COMMENTARY : Rams Draw Low Marks, Fewer Fans

Approximately 191 days until the Rams open training camp, and aren’t you excited?

Can it be any better than what it was in 1993?

--Rams go 0-4 in the exhibition season, the first time in franchise history they have failed to win a game.

--Jim Everett proclaims himself the greatest passer in Ram history before going on to compile a lower pass completion percentage than any other starting quarterback in the league--T.J. Rubley included.

--Safety Anthony Newman cries after the Rams lose their season-opener by 30 points. Fortunately, he’s not clairvoyant and does not know there are 10 more losses to come.

--Rams shut out Pittsburgh, blast Houston and then call it a year. After a 2-2 start they fall by 31 points to New Orleans in Anaheim Stadium. Afterward, Everett says, “I’ve played better football games, I think I’ve played worse.” He will play worse as the season goes on.

--Rams get bye, Darryl Henley gets asked to leave while authorities investigate alleged drug trafficking charges. He comes back to Rams Park, says no one should believe what they’re reading. Later, he’s indicted.

--An angry Robert Bailey throws a chair in the Ram locker room after the team loses to 0-5 Atlanta with Billy Joe Tolliver at quarterback. Linebacker Chris Martin, obviously a regular viewer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, says, “It’s not too late if we can pull ourselves together.”

--Losses continue to pile up, although Rubley excites fans with a rally against Detroit. Instead of crediting the kid for his work, Everett calls the offense obsolete in defense of his own shortcomings.

--Coach Chuck Knox decides to give T.J. Rubley a feeling of what it was like to be part of the Charge of the Light Brigade and presents him with his first start against the 49ers--in San Francisco. Everett tells CBS’s John Madden, “We’ll find out if I’m the reason we’re 2-5.”

--Everett’s back in command a week later against Atlanta’s No. 28-ranked defense, and as Falcon linebacker Darion Conner said, “We know Everett can’t perform under pressure.” He didn’t, and Rams lost 13-0 at home.

--Rubley saves the day against Washington, relieves Everett and the Rams win. Everett has made his last start of the season for the Rams.

--Injuries mount, and formerly unemployed football players are suddenly starting for the Rams. A total of 19 players are added to the roster after the team breaks training camp.

--Owner Georgia Frontiere gives her first interview in years, says she won’t sell but might move. Also says Knox is a lock to return in 1994. The same is not said about Everett.

--Rubley becomes the starter and the Rams lose by 25 to San Francisco. Ram cornerback Wymon Henderson says after the game, “There were some things out there we can be proud of.” Indeed, Henderson & Co. hold Steve Young to only 462 passing yards and four touchdowns.

--Rams go to New Orleans and win. Henderson expects invites from Letterman & Leno.

--Rams finish 2-4 down the stretch with Rubley and blow an opportunity to pick second in 1994 draft with a season-closing victory over Chicago. After running back Jerome Bettis finishes No. 2 in rushing, teammate Irv Eatman says, “If Bettis stays healthy, he could be one of the best to ever play in this league.”

--Rumors continue to swirl that the Rams will move to Baltimore after a season in which the team averaged 45,401 fans a home game--the lowest total since their arrival in Anaheim Stadium in 1980.

“It’s very tough to block out all those (distractions),” Knox said. “They become disconcerting. Some people are able to block them out better than others. It’s very tough to put a handle on how that impacts your team. It’s like grabbing air. It’s tough to measure.”

Add it all up, injuries, distractions and inept play and it’s right there in the record books: a 5-11 finish for the second time in four years.

But just wait until next season . . .

QUARTERBACKS

Told you they should have played third-stringer Jamie Martin more. A top-flight running game is supposed to make it that much easier for a quarterback, but the Rams have No. 2 rusher in league and win five games.

Everett blamed his downfall in 1993 “on outside influences” and challenged a reporter to fight last week. Team officials expressed immediate concern, fearing that if he threw a punch there was no telling where it would land.

Rubley’s career as a starter is finished just as it begins. Worst thing that can happen to a ninth-round pick from Tulsa who has failed to overwhelmingly impress is the hiring of a new quarterbacks coach. Rubley pitches as many touchdowns as Everett and six fewer interceptions, but fans aren’t lining up to buy season tickets based on his promise. The next marketing push will revolve around the quarterback acquired during the off-season.

