Rams News

Banks gets to play to hometown audience

Sunday, August 16, 1998

By Jim Thomas
Of The Post-Dispatch

> SAN DIEGO: Tony Banks played his high school football in San Diego for Herbert Hoover High. But the Hoover Cardinals never advanced far enough in the playoffs to play at Qualcomm Stadium.

He finally got his chance Saturday night, when the Rams played his hometown San Diego Chargers in a preseason game.

Banks completed three of five passes for 16 yards in the first quarter, after which the Chargers led 10-0 on a field goal by John Carney and a touchdown pass from Ryan Leaf to Freddie Jones.

"I watched a couple games (at Qualcomm) when my cousin was with the Chargers for one year," Banks said.

That would be former NFL linebacker Chip Banks, who played with the Chargers in 1987.

"I've never been a big Charger fan," Tony Banks said. "I've been a Raider fan, usually. My Pop Warner team, we were the Raiders, so it just kind of grew on me."

Banks spent about a month in San Diego around the time of the Super Bowl, which was played there, but most of his offseason was spent at Rams Park. And there was a pack of Banks family and friends in attendance Saturday. Banks paid for a dozen tickets.

Banks had some time to visit with his father, Norman, before game time but had no time to hit one of the local hangouts - Pacific Beach.

"They might not find me for the game if I go down there," Banks joked before the game.

Norman Banks did some pregame tailgating outside the stadium, and jokingly told Tony he wasn't going in for the game. With luck, Norman found his stadium seat promptly, because Banks was expected to play only one quarter Saturday before giving way to Steve Bono.

"I would have liked to have gotten in for a half, especially the way I played last week," Banks said.

California dreaming: In a series dating back to their long stay in Southern California, the Rams have met San Diego more than any other preseason opponent. Saturday's game marked the 30th preseason meeting between the teams, with the Rams winning 16 of the first 29.

Now that the Rams are in the Midwest, particularly with training camp in Macomb, Ill., these meetings are logistical nightmares. The Rams made an 80-minute bus trip to Peoria, then flew to San Diego on Friday afternoon. Getting back promised to be even tougher. Noise abatement laws at the San Diego airport forbid flights from leaving after midnight.

So the Rams planned to bus to North Island Naval Air Station after Saturday's game, fly to Peoria, then bus back to Macomb. The team was scheduled to arrive at Western Illinois University at 8:30 or so Sunday morning.

"That's a long way to go to play," coach Dick Vermeil said. "But, hey, I'm not going to complain about it. When you get good, they start sending you around the world."

Vermeil was referring to the American Bowl preseason games outside of the United States. Nonetheless, he said he would prefer a preseason schedule that included only regional opponents such as Chicago, Indianapolis, Nashville, and Governor's Cup foe Kansas City.

Local line: The San Diego roster includes two St. Louis area products. More precisely two graduates of Suburban North Conference schools: running back Terrell Fletcher (Hazelwood East High) and cornerback Doran Brew (McCluer North High).

Greg Gaines has landed on his feet, in the Chargers front office. Fired during the offseason from his job as a Rams college scout, Gaines is now the Chargers director of pro personnel. Gaines, 39, had been with the Rams since 1992 as a scout and defensive assistant coach. He was relieved of his duties after a disagreement with Rams vice president of player personnel Charley Armey.

Ram-blings: Sitting out Saturday's game with injuries for the Rams were linebackers Charlie Clemons (groin) and Roman Phifer (calf); defensive ends Bryan Robinson (knee) and Grant Wistrom (pinched nerve/neck); safety Keith Lyle (hamstring); wide receiver Johnny "J.T." Thomas (elbow); and offensive guard Zach Wiegert (hand).

- Dylan Mortimer, a graduate of McCluer North High, won the Rams 1998 media guide art contest sponsored by the Rams and the Post-Dispatch. Mortimer's cover illustration features wide receiver Isaac Bruce.

- Among those attending Saturday's game were former Rams defensive
coordinator Bud Carson, former 49ers coaching great Bill Walsh and former UCLA
coach Terry Donahue.

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