Love has found a home at the right guard spot. Harrah played 13 seasons, the Rams are hoping Love is another long-term tenant. Mike McDonald

No. 90 Linebacker

Mike McDonald is the Rams’ long snapper on punts and field goal attempts. That’s it. Really. And they say the medical profession is getting too specialized. Though it doesn’t sound like much, McDonald’s talents were special enough that the Rams, after a number of long-snap glitches, begged him back last season. McDonald put his office-supply business on hold and came back for his third professional campaign.

Buford McGee

No. 24 Running Back

When the Rams were negotiating with the San Diego Chargers to trade Barry Redden, offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese pushed to have McGee included in the deal. Zampese loves McGee for his versatility. In San Diego, he was the trigger man in the Chargers’ speed-option sweep. McGee, a wishbone quarterback in high school, would take a handoff from Dan Fouts and, trailing a blocking back, would run around end with the option to run or pitch. Any such slants were cut short by an Achilles tendon injury last season that limited him to three games. Greg Meisner

No. 69 Nose Tackle

Greg Meisner is about as noticeable on a football field as creeping crab grass. Many times, he is mashed into oneness with creeping crab grass. Playing nose tackle means rarely getting the big cheers or making the spectacular play. Still, Meisner endures, leading Ram defensive linemen in tackles, last season, with 50. He endured so well last season that he was one of only two players (Jim Collins was the other) to start every union game.

Shawn Miller

No. 98 Defensive End

Shawn Miller’s nickname is Dirt. Now, concentrate. Think about what someone named Dirt would look like. Think about a hybrid of Eli “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” Wallach and RoboCop. That is Shawn Miller. He missed six games last season with an ankle injury. Ram management probably came up with a new nickname for Miller when he held out for 27 days of training camp. Miller is your basic marauding Visigoth on the field. Given the Rams’ desire to bolster their pass rush, a healthy Miller seems critical to defensive success.

Tom Newberry

No. 66 Guard

How good is Tom Newberry? He held out for 34 days and missed practically all of camp. People didn’t know if he was working on his tan in Florida or chopping wood in Wisconsin. He came back two days before the final Ram exhibition game, against San Diego, and proceeded to put a couple of Charger linemen on their backsides. Newberry’s success derives from a simple philosophy to hit whomever is in front of him. In his third season, he’s built a reputation as one of the game’s best. Anthony Newman

No. 26 Cornerback

The Rams were so high on Anthony Newman this season that they were talking about putting all-pro cornerback Jerry Gray back to free safety. Newman was one of three second-round draft picks, and came highly touted from Oregon. But a shin injury changed everything. He was slowed for most of the exhibition season, his biggest contribution being two tackles while playing on the special teams. If you’re Jerry Gray, you’re thinking cornerback for one more season.

Vince Newsome

No. 22 Safety

Probably the hardest hitting, English-born defensive back in the NFL. He is the hardest hitter in the Ram secondary. Newsome was knocked out by a knee injury in the 12th game of last season. He had 52 tackles in 8 games, which put him on a pace to challenge his high mark of 113 tackles in 1986. But this matter of the knee changed all that. Newsome seems to have recovered. He was second on the team with 18 tackles during the preseason. Oh, by the by, Newsome was born in Braintree, England.

Mel Owens

No. 58 Linebacker

Mel Owens dabbles in ESP, runs with bulls in Spain and travels the world as a self-appointed good-will ambassador. When he’s not doing that, he is a pretty dazzling outside linebacker for the Rams. With Mike Wilcher, he gives the Rams one of the best tandems in the NFC. A first-round draft choice in 1981, Owens led players at his position in tackles last season with 42. He has played in 77 consecutive games. And Mel is heavy. He once told a reporter, “I perceive things the way I expect they’ll happen.” We all can identify with that.

Irv Pankey

No. 75 Tackle

Irv Pankey hits the Big Three-Oh this season and is showing a little wear for the worse on the front line. In his ninth season out of Penn State, Pankey has been hampered by tendinitis in his right knee. Still, Pankey is a dependable lug. After missing all of the 1983 season with a torn Achilles tendon, he has played in 60 consecutive games. Big guys like this always have great nicknames. Gruesome, bruising, bloodcurdling nicknames. Irv’s is Spanky . Doug Reed

No. 93 Defensive End

The 1987 Ram media guide describes Doug Reed as an outstanding pass rusher. This is stretching matters. Doug has collected 17 sacks in his five-year career. Jack Youngblood used to get numbers like that a season. Reed is extremely strong, but the Rams need him to penetrate more. He had 40 tackles in 12 games last season, but only two sacks. Given his physical attributes, Reed seems able to turn his game up a notch.

Mike Schad

No. 76 Guard

The Rams stunned everyone when they made Schad, who played his college ball in Canada, their first pick in 1986. Their media guide described him as a tremendous talent who, “has a change to become an outstanding NFL lineman once he learns the intricacies of American football.” As for raw talent, he’s 6-5, 290. ‘Nuff said. As for intricacies ... He missed his entire rookie season because of a back injury. Last season he stood on the sidelines and watched Tom Newberry move into the left guard spot Schad was looking to move into. Welcome to the NFL, Mike. Jackie Slater

No. 78 Tackle

Slater is 34 and in his 13th season. He blocked for Walter Payton at Jackson State. He has played in 163 games as a Ram, which puts him at eighth on the team’s all-time list. With the retirement of Dennis Harrah, Slater and Carl Ekern are the team’s senior members. Not that any of this age stuff seems to affect him. He was named the NFC offensive lineman of the year for the second consecutive season by the NFL Players Assn. and was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl and his fourth in the last five years.