Key stat: Everett’s 49.3 completion percentage is the lowest for a Ram starting quarterback since 1965, when Roman Gabriel completed 48%.

How bad were they? Dieter Brock threw for 16 touchdowns in 15 games in 1985; Rubley and the greatest passer in Ram history combined to throw for 16 touchdowns in 16 games. Grade: F

RUNNING BACKS

Bettis ran for 1,429 yards, made the Pro Bowl and needs only one more 1,200-yard season to negate fifth year of contract and become an unrestricted free agent--just about the time the Rams’ new quarterback becomes comfortable and ready to make a run for the playoffs.

Fantasy football owners take note next season: Bettis finished third in total yards gained from scrimmage behind Emmitt Smith and Thurman Thomas, and Bettis came out of the game in third-down passing situations in favor of Cleveland Gary. Gary does not figure to receive his mail at Rams Park next season, and Bettis caught five passes for 71 yards in the season finale.

Kudos to Tim Lester for clearing the way for Bettis and for Gary’s professionalism while losing his job.

And how about that Russell White? Shoot, the two times the big guy carried the ball, he gained 10 yards.

When Knox began using injuries as excuse for Rams’ collapse, he started talking about David Lang’s loss as if Lang were Emmitt Smith. Smith returned to Cowboys, and they began winning. Lang returned to the Rams, and they continued losing.

Key stat: Bettis averaged 131 yards in his last six starts.

Ground Yuck: Rams were 2-5 in games in which Bettis rushed for more than 100 yards. Grade: A plus

RECEIVERS

Can’t wait to hear Rams’ pitch to free agents Tim Brown, Anthony Miller and Michael Haynes: “OK, so we intend to run Bettis almost every play, we don’t have a quarterback worth a damn, we got the fifth pick and no shot at a young stud in the draft, but what would you say if we told you we might get booed this season, but next year when we move to Baltimore you’ll hear nothing but cheers?”

Henry Ellard leads team in receptions, but then check out the alternatives: Todd Kinchen (hurt), Ernie Jones (hurt and can’t catch), Sean LaChapelle (human glacier), Flipper Anderson (AWOL), Troy Drayton (playbook woes), James Lofton (eligible for Social Security) and Richard Buchanan (get serious).

Rams claim they have steal of draft in Drayton, then struggle in passing game but don’t employ Drayton. They let it be known that he can’t pick up Ram offense; hope he doesn’t do his own taxes.

Key stat: Drayton caught 13 passes in the team’s first 11 games and a total of 14 in the final five.

Meet Dave Kingman: Anderson remains Rams’ No. 1 home-run threat, but unfortunately, he strikes out too often. In the last 31 games, Anderson has failed to record a 100-yard receiving game. Grade: D

OFFENSIVE LINE

Coach Jim Erkenbeck has to beat cancer and try to win with these guys all in the same year. Cancer’s no problem, but try and line up with Keith Loneker, Darryl Ashmore and Jeff Pahukoa. Erkenbeck gets the job done, and Rams allow 31 sacks--seventh best in league.

Bettis helps, too. Best thing that can happen to a mediocre bunch of lugs is a standing order to run block.

Rams need Jackie Slater to return if nothing else for the example he sets in preparing himself for combat each week. After Slater injured his shoulder, the Ram line surrendered 16 sacks in the next 11 quarters of play.

Irv Eatman is team’s best free-agent acquisition.

Key stat: Ram starters did not miss a game in 1992; Slater and guard Tom Newberry missed total of 15 starts in 1993.

Ed McMahon could still call: You would have thought Loneker had a better chance of winning the Publisher Clearinghouse’s $10-million first-place award than starting a game in the NFL. Grade: B minus

DEFENSIVE LINE

In addition to upgrading Robert Young’s minimum salary in 1994, the Rams might consider funding a trip to Lourdes to insure Young’s recovery from knee surgery. Young’s return is vital to the team’s hopes for quick recovery next season. Young had seven sacks in 5 1/2 games and then missed rest of season with a knee injury.

Sean Gilbert is a star and racks up 10 1/2 sacks despite being double-teamed.

There are reports from credible observers that Marc Boutte played in all 16 games this season, but the stats don’t indicate it. Tony Woods is sleepless in Seattle, but loved in Anaheim. Gerald Robinson is probably looking for work elsewhere next season.

