Rams, Vikings Won’t Show Their Cards in Exhibition Tonight
The Rams and Minnesota Vikings, wild-card playoff opponents last winter but less than wild Super Bowl notions this summer, meet tonight at Anaheim Stadium in the 44th annual Times-Rams Charity Game.
The game is:
--A showdown? Well, no, that won’t come until Nov. 5, when the teams play for keeps at Minneapolis.
--A sneak preview? Well, no, it wouldn’t make sense to throw down your best cards in August when there’s no money in the pot.
“I don’t think you try any strategy things,” Ram Coach John Robinson said this week. “If you’ve got a good idea against them, you’d hate to use it now. And have them ready for it.
--A grudge match? Let’s just say the goal posts are safe should the Rams try to gain a measure of revenge for last December’s 28-17 playoff loss.
--An exhibition game that few will remember when the teams meet again in three months? You’re getting warmer.
Tonight’s game is comparable to the first round of most title fights, not the last. Secrecy and camouflage are the concerns; the big punches come later.
More than a few experts are picking these teams to play in the championship game in January, based on past performances and potential.
But just now, both coaches have enough problems filling out starting lineups.
Viking Coach Jerry Burns concedes this much:
“I think if you take the top 10 teams in football, I think we’re one of them. I think the Rams are one of them. When you get to that point, anyone can go all the way--somebody gets the hot hand, or gets to believing in themselves, or a break in the schedule. But I don’t think you can look at anybody and say here are the two teams that are going to go all the way to the Super Bowl.”
Both teams are still without big guns. The Vikings are missing safety Joey Browner, receiver Anthony Carter, tight end Steve Jordan and linebacker Jesse Solomon--all holdouts. The Rams are without tailback Greg Bell, tackle Robert Cox, tight end Damone Johnson and first-round fullback Cleveland Gary.
The quarterback controversy in Minnesota is over. At least Burns says it’s over. Wade Wilson made the Pro Bowl in 1988 and signed a four-year, $4.35-million deal in the off-season. He has moved ahead of veteran Tommy Kramer for good, though Kramer still has the touch.
He replaced Wilson last week against Washington and completed 13 of 23 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown. Wilson had connected on just four of 10 for 52 yards and thrown two interceptions.
Naturally, Kramer’s performance drew headlines and rekindled the controversy.
“They’re trying to stir one up,” Burns said of his local reporters. “But there’s none as far as I’m concerned. Wade is our No. 1 guy. Tommy is two, and (Rich) Gannon is three.”
The decisions Robinson faces at quarterback are all in the lower ranks. Backup Mark Herrmann’s cracked rib sent panic waves through the organization that beamed clear to Atlanta, where Steve Dils was selling commercial real estate.
The Rams plucked Dils from retirement and have asked him to hold a clipboard until Herrmann can take a deep breath. Dils may even get a few snaps tonight and could play the second half against Detroit next week.
“I don’t want him to embarrass himself,” Robinson said of Dils. “But I want him to get a taste.”
Ram Notes
Reserve guard Mark Schmidt, hospitalized briefly after suffering a concussion in practice last week, will be out an estimated eight weeks with a herniated disk. . . . Viking defensive tackle Keith Millard makes his first appearance of the season tonight after returning from an ankle injury. . . . As of Friday, there were 54 holdouts remaining in the league, including six first-round picks and 21 Pro Bowl players. Only four teams--Buffalo, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Washington--had all their players in camp.
Injury update: Viking defensive ends Doug Martin and Curtis Greer will miss tonight’s game with knee injuries. Guard Randy Rasmussen is out with a back injury. . . . For the Rams, Pro Bowl left guard Tom Newberry and receiver Aaron Cox make their first appearances after returning from hamstring injuries. . . . Ram starters will play into the third quarter tonight. . . . Guard Duval Love, who signed Friday, will be in uniform and may play a little.
