NOTES : Rams Apparently in No Hurry to Start Rushing

Coach John Robinson, who said last week that the Rams would definitely rush at least 25 times each game the rest of the season, had an explanation for running only 19 times Sunday.

“We didn’t block them well enough, that’s what happened,” Robinson said, referring to the Rams’ 1.4-yard average for the game.

“They stopped us. And we had things open in the passing game, and you’ve got to go with what’s going for you. We just didn’t do the things we had to do.”

What was left unasked and unexplained was why Robinson chose to use Marcus Dupree so sparingly after saying Dupree would have a major role against the Lions--who only last week surrendered a career-high 139 yards to Tampa Bay running back Reggie Cobb.

Dupree carried the ball only three times for seven yards and had the Rams’ long gain of five yards. Dupree did not see any action after the first half.

Starting tailback Robert Delpino, who did not practice last week because of a sore left hip, carried 14 times for 19 yards with a long gain of four yards.

Pure and Simple: The Lions made some revisions to simplify their defensive approach against the rush and it paid off Sunday.

“As far as rushing the football, we totally shut them down,” linebacker Chris Spielman said. “They had no running game. We stuffed it.”

Spielman said the simplified defense was a key factor.

“I don’t want to add to that cliche that football players are dumb,” he said, “but trimming (the game plan) down some takes some of the thought process out. Things happen fast out there and when you have the athletes we have on defense, it allows us to rely on their ability rather than trying to out-scheme everybody.”

Too Cautious? Quarterback Jim Everett said he saw receiver Henry Ellard flash open in the back of the end zone for a possible touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but missed him because he had pressure up the middle and wanted to make sure he didn’t duplicate his fourth-quarter end-zone interception against the Raiders five weeks ago.

“I didn’t want to want the Ronnie Lott thing to happen again,” Everett said. “I saw (Ellard) and I wanted to make sure only he could get to it.”

That incompletion came on third down with the Rams on the Lion 11-yard line, down by 11 with about two minutes left. On fourth down, Everett had his pass intended for Vernon Turner, deflected at the goal line.

Left tackle Gerald Perry’s luck turned even worse Sunday in the first quarter, when he sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee. The injury will sideline him the rest of the season.

In the last two games, Perry had been beaten by All-Pro linebackers--Pat Swilling of the Saints and Derrick Thomas of the Chiefs--for fumble-causing sacks late in the game. Sunday, Perry injured the same knee that forced him to miss several weeks of training camp.

Robert Jenkins, who started the season at left tackle for the Rams before suffering a knee injury, replaced Perry.

Yawn, Another Victory: A Detroit victory used to be cause for celebration in these parts, but the 7-4 Lions are beginning to expect to win.

“In the past, we would have had a parade,” Spielman said, “or maybe planned a trip to the White House. Now, well, we’re obviously happier if we win, but it’s more like just another game.”

Team Unity: Detroit Coach Wayne Fontes has been saying this group of receivers is the best since he came to the Lions as an assistant in 1985.

Sunday’s receiving performances were as impressive as they were steady.

Quarterback Erik Kramer completed passes to six receivers, including running back Barry Sanders.

Former UCLA standout Mike Farr caught his first touchdown as a pro and three other passesfor a team-leading 58 yards. Willie Green also had four receptions, and Robert Clark caught three passes, two for touchdowns.

Team Disunity: Fontes and nose tackle Jerry Ball flatly denied discord in the Lions’ camp despite reports to the contrary.

“The team held together,” Fontes said. “Win or lose, no one is going to destroy what we have here in this locker room.”

Ball threw postgame questions back at reporters.

“You know, you have to take some of that negative stuff and turn it to your favor and (it will) put you back on track,” Ball said. “I think what you guys did was put us back on track. We’re going to get more wins and shut you guys up.”

Homecoming: It was a bittersweet return for Ram linebacker Paul Butcher, a former standout at Wayne State in Detroit and St. Alphonsus High School in nearby Dearborn, Mich. A number of banners in the Silverdome welcomed back Butcher.

“It feels great to be back home,” Butcher said. “I just wish we could have played a little better. I wanted to beat (the Lions) just due to the fact I played with them before (1986-88). The Lions always treated me great, but it’s always nice to come home and beat the team you played for before.”

Times staff writers Tim Kawakami, Elliott Teaford and John Weyler contributed to this story.