Fred Stokes has 9 1/2 sacks, makes every 2 a.m. feeding and doesn’t have to worry about missing baby grow up while he’s off at the playoffs.

Key stat: Rams had 17 sacks in first four games with Young in lineup; six sacks in last five games.

A bargain: Rams paid $333,333.33 for each of Gerald Robinson’s three sacks. Grade: C minus

LINEBACKERS

Emergence of Roman Phifer bodes well for development of defense. Phifer’s 117 tackles are the team’s most since 1985 when Jim Collins had 140 and Carl Ekern had 118. Phifer also proved versatile at times in working as pass defender.

Shane Conlan earns $2.34 million, gets nice suntan and doesn’t have to be embarrassed in this year’s Super Bowl again. When healthy, he also proves he can still play the game, although Rams continued to remove him from field on goal-line situations. Imagine taking Mike Singletary off the field as the other team is poised to score.

Henry Rolling ties for team lead with two interceptions, but fails to make a lasting impression because of a series of injuries. However, if Phifer, Conlan and Rolling emerge healthy from training camp next season Rams appear solid here.

Key stat: Ram starting linebackers, who are supposed to be the team’s biggest hitters, did not force a fumble all season long. Reserve linebacker Chris Martin had two.

Who needs Kevin Greene? Rams did not get a sack from any of their linebackers. Grade B

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Blame it on injuries, indictments or missed assignments, but these guys were the biggest disappointment in 1993. When they reported to training camp they looked like the strength of the team, but they couldn’t catch the ball when given the opportunity for an interception and couldn’t cover when the game was on the line.

Darryl Henley missed 11 games because of a federal investigation into drug trafficking charges, and Todd Lyght missed final seven games with a knee injury. Problems aside, Rams finished last in the league defending against the pass, and that’s with an up-and-coming Steve Israel playing a lot and starting free safety Anthony Newman on the field for every play and safeties Pat Terrell and Michael Stewart available for duty.

Key stat: Newman started 16 games at free safety and finished the season without an interception.

A Thousand Clowns: Rams finished last in the league in stopping opponents on third down because when opposition needed yardage, they went searching for Wymon Henderson, Dexter Davis and Mitchell Price. Grade: F

SPECIAL TEAMS

A season-long embarrassment.

Rams fielded the league’s overall worst special teams and that’s hard to do. Longest punt return went 13 yards. Longest kickoff return was 35 yards--by Russell White, who wasn’t allowed to wear a uniform the last 10 weeks because the team considers him a stiff.

Key stat: Rams were last in the league in net punt average at 31.7 yards and last in league returning punts at 5.4 yards a try.

Did someone yell “boo?” Ellard made like Don Knotts on punt returns and began signaling for a fair catch while running onto the field. Rams returned a league-low 19 punts, signaling for fair catch 15 times. Grade: F minus

COACHING

Did someone say, “playoffs?”

Rams had no faith in Everett last off-season, did nothing to address the problem and then acted shocked when he wimped out.

Rams went 2-2 despite a most difficult schedule to start the season, then crumbled. Injuries stifled team’s lofty hopes, but come on, Rams were 0-4 during the exhibition season and signs were everywhere for impending disaster.

The defense failed to measure up to preseason hype because of inability to generate turnovers. Team never addressed wide receiver problems, failed to properly employ Drayton, and mishandled the who will start--Gary or Bettis--situation from the start.

And then there was the “Rubley gets to start every time we play San Francisco” fiasco.

Injuries sabotaged efforts to hang tough. Ask Don Shula about that. Rams practiced hard throughout the season, but how do you explain being party to six blowouts? Rams lost six games by 23 or more points, and is that because of a lack of talent or a team that has quit?

Benefit of doubt goes to Knox, who has turned it around previously here, with the Bills and with the Seahawks. Current criticism of the Rams and a last chance to add to his impressive coaching credentials might be just the ticket to raise Knox’s Pennsylvania ire and demand overnight success.

Front office has considered coaching change, thought about hiring a GM, but has opted to play on as is. One more losing season, and as hard as they work, it won’t matter--these guys won’t have to worry about moving to Baltimore.

Key stat: Knox-coached teams in the last five years have compiled a 34-46 record and have finished no higher than third in the standings.

Biggest off-season question: Who decides who will be the starting quarterback next season, and for the years to come? Knox or front office? Grade: D