Preseason Game #4: at Kansas City 8/28/98

Last Game

The Rams played by all accounts their best game of the preseason in a 10-6 victory over Kansas City last weekend. For the first time, including the Dallas game, which they also won, the Rams starters outscored their opponents starters. KC was playing without a couple of key starters on both sides of the ball, nonetheless many are predicting that the Chiefs could likely be a Super Bowl team this year. The Rams opening drive was simply a thing of beauty. They marched the ball right down the field and never once even got to third down. Running back Greg Hill started and exacted a bit of revenge on Chiefs coach marty Schottenheimer by playing very well, showcasing his speed to the corners, and capping off the drive with a 4 yard touchdown on a sweep around the right side behind the awesome lead blocking of TE Ernie Conwell The starting defense was less dominant and the run defense is Vermeil's #1 concern heading into the season. They gave up a number of mid range runs to Chiefs tailback Donnell Bennet, but they held up when it counted. The key stat for the defensive line was that it held the Chiefs all-pro level offensive line in check, stuffing them on 3 separate occasions on 4th and 1. The pass defense was much improved from a week ago, as CB Dexter McCleon, who has been picked on in the preseason, stepped up and held his own in coverage against the Chiefs WRs. The defensive line still needs to get better push on the pass rush and work on disengaging from their blockers in order to cut down on opposing QB's time in the pocket. Starting quarterback Tony Banks looked very sharp throughout the first half. The Rams coaches finally unleashed a number of their "new wrinkles" that they have been talking about in camp, and Tony executed them very cleanly. Gone were the deep 7-step drops and eons in the pocket, replaced by a series of short 3-step drops and timing patterns to the WRs running short and medium range slants across the middle ala the West Coast Offense. Tony also was effective from the shotgun, and he is perhaps at his very best on rollouts in which he leaves the pocket and demonstrates his superior arm strngth, throwing on the run. Tony's favorite target in this game was embattled veteran WR JT Thomas. JT was on the bubble prior to the game, and head coach Dick Vermeil sat Ike Bruce down early in the 1st quarter in order to make a conscious effort to evaluate Thomas. JT did not dissappoint. He ran good routes and caught everything thrown his way, usually across the middle. thomas made the team by virtue of his performance Friday night. Among the backups, running back Robert Holcombe once again looked great in the 4th quarter... many fans feel there is a strong case for Robert to start right off the bat. Nonetheless, the starting tailback job has been given to Jerald Moore at least to start the year. Jerald played fullback in the Chiefs game and he'll be 2nd on the depth chart behind Derrick Harris at that position, barring a comeback by last year's starter Ironhead Heyward. All in all it was a great confidence and momentum builder for these Rams. Now the games start to count. Bring on the Saints!!! Up Next: NEW ORLEANS Peace, FastEddie HOME