Tony Slaton

No. 61 Center

Tony Slaton is the guy who has all the potential in the world. He was a three-time all-Pac-10 center at USC and an All-American. Ram coaches say he is destined to be a starter and play in the Pro Bowl one day. Unfortunately for Slaton, the guy he backs up, Doug Smith, has been selected to the Pro Bowl the past four seasons. Potential is important, but so is timing. Still, Slaton does get his chances. He can also play guard, and, last season, he played in 11 games.

Doug Smith

No. 56 Center

What is it about the Rams and centers? In the past 23 years, they have had, for all intents and purposes, only three: Ken Iman, who played from the mid-’60s to the mid-’70s; Rich Saul, who took over and played into the early-’80s; and now, Doug Smith, who played in only 11 games his first three seasons with the Rams (1978-1980). He took over for Saul in 1982, and since then has simply become one of the best players in the league at his position. He has been a Pro Bowl selection in four consecutive seasons.

Michael Stewart

No. 23 Safety

Another nasty hitter. Stewart got a chance to start the last four games of the season--subbing for the injured Newsome--and responded well. He had nine tackles against Dallas, and ended the season with 35 tackles. He was second on the special teams with 11 tackles. Stewart is an exceptional all-around athlete who was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers and played linebacker and offensive guard in high school.

Fred Stokes

No. 65 Defensive End

And now, Fred Stokes with “What Football Means To Me.” It means that you’re a prep all-American as an offensive lineman and you go to Georgia Southern and they make you a tight end. You catch a pass, nice season. They switch you back to offensive tackle and you become a Division 1-AA All-American. OK, so the Rams draft you and they tell you they want you to be a defensive end. You get a half-sack your rookie year. But mostly you play on kickoff coverage and returns. What’s next, designated snapper?

Fred Strickland

No. 53 Linebacker

In 1981, the Rams drafted Mel Owens from Mighigan in the first round and watched him blossom from a good linebacker to very good to nearly great at the present. They’re hoping the same from Strickland, a second-round pick from Purdue, who was all-Big Ten as a senior. Strickland broke an index finger during the team’s first scrimmage and played the rest of the season with a cast on his hand. If Jim Collins’ knees start to give him problems, look for Strickland to get his shot.

Mickey Sutton

No. 49 Cornerback

He’s been called an underrated player, he’s definitely undersized at 5-8, 165. How does he do it? The Mickey Sutton odyssey begins in Mississippi (birth and maturation) and boogies on through Montana (college), the United States Football League (ugh!) and now Anaheim. As a Ram, he is a backup cornerback, plays in the nickel defense and returns punts and kicks. He had 33 tackles last season, has three career interceptions and earned a game ball for his punt returns in the season opener at Green Bay.

James Washington

No. 37 Safety

If it hadn’t been for a knee injury during his senior year that caused him to miss three games, Washington probably would have been chosen higher than the fifth round. But that’s where the Rams got him, and so far they’re pretty happy about how things worked out. Washington has excellent range, and Ram coaches mention they like his football instincts, whatever those are. But don’t expect him to see much more action than he’ll see on the special teams this season.

Charles White

No. 33 Running Back

Charles White led the NFL in rushing last season with 1,374 yards. That’s four yards short of what he gained in his first seven professional seasons (1980-1986). He was selected to his first Pro Bowl after spending most of the exhibition season in drug rehabilitation. As comebacks go, White’s performance in the 1987 season ranks up there with Lazarus’. He led the Rams in touchdowns with 11, he had 5 consecutive 100-yard games, including a 213-yard performance against St. Louis.

Mike Wilcher

No. 54 Linebacker

Mike Wilcher has been touted as the Lawrence Taylor of the West. He, in fact, replaced Taylor at the University of North Carolina. But given Taylor’s recent problems, maybe it’s best Mike Wilcher be referred to as Mike Wilcher. He’s big, strong, fast and aggressive. He’s the Rams’ designated linebacker-pass rusher. In 1985, he led the Rams in sacks with 12 1/2, he had 5 1/2 in 1986 and 5 in 1987. And he was a force in the Rams’ attack against Green Bay, which produced seven sacks.

Alvin Wright

No. 99 Nose Tackle

The best move the man from Wedowee, Ala., has made so far has been to be in camp. That’s because fellow defensive linemen Greg Meisner, Shawn Miller and Doug Reed were holding out and Alvin got a great look during this exhibition season. He led all defensive linemen in tackles during the exhibition season with 11. Wright enjoyed his finest season in 1987, with 29 tackles and two sacks.

Michael Young

No. 88 Wide Receiver

Michael Young writes and sings country music, he makes great catches in practice, but is he ever going to get his chance to do something in a game? Ron Brown, who Young backed up, is gone, but the Rams drafted two speedsters to take his place (Aaron Cox, Willie Anderson). Young has made 33 catches in three seasons, and had just four last season. There was some thought that rookie Thomas Henley might have a chance to replace Young on the roster, but Henley was put on injured reserve Aug. 25.