Rams Gunning for Chargers : Pro football: Marquez Pope has no love for former team and has had visions about outcome of today’s game.
Safety Marquez Pope has worn the lightning bolts, has been there in the San Diego Charger locker room for Coach Bobby Ross’ pregame speech and has taken delight in the sound of a cannon fired after each touchdown scored by the Chargers.
But now Pope is a Ram, bent on crashing today’s party in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium and not that impressed with his former comrades.
“Do they shoot the cannon after field goals?” Pope asked sarcastically in reference to the Chargers’ anemic offense. “Do I think the Chargers are a fluke at 8-3? Let me just say this: I don’t think they’ve played anybody.”
The Chargers, losers of three of their last five games, traded Pope to the Rams during the off-season for a sixth-round selection in the 1995 NFL draft because he had failed to impress as a cornerback. Charger officials acknowledge they now regret the deal after watching Pope perform as the Rams’ starting strong safety.
“It’s something we have talked about,” said Billy Devaney, Charger director of player personnel.
Pope, a third-year pro from Long Beach Poly High and Fresno State, was a second-round draft pick for the Chargers in 1992.
Pope has forced a pair of fumbles, ranks third among the Rams in tackles and first in interceptions with three. In last week’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers, he ran helmet-first into the face of running back Ricky Watters, prompting Watters to say later it was the hardest hit he had ever taken in a game.
“The guy’s fearless,” said Joe Vitt, Ram assistant head coach.
The Chargers, slapped silly a week ago by the New England Patriots, have dominated Pope’s thoughts for months. He watched them play on TV against the Kansas City Chiefs and says they should have lost that game.
“They just slipped by New Orleans,” he said. “Look at the teams they have beaten. Seattle and Cincinnati are shaky. Denver came back and beat them.”
And now the Rams are going to pound them--at least that’s how Pope has it pegged.
“I’ve had this dream for some time--I see myself just looking over at the Charger sideline and smiling,” Pope said. “Since the day I was traded, I’ve thought about what I want to do when I get back there. I just want to explode, rampage all over the Chargers and show them what I can do. I don’t want to rub it in their face, because I’m thankful to them for bringing me into the league, but I want them to know I was there.”
Running back Jerome Bettis, who occupies the locker next to Pope’s, said the Chargers have his sympathies.
“He wants more than anything to let them know what they’re missing,” Bettis said. “I’m sure he’s going to put it on Natrone Means a couple of times, and after watching Pope play, I’m glad I’m not going to be on the receiving end of that.”
One more headache for the Charger offense might be one too many. The offense has come under heavy criticism from fans in San Diego while producing three touchdowns in the last three games. The fans want to see more of running back Ronnie Harmon and better play from quarterback Stan Humphries. The team’s wide receivers have shown an inability to catch the ball, and the offensive line has allowed Humphries to be sacked far too often.
“It’s not like their offense stinks, but they’ve had a couple of bad outings,” said Ram defensive end Fred Stokes. “We can see what they’re capable of, with Means gaining more than 100 yards and Humphries standing back there and throwing at will. We can’t expect them to play the way they have been playing recently.
“I’m sure the Chargers think their time is running short and they don’t have the luxury of letting any more games slip away. That 6-0 stuff to start off the season is all behind them and now there’s a sense of urgency. The red light’s on.”
The Chargers rank 10th on offense and sixth on defense with linebacker Junior Seau and defensive end Leslie O’Neal causing the havoc. Seau leads the Chargers with 115 tackles--49 more than any of his teammates--and O’Neal tops the team with 8 1/2 sacks.
“Everyone knows that San Diego’s best asset is their front four and Seau. Period,” Pope said. “Offensively, we have to play with poise and confidence and defensively we have to pound the outside receivers and hit Natrone Means. And we have to knock Ronnie Harmon out on third down. We can be successful against this team.”
The Rams, while playing well, have been unable to keep pace with the Chargers’ record. They have lost five games in the last two months by seven or fewer points, and have lost three of their last four games. But they still have the ability to throw a scare into teams with visions of making it to the playoffs.
“To get a victory over them would be great; Kansas City would certainly be happy,” Pope said. “It’s a chance to explode, to let it all out and just maybe be the one who wins the game.”
RAMS
TODAY’S GAME
* Opponent: San Diego Chargers.
* Site: Jack Murphy Stadium.
* Time: 1 p.m.
* Records: Rams 4-7, Chargers 8-3.
* TV: Channel 11.
* Radio: KMPC (710).
* Rosters: C19.