Rams News

A touchdown?
For the Rams, it's a start

08/22/98

By Jeff Gordon
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

A touchdown!
Yes, the first-unit Rams offense actually scored a touchdown against a first-team defense this preseason. It didn't come until late in the first half of the third exhibition game, but, hey, it was six points.
Beleaguered quarterback Tony Banks ran it in himself, hurdling into the end zone to cap an actual 65-yard scoring drive against the Dallas Cowboys. The night was a success.
OK, so the first five offensive series were ugly. Hard-running Jerald Moore ran for a first down on the opening drive, then Moore caught a first-down pass from Banks on the second drive. And then there was, uh, well, nothing.
Three and out. Three and out. Three and a heroic 54-yard field goal by Jeff Wilkins.
This was shaping up as another preseason frightfest. Between the Rams bumblings, Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman was throwing darts. Wide receiver Michael Irvin was using young cornerback Dexter McCleon like his valet. Running back Emmitt Smith was plowing through the Rams defense like he was 24 again.
The Cowboys marched 82 yards for one touchdown and 91 yards for another. With 10 minutes left in the first half, Dallas had outgained our Male Sheep 211-39.
``We want to get started faster than we did,'' Banks said, ``because they got started pretty fast.''
Were the Rams ever going to awaken? They had staggered to bleak exhibition losses to Denver and San Diego amid player grumbling about coach Dick Vermeil's rigorous camp. Training camp no-show Ironhead Heyward ripped Vermeil from afar.
Holdout cornerback Ryan McNeil further muddled things by confusing himself with Night Train Lane during contract talks. That Sports Illustrated prediction of 2-14 for the Rams was looking sage.
After two brief, ineffective preseason showings, Banks struggled against the Cowboys. With less than three minutes left in the half, Banks was 2 for 11 for 18 yards. His fan club continues to dwindle.
Isaac Bruce chipped in by dropping a potential first-down pass and Ricky Proehl -- the team's possession receiver -- coughed up two more.
``I thought I was comfortable early on,'' Banks said. ``We had some crucial drops and I had some crucial misses. We have to be better on second down and our third-down percentage wasn't as high as we'd like it to be.''
His running game was no help either. While the Cowboys were pounding away with Smith and Chris Warren, the Rams trotted out David Thompson on four first-half possessions. Twice Thompson got stuffed on first-down rushes.
Unless the Rams coaches really believe Thompson will be their feature back come opening day, this made no sense. If you're going to play the first unit, PLAY THE FIRST UNIT. Robert Holcombe, who starred in garbage time, might have done more.
Alas, the nightmare ended. This preseason game turned on (ahem!) an interception by Rams defensive tackle Ray Agnew, which set up Wilkins' field goal and stopped the bleeding.
A fourth-down Rams stand gave Banks one last shot in the half and he finally got in sync. On a third-and-6 play, Banks connected with Bruce for a first down. It was Bruce's first catch of the dreary preseason.
Then Banks threaded a pass to Proehl for 22 yards in traffic and found Bruce on an 8-yard slant-in. On a third-and-2 play, Banks clicked with Thompson coming out of the backfield for 17 yards. Banks scored on the next play and finally, after a long summer's work, the Rams offense saw a payoff.
Vermeil wisely left Banks in for a second-half touchdown drive against the Cowboys subs. On a key third-and-12 play, Banks flicked a square-out strike to Bruce for 20 yards. Then he led Eddie Kennison perfectly in the end zone; the ensuing pass interference call set up a SECOND RAMS TOUCHDOWN. The first unit offense retired in peace with a 15-14 lead.
Banks wasn't breathtaking -- 9-for-20 for 107 yards and no touchdowns -- but he didn't turn the ball over.
This was a start, we suppose, and it was long overdue.
``I don't think any of us are where we want to be,'' Banks said. ``What I need is playing time. It was nice to get in there for an extended period of time. We were able to stay in there and work the kinks out.''

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