PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Game Plan Exposed Pass Defense

After being a highlight for much of the season, the Ram defense’s inability to defend against the pass during the last two games has been somewhat startling, especially considering the opposition.

The San Diego Chargers were 27th in the league in passing offense before playing the Rams, and first-year quarterback John Friesz threw for 306 yards. The Raiders were 22nd when Jay Schroeder passed for 271 last Sunday.

San Diego and the Raiders are considered running teams, so the Rams went into both games determined to stop the run.

“We’re a defensive team that’s going to get a plan against you,” Coach John Robinson said. “If it’s a fight and you’ve got a great right hand, we’re going to circle away from it. Now, you might knock us down with a left hook, but we’re still going to circle away.

“And I approve of that. To be able to do both is probably going to take us some time.”

Guard Bern Brostek, who is almost fully recovered from an ankle injury, will have to battle Duval Love to regain his starting spot at left guard. Brostek, a powerful run blocker, started the first four games before the injury. Love began the season as the backup right guard, but has also started at tackle this season.

“Duval Love has done a good job for us,” Robinson said. “You know, he’s a right guard, gets ready at right guard and somebody taps him on the shoulder and says, ‘Get over there at left tackle.’ So he walks over there.

“It takes a a certain kind of competitor to do that. And he’s done a good job.”