Rams Still Not Ready for NFL Heavyweights : Team Hopes Another Infusion of Draft Picks Will Level Out Streaks of 1988
It turns out the Rams were the team of tease in 1988, a heartache waiting to happen. At the bounce of a ball, they might lift you up or slam you down.
The Rams broke out of the gate fast at 7-2, galvanizing the wisdom of trading Eric Dickerson for draft choices. But after four straight November loses, the Rams didn’t look like geniuses.
Then came three straight wins to end the season. That fast, the Rams were the league’s hottest playoff team, confounding critics with their mysterious streaks. What Monday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings finally confirmed was that the Rams are not ready to mix it up with the heavyweights.
Against the backdrop of 1987, a full-blown disaster, this year’s 10-6 record was a Van Gogh. Against the rest of the league, though, the Rams are at least a few brush strokes away.
The upper command at the team’s Pico Boulevard offices is no doubt growing tired of the Rams’ wild-card-and-out playoff syndrome, but will sit still for at least another season while construction continues on what some feel is a blueprint for dynasty.
Coach John Robinson has already made his employers the California Promise.
“I think the organization has made dramatic improvements since the Dickerson episode,” Robinson said. “I think there’s every reason to believe the Rams will be a major force the next 3 to 5 years.”
Robinson’s offense is basically set, with the exception of some re-tooling on an aging offensive line. Jim Everett, despite Minnesota, shattered team passing records and led the conference in touchdown passes (31) and yardage (3,964).
Henry Ellard had a coming-out party in 1988, breaking Tom Fears’ 38-year-old record for single-season receptions.
Fifth-round fullback Robert Delpino was almost as big a steal for the Rams as nabbing Pete Holohan from the Chargers.
The Rams’ passing offense, the undeniable laughing stock of the league just 2 seasons ago, finished third overall in the National Football League. And what about Greg Bell, who played for less than half of Dickerson’s 1987 salary ($682,000) and gained 1,212 yards while scoring 18 touchdowns? No, Bell is not Dickerson, but he wasn’t a bad throw-in to a three-team blockbuster deal.
Bell won the tailback job outright in training camp, and now has seemingly earned the right to negotiate a new contract when his expires Feb. 1 along with 17 other Ram contracts.
Bell also had a big hand in thoroughly squashing Gaston Green’s rookie season. If Robinson really didn’t want Green in the first place, as some have suggested, he sure hasn’t shown it. Yet, when the 14th pick in the draft carries the ball one less time all season than your quarterback (Everett: 35 times for 117 yards, Green: 34 for 147), maybe it’s time for someone to stand up and be counted.
Robinson relates the Green problem to having three pegs--Bell, Charles White, Green--but only one hole to fill.
“I just think the time and environment worked against him,” Robinson said. “It wasn’t a lack of willingness or a lack of skill. So those critics to me are meaningless. But certainly the fact he didn’t play, the question arises.”
Instead of taking Green, of course, Robinson could have had his choice of rookie runners John Stephens (New England--1,168 yards) or Thurman Thomas (Buffalo--881 yards) or Icky Woods (Cincinnati--1,066).
Robinson swears he said all along that Green was young (22) and physically immature, and must be allowed time to grow up on his own schedule. And if Bell’s for real, what’s the big hurry?
This spring, most Ram concerns will turn to defense, a unit that was growing old quickly before the Dickerson draft-pick fix. The Rams used one Dickerson windfall last year on Purdue linebacker Fred Strickland, who by season’s end was becoming a dominating player.
In April, the Rams will have 5 of the first 60 choices, and Robinson plans to stock up on tacklers.
And while the temptation to package choices and trade up for a dominating inside pass rusher is great, Robinson said strength in numbers might be more valuable.
“It’ll be hard for me to be persuaded unless it’s an individual that has unbelievable gifts,” Robinson said. “You have to consider all that, but you also have to consider the value of the number of choices. It’s hard not to relish having 5 guys in the first 60 picks. That’s a nice little deal.”
The Rams, of course, have long been looking for menacing Keith Millard-types at defensive tackle. Inside linebacker is also a position running thin, with leading tackler Carl Ekern closing in on 35 and both Mark Jerue and Jim Collins bothered by chronic knee problems.
As always, the Rams will have some interesting off-season negotiations with free agents, namely:
--Ron Brown. He unretired on Oct. 14 after a nasty contract dispute and holdout last season. He signed a pay-as-you-play contract for the last 7 games of the season, but he finds himself back where he started. He can sign with the Rams at their price or take a hike. Chances are he won’t be back.
--Bell. He played for $300,000 this season, so getting a raise won’t be the problem. How much of a raise will be the problem.
--Ekern. Some think he defied the odds this year, returning for his 13th season. Ekern, though, led the team in tackles with 93. Ekern is a survivor, though a 14th season may be asking too much.
--Gary Jeter. After almost retiring last season, he returned and had his best sack-year ever--11 1/2. Jeter, 34, said Monday that he will take a few weeks off before deciding his future.
--Irv Pankey. The Rams’ left tackle was left off the Pro Bowl squad again this year but still is a valuable member of a cohesive offensive line.
Ram Notes
Other Rams who will become free agents Feb. 1 include offensive linemen Robert Cox, Duval Love, Tony Slaton, fullbacks Mike Guman and Buford McGee, kicker Mike Lansford, snapper Mike McDonald, special teams player Tim Tyrrell, tight end Eric Sievers, tailback Charles White, nose tackle Alvin Wright, cornerback Mickey Sutton, defensive end Fred Stokes and wide receiver Michael Young. Some of the above could be swept away with the coming of the new draft choices. . . . The Rams finished the season ranked third in total offense (15th rushing, 3rd passing) and ninth in total defense (7th rushing, 17th passing).
