Short of Leaving Town, Here’s a Plan for Rams
Where do the Rams go from here?
Baltimore, you say?
Yeah, well, that’s the hot wiseacre reply of the moment. What we’re looking for here, Buster, are legitimate answers, serious solutions, because the Baltimore Rams could not begin play any earlier than 1995, which means there’s at least one more Orange County season for shop for. Maybe many more, if Anaheim’s city officials see Jerome Bettis as a historical landmark worth preserving and accede to the franchise-jackers’ upcoming ransom demands.
So what are the off-season moves the Rams have to make?
If they’re headed east--1994 and out--the temptation is to say: Trade every remaining draft choice through 2010 for Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Andre Rison, Rod Woodson, Deion Sanders, Bruce Smith, Neil Smith and Junior Seau and let’s hold one hellacious going-away party at next January’s Super Bowl.
If they’re planning to stay awhile, however, our course corrections must be more conservative, more responsible and, therefore, considerably less fun.
In other words, we have to think like Chuck Knox.
When Knox looks at the current Ram roster, after lifting his hands from his eyes, he sees four pressing needs: 1) quarterback; 2) big-play wide receiver; 3) more team speed; 4) more depth on defense.
Nos. 1 and 2 will take care of each other, one way or the other. There are several intriguing wide receivers on the unrestricted free-agent list--Tim Brown, Anthony Miller, Michael Haynes--but none of them are about to sign on just to block downfield for Bettis. They’ll need to see the Rams make a commitment of some sort to the passing game first.
This means drafting, signing or trading for a quarterback not named Jim Everett or T.J. Rubley. Everett’s future is anywhere but Anaheim. Rubley’s, most likely, is backup to whomever the Rams bring in. Rubley has proved himself to be an ace reliever, but the Rams need more than a better bullpen than the Angels’ to climb back into the playoffs.
Knox would prefer a veteran, Knox being 61 and less than enthralled about digging in with an untested rookie. Unfortunately, the list of available experienced quarterbacks is not what it was in 1993, when Jeff Hostetler, Steve Beuerlein and Bobby Hebert all changed addresses, to the betterment of those new addresses.
This year, the free-agent quarterback catalogue features:
--Scott Mitchell, who is taller than Rubley and a stronger passer than Rubley. But Rubley, at least, won one of his last three starts. Mitchell couldn’t, which is why he and Rubley begin 1994 on equal footing--kicking them up on the ottoman, watching the NFL playoffs at home.
--Mark Rypien, who won a Super Bowl two years ago, but what has he done lately? Lose his job to Rich Gannon for a couple of midseason games and get Redskins Coach Richie Petitbon fired.
--Erik Kramer, who has proved himself, by now, to be the best quarterback the Detroit Lions have. That and $2.50 will get you a cup of cappuccino.
--Bubby Brister, now that the state of Pennsylvania has had its fill.
--Chris Miller. OK, that gets the Rams through next October. Then what do they do after Miller blows out his right knee/left knee/right collarbone/left collarbone?
--John Friesz. Stan Humphries’ backup in San Diego is supposed to be the answer in Anaheim?
--Bernie Kosar. The Rams had their chance in November when the Browns placed Kosar on waivers, and passed then. It’s incredible to think that he’s only 30. That gangly body has put in a lot of hard mileage, driving through so many Cleveland winters with no chains and no offensive line.
The Rams could also trade for a quarterback and there is talk they are presently mulling Indianapolis malcontent Jeff George.
First, they should mull these words written about George by an Indianapolis Colt beat writer in the Dec. 20, 1993, Sporting News:
“Think of Jeff George and you picture his cannon-like arm, his quick release and his ability to shoot the ball to a receiver surrounded by defenders. . . . Then, there are the questions. About his mechanics, his ‘happy feet’ in the pocket, his tendency to force a pass rather than throw it away or take a sack. Questions about his maturity.”
Translation: Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to replace Everett with this guy.
The Rams’ best option is one that may not begin to show real dividends until ’95 or ‘96, which may not do Orange County one bit of good, but could leave them in possession of the next Troy Aikman or the next Drew Bledsoe.
Those are the thumbnail scouting reports on Heath Shuler and Trent Dilfer, respectively. Dilfer, a junior at Fresno State, declared himself eligible for the draft Tuesday. Shuler, a junior at Tennessee, is expected to do the same any day now.
Had the Rams lost to Chicago last Sunday, they would have drafted second behind Cincinnati and had the chance to pick one or the other. Now, at 5-11 and No. 5, they may have to trade up for that opportunity.
If so, they should do it. Knox talks about acquiring “an impact player” with that first pick, and, sorry, an offensive tackle just isn’t going to get it done. The last two Ram No. 1 selections, Bettis and Sean Gilbert, made the Pro Bowl. Add Shuler or Dilfer and the Rams have a nucleus that at least could enter the same ballpark as Dallas.
Wide receivers, defensive ends and cornerbacks can be culled from the free-agent pool. The quarterback that will lead this franchise into the next century can be found only in the draft.
It is time to forget the Band-Aids and focus on the cure.
Even if the patient finally recovers in a Baltimore hospital bed.