Rams News

Vermeil plans to continue calling all the plays

09/01/98

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

On numerous occasions during the offseason, Dick Vermeil said he would take a more active role in the offense. But who knew it would come to this?
Beginning with the Rams' second preseason game -- against San Diego -- Vermeil started calling all the plays. He plans to continue doing so throughout the regular season, which begins Sunday against New Orleans at the Trans World Dome.
When Vermeil returned to coaching last season after a 14-year absence, he attempted to be a '90s kind of coach. He delegated. He tried to be a CEO. He kept his hands off the offense, in part because he had been away for so long.
But Vermeil always had an offensive bent. He called his own plays in the past. He has a tendency to micromanage. So maybe this was inevitable.
``I think it was,'' Vermeil said. ``And I think after this week, it'll go even further. I'll be more involved in the game-planning. I thought I was going to be this week.''
But paring the roster to the 53-man regular-season limit was taxing. There was the trade with New England for defensive end Mike Jones. Ryan McNeil finally coming to contract terms. Plus, all the little details that are part of getting ready for a season opener.
``I don't know how many times I was in the film study room (Monday) and was called out of it,'' Vermeil said. ``I've got a distraction every five minutes. That's the nature of the first weekend. Next weekend, it'll be a lot easier for me.''
Vermeil stayed at Rams Park until the wee hours Monday night and Tuesday morning trying to catch up on the game plan. With his added concentration on offense, Vermeil is being spread thin. He can only be in so many places at one time. ``No question,'' Vermeil said. ``But I've got such great support people in Lynn Stiles and Mike White. And it helps not being involved in the defense other than the little overall things.''
Vermeil called maybe 10 plays in the exhibition opener with Denver. But after that game, Vermeil said, ``Some coaches came to me, starting with Jerry (Rhome), and said, `I think you ought to call them.' ''
Why?
``I don't know,'' Vermeil said. ``I think part of it was that some of the suggestions I made during games on certain calls appeared to be very good calls. So that's a positive. And sometimes it takes the heat off someone getting . . . chewed out.''
For calling the wrong play, or making a suggestion that backfired. Not a positive.
Vermeil has even been scripting plays at the start of games. Friday against Kansas City, Vermeil said all 10 plays on the team's first possession -- a 70-yard touchdown drive -- were decided on before the game.
Nonetheless, Vermeil has been his own worst critic as a play caller. Sometimes he's gotten the plays in so late that the Rams were flagged for delay of game. There have been times when he knows the play but can't find the proper terminology on his play sheet to make the call.
``I'm still not sold on it,'' Vermeil said. ``But I'm going to stay with it until I think I lost a game because of it.''
Does this show a lack of confidence in Rhome, who called plays last season as the team's offensive coordinator?
``It has nothing to do with that,'' Vermeil said. ``No matter what you do, you're always open to being second-guessed. From what I understand, I was second-guessed last year for not calling the plays.''
But Vermeil added: ``Sometimes, a head coach is more willing to take risks than an assistant coach.''
There can be no disputing, however, that Rhome's sphere of influence has been reduced since last season, when he was quarterbacks coach. This year, White is quarterbacks coach, although Rhome is still involved with that position.
When asked about Vermeil's decision to call plays, Rhome shrugged and said, ``He's the head coach. I'm just helping him the best I can. In that position, I'm his eyes. And anything that happens where maybe he gets something not exactly right as far as the call, I straighten him out.''
No matter who's calling the plays, some different wrinkles are planned in the offense this season:
> More emphasis on the short passing game.
> More two-back formations.
> Installation of the shotgun formation, which Rhome thinks will be a big help to Tony Banks.
``It takes pressure off the `dogs' and blitzes that occur inside,'' Rhome said.
As for the shift in emphasis to a short passing game, Rhome says, ``Maybe a better term is `higher-percentage.' Because a higher-percentage can be a medium-range passing game also.
``I think everybody in the NFL is trying to throw quicker. The NFL has turned into more of a pressure league. They don't have a problem coming after (the quarterback). If you can stay away from turnovers and sacks, you've got a great chance of not beating yourself.''

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