 RAMS HAVE GREAT ROLE MODELS, BY TOM RIVERS (OCT
19) |
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Someone in the PD wrote that
Carter is not always playing the defense called. Often during the course of a game, players are faced with decisions where their self-interests are in conflict with the team's goals and objectives. In all likelihood a defensive lineman has an incentive clause in his contract which is based upon number of sacks. Plus the more sacks he gets the more likely he gets a post-season trip the Honolulu. So he starts up-field hard, exposing himself to being trapped or opening up run lanes too big for a linebacker to fill. Or the defensive back has an interception clause in his contract. Play after play he makes decisions about how he is going to play the ball in the air. He may take high risk chances at interceptions, chances which may be and often are in conflict with the way he is coached and what is in the best interests of his teammates. Dick Vermeil's team in Philadelphia were the most unselfish teams I have ever seen. To a man on offense, defense, or special teams they played for each other and not for individual honors. Carl Hairston, The Ram's defensive line coach, played many years at a level that should have put him in the pro bowl, but he never made it. Only his teammates and coaches knew what a great players he was, since he always made his playing decisions based upon what was best for his teammates. There has never been a player who would not have loved having Carl for a teammate. John Bunting and Wilbur Montgomery, two other Rams assistants, were the same kind of players. Wilbur made the pro bowl because for several seasons he led the league in rushing, but he won the hearts of his teammates because he blocked, pick up blitzes, and almost always led his team in tackles after an interception. Wilbur's courage was even more impressive than his considerable running skill. ON THE RAMS DEFENSE. The Ram defense is a lot like the Falcon defense was last year---very sound, well coached, and opportunistic. However, they do not have dominating players. But do they need them? In last year's Super Bowl, neither the Falcon nor the Broncos had dominating players on defense, but both teams controlled the ball so well with their offenses that neither defense had to play many snaps on Sunday. In the 4th quarter they were still fresh while their opponent's defenses had lost heart trying to tackle either Anderson (Falcons) or Davis (Broncos). My point being---I think with our offense, and with the soundness of our defensive schemes, we are as good if not better than last year's Super Bowl teams. |
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