Rams News

Ease up on Banks, Vermeil says
09/15 12:04 AM

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

Dick Vermeil says home turf "should be sacred ground." It should be a place where fans motivate the home team to do its best.
Which is why Vermeil wants spectators at the Trans World Dome to lighten up in their booing of quarterback Tony Banks.
"Since he started as a rookie, and the fans saw him do so many rookie things, poor Tony's in an atmosphere that as soon as he does something wrong, they get all over him," Vermeil said. "Instead of home being a positive influence on him, it becomes a negative influence on him.
"And I'm not blaming anybody for his four interceptions. But there's no way (the booing) can help you. As soon as he throws touchdown passes, they absolutely go bananas. But you aren't going to throw them all complete, and you're going to miss a third-and-short yardage pass once in a while. And you're going to throw interceptions.
"But it would be great if they could understand, he's still our quarterback. And they can help."
Banks threw a career-high four interceptions in the Rams' 38-31 loss Sunday to Minnesota. Three of them resulted in 17 points for the Vikings. At one point during the game, Banks' picture was displayed on the twin scoreboard screen in the Dome - to update spectators on his stats - and the boos were thunderous.
Although Banks is even-tempered - some have called him a "flat-liner" - Vermeil says the boos "can't help him. . . . I think it does affect him."
Banks is the favorite target of boobirds, but it's certainly not an exclusive club. Vermeil also was booed loudly when his picture was flashed on the scoreboard in a taped public service announcement. "I didn't really notice that," Vermeil said. "That wouldn't bother me, but I don't even hear it."
And whether it's a silly penalty, or a poor punt, or a touchdown by the opposing team, there have been boos directed in many other directions.
For running back Greg Hill, who spent his first four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, hearing fans booing the home team is a new and unwanted experience.
"That really bothered me, whenever I heard the boos," Hill said. "And then when you go out and put all those points on the board, then you hear cheers. I'm (thinking), 'Come on now, you can't be fair weather fans.' We played hard out there, and at the end of the game, the people understood that we went out there and laid it on the field."
Curiously, the Rams have lost seven in a row at home but have won their past three on the road, dating back to last season. Perhaps the team is more relaxed on the road. Vermeil said he wasn't sure if the booing, which has been louder than ever this season, is affecting the team's performance.
Vermeil mildly disputed the suggestion that fans are booing because they have yet to see any improvement from the Rams in three-plus seasons in St. Louis.
"I don't know what they paid for their tickets Sunday, but if they didn't get their money's worth. . . ." Vermeil said. "We can't ask (the Rams players) to do any more than they did Sunday. One play one way or another, we win the football game.
"Hopefully, the fans can recognize progress. But you have to measure it in different ways. Now if they didn't see progress Sunday, then I can't speak for them."

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