Players Praise Robinson, Express Need for a Future Plan : Rams: Everett, Greene, Slater talk about how coach was treated. Quarterback calls on management for direction.

After a night of reflection, a few of the Rams’ leading voices expressed empathy for the way John Robinson had to announce the end of his nine-year tenure, and called on Ram management to begin providing a clearer plan for the future.

Robinson, under fire as the Rams’ losing streak grew to nine, made the announcement Wednesday, effective after Sunday’s game in Seattle. He was alone at a podium when he made his statement, and there has yet to be a public statement from the Ram front office.

For now, the Rams are looking ahead to a new leader for the first time since 1983.

“I think this team has needed direction for a while--for whatever reasons,” quarterback Jim Everett said. “(Executive Vice President) John Shaw, it’s in his hands right now as far as the direction of this squad.

“The types of things I would like to see is a direction: Where are we going, what are we going to do and how are we going to do it? Specific details on where we’re going, why we’re doing it, how we’re going to do it, and have the guys here committed to doing it.”

Everett, while not arguing that Robinson should have been retained, suggested the way the Rams handled his resignation was shabby.

“You know, I’ve been here for a few years; I’ve seen the retirement of Dennis Harrah,” Everett said. “I’ve seen the retirement of Johnny Johnson, Nolan Cromwell and now, of course, the retirement of a head coach, John Robinson; each one (was) handled in a way that I don’t think is very approvable.

“He’s been a hell of a spokesperson for this team, and he’s done a hell of a lot for our organization and our community. And for someone not standing up and giving him his due respect I believe he is truly deserving of, even though we’ve had two bad seasons, I think was disrespectful.”

Neither Shaw nor owner Georgia Frontiere was available for comment Thursday.

Everett said he figures the next Ram coach will be a motivator, someone to stir up a team that has looked lifeless since November.

“My guess (is) it would be someone that would be maybe a little bit more hard line,” Everett said. “That’s purely speculation on my behalf, but whoever it is, I hope he brings a couple of logs, lights a big fire, puts it underneath us and gets us cranking, because that’s what we need.”

Linebacker Kevin Greene, one of Robinson’s staunchest supporters, credited Robinson for his rise to stardom from an unspectacular college player and said Robinson has been unfairly singled out as the fall guy for the Rams’ two-year fall.

“My heart goes out to him,” Greene said. “Everybody is pointing the finger at J.R., saying it’s his fault the Rams are such and such this year, and his fault the Rams were such and such last year.

“You can’t do that. It’s wrong for anybody to do that. Everybody has to take equal credit, even the administrative staff. And the players have to take credit, too.

“Unfortunately, the main man is going to be the first to fall. And he’s doing it with a lot of dignity.

“We don’t have a leader now. Shoot, we don’t have a head coach.”

Tackle Jackie Slater, praised by Robinson when he made his announcement to the players, said: “It’s difficult to see anybody lose their job, particularly people that you’ve worked with for as long as most of us have worked with Coach Robinson.

“As all of Southern California knows, the Rams have parted with the winningest coach they’ve had in their history, and I just hope whoever the next guy is will come in and do as good a job as he’s done.”

Center Tom Newberry said he wishes Robinson the best as he leaves.

“I think he’s ready to go,” Newberry said. “We’ve had some good times here. I’ve been here for six years with him, and we’ve done a lot of good things, and I think he feels it’s time for him to move on to something else. I hope he finds what he wants to do.”

Everett made a not-so-subtle reference to Robinson’s media-friendly coaching style perhaps submerging some of the team’s character.

“I think you will see a lot of younger guys stepping up to the plate to be leaders,” Everett said. “I believe in the past, that maybe that has been looked past--some of the younger guys being leaders.

“If it’s because of Robinson’s personality was so overbearing or what have you . . . but I think you’ll see some younger guys step up.”

Whenever he thinks of Robinson, Everett said he will always remember his first game as a pro in 1986, throwing three touchdown passes against the New England Patriots, and Robinson’s reaction.

“Just the look on his face when I came to the sideline a couple times, after I hugged Dennis Harrah--there was a gleam in his eye,” Everett said. “I don’t think he thought I could ever do something like that. Maybe I caught him by surprise.

“I remember that point--just the emotional point from my end, and seeing him, it was just a terrific time.

“He’s always been there for us, he’s always stood up for his players. He’s definitely had a hard time doing that during the latter years here, but I think all his players respect him and hopefully wish him success in the things he does in the future.”