A Case for the Defense--and Rams’ Shurmur

This is in reference to Jim Esterbrooks’ Nov. 11 letter criticizing Fritz Shurmur. I had the privilege of working for the Rams’ medical staff between ’83 and ’87. Shurmur is a class guy and a great coach. His players love him and play hard for him. How many times in the last few years has the Rams’ defense carried the team without many big-name players?

Unfortunately, this year the defense has had to deal with injuries to key people, which has forced players into unfamiliar positions, not to mention the fact that there are many young players.

It’s funny how people are so quick to write the Rams off, and then, when they start winning, they jump on the bandwagon and say, “I always knew they could do it.”

PETER SHAW, La Habra