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As we swing into August , the St. Louis Rams are preparing for Season #3 of their Gateway City stay. Watching the Dick Vermeil Reunion Tour take over the fortunes of the football team has made this camp more intriguing and fascinating.
Not only has Vermeil brought a renewed enthusiasm to a frustrated and bad organization, but he also has added credibility. Could anyone else but Vermeil have pulled off a trade for the Number One Pick in the entire N F L Draft?? Could anyone else have persuaded this stable of coaching experience to town?? I don't think the Brooks/Ortmayer regime had the insight, imagination or initiative to make these bold moves.
Eleven months ago, I wrote in this space that if 1996 was another losing season, it would be gut check time for the Rams Management. Gateway City Football Fans would know first hand John Shaw's sincerity on improving the product. The hiring of Vermeil has brought an NFL presence to the franchise and a thumbs up by the faithful.
But now, as the team sweats in Macomb, a fundamental question remains: Just how good will these guys be anyway??
One national publication and local talk show junkies have been caught up in the hoopla and are predicting a Wild Card Spot in the playoffs for the Rams this season.
Before ordering those playoff ducats and making an appointment to have you face painted Blue and Gold--let's all catch our breaths and look at this team objectively.
Yes, it is true that Coach Vermeil and the Magnificent Seven have jump-started this franchise. But remember, Tony Banks is only a second year NFL quarterback. Yes, it is true that 1996 was a baptism of fire for the former Spartan, and yes, it is also true that he tutored with the Rams' coaches very diligently in the off season. However, it bears repeating--Tony Banks is a second year NFL Quarterback.
He will improve with better coaching, a better offensive scheme, hopefully an improved offensive line, and some painful memories of 1996.
But let's not confuse the 1997 Banks with Brett Favre, Steve Young or Troy Aikman. How will he respond to pressure of the Carolinas, San Franciscos, Green Bays and Denvers of the world?? We'll know soon, since the Rams play their first three games against two of the above mentioned opponents.
It will be the goals of Jerry Rhome to have Banks improve, maintain his composure and confidence, while being injury free. In retrospect, these are lofty goals.
Let's now turn our attention to the running game. In a nutshell, it must be better in 1997 for the Rams to improve. Last season, this dimension was simply non-existent. The running game starts (and perhaps ends) with Lawrence Phillips.
The controversial running back had brushes with the law in the off season and did serve time behind bars. Vermeil, in an attempt to be a father figure, boasts that #21 is basically a confused kid who is misunderstood and needs our support. It is Phillips, and only Phillips, that can make his head coach look like prophet or a fool.
On the field, Phillips must show the moves that made him famous in Nebraska. That is, the moves on the field, not off the field. Vermeil will have to monitor #21 very closely. The coach stuck his neck out and showed compassion to his troubled running back. Should Phillips revert to his sins of the past--then out the window and over the fence.
Meanwhile, in an attempt to protect themselves if Phillips proves to be a bust, the Rams inked Craig "Iron Head" Heyward to a rich free agent contract. Rams' management saw the signing not only as a complement to, but a role model for, Lawrence Phillips.
Iron Head began his stay in St. Louis on the wrong foot; arriving at camp 25 pounds overweight.
So you tell me--Is the running game better or not??
One must ask though, how good can a Tony Banks or a Lawrence Phillips perform if the guys ahead of him can't block?? That's why the Rams hired offensive line guru Jim Hanifan and selected All World Orlando Pace.
At this writing, Pace is still trying to absorb enough St. Louis money to fund a third world country, and a holdout at training camp. To counter, the Rams, went public with the Pace offer to show to the fans (while showing up Pace) their intent of signing their top pick.
Bottom Line: Pace needs the Rams and the Rams need Pace. He will be in the fold in 1997. The only question is when. I cannot fathom the Number One selection in the entire National Football League draft risking his career by sitting out an entire season because a $23 million contract package is unacceptable.
Hey Orlando, if you are sincere about wanting to perform--the money is there. Perhaps you should instruct your agents accordingly, rather than the other way around.
The Offensive Line should be better with Hanifan's teaching skills and eventually with the Prodigal Son Pace.
Finally, the Rams have to be concerned about their schedule. In addition to the two games each with Carolina and San Francisco, St. Louis has to travel to Denver, Oakland, Green Bay and Washington.
Actually, it is not out of the realm of possibility that this time could be 0--3 in mid-September. We may know very soon about the new-look Vermeil Management style should this team be winless after three weeks.
So, with all that said, the prediction here is that the Rams will again go 6--10 in 1997. However, don't scream yet you P S L Holders. Vermeil and his coaches will make this team play smarter and more fundamentally sound. The coach does need to get his system installed, bring in his "type of players" and then once accepted, upgrade the talent level.
So Rams Fans, Are you ready for some football??
So Dick Vermeil, Are you ready for anything??
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mike Huss hosts Sportstalk on WGNU-AM 920 each Tuesday and Thursday night, starting at 8 pm.
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