Rams News


Vermeil, Ditka begin second year of comeback tour

09/04/98 03:59:33 AM

By R.B. FALLSTROM AP Sports Writer
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- In year two of the comeback tour for Mike Ditka and Dick Vermeil, the matchup just doesn't seem so compelling.

Last year Vermeil couldn't keep the St. Louis Rams from running their string of losing seasons to eight in a row, and Ditka was no miracle worker with the New Orleans Saints, either. The two former coaching giants combined for 11 victories, six for Ditka and five for Vermeil.

So instead of lofty, presumptuous Super Bowl talk, both men seem to be highly satisfied with nebulous progress in the NFL backwaters. The Fox TV announcing pair of Ray Bentley and Brian Baldinger for Sunday's game says it all.

``I don't know that I have all the players by any means that I would say are my type of players,'' Ditka said. ``I have a lot of them and I know they're going to play hard for us.

``Whether it works out or not, we'll find out.''

Ditka is in for the long haul, having signed a five-year contract extension last month. Now he's trying to integrate 13 new starters to his way of thinking, seven on defense.

The Saints' 1-3 preseason record indicates it's been slow going. He said the second year has been no easier.

``It seems to be a minicrisis every day and I realize none of this stuff is that significant,'' Ditka said. ``Yet when you're dealing with it and it's your life's job it all becomes purely significant.''

Offensive tackle William Roaf said Ditka, who threatened to quit at one point last year, has been great thus far.

``At some point I think Ditka was like `What have I gotten myself into?' '' Roaf said. ``But the challenge of trying to turn this into a successful franchise again, I think that pushes him and it pushes us as players.''

One area the Saints already have cut down on is swearing, after Ditka decreed that profanity be followed with the words, ``Praise the Lord.'' It's worked, at least, for the boss.

``I haven't sworn,'' Ditka said. ``I'm not saying this will be for eternity, but I have quit.''

Vermeil didn't make nearly as many changes with the Rams, with linebacker Eric Hill, wide receiver Ricky Proehl and punter Rick Tuten the only changes in the starting lineup. Perhaps the biggest switch is Vermeil, an overseer last year, will call most of the plays.

For whatever reason, he hasn't been his usual optimistic self most of the preseason.

``I'm concerned about everything,'' Vermeil said. ``As a head coach, you live in a state of concern.''

Due to a scheduling quirk, the game is a rematch of last year's season opener, also played in St. Louis. The Rams won that game 38-24, their fourth straight over the Saints, then proceeded to lose 10 of the next 11, so Vermeil is placing no extra emphasis on a fast start.

``I liken an NFL season to a 16-round fight,'' Vermeil said. ``It's nice to win the first round, but you have 15 more of them to fight, and there is no guarantee that if you win the first round you won't get knocked out in the third, fourth or fifth round.''

Both teams are getting back key personnel from lengthy holdouts just in time for the opener, although neither cornerback Ryan McNeil of the Rams nor defensive lineman Joe Johnson of the Saints are expected to play much.

McNeil, who had been unhappy that the Rams designated him as their franchise player, signed a one-year, $3 million contract on Monday. Johnson signed on Wednesday.

``I don't know if he'll play, but he'll be with us,'' Ditka said. ``He's in pretty good shape, but there's no way to get in football shape unless you play football.''

The Rams had asked for a two-game roster exemption for McNeil, but withdrew the request after watching him practice once. Vermeil said McNeil, who led the NFL with nine interceptions last year, would be the fourth cornerback until he reacclimated himself.

``The only thing I've been wanting to do is play and get paid accordingly,'' McNeil said. ``That part was business and this part is what I enjoy. This is the fun part.''



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