ekblaw@uiucdcsp.CS.UIUC.EDU (10/30/85)
Well, would you believe it? I prepare to speak about the great season of the Rams and the bad seasons of the 49ers and Redskins, and they do the opposite of my topic. 49ers and Redskins win, and the Rams lose. What a jinx I proved to be! Despite the loss on Sunday, however, you cannot dispute the accomplish- ment of the LA Rams this season. What has made them so good? The main answer is defense. The Rams defense has improved greatly since last season. How? Practice! John Robinson, the Rams head coach, was displeased with the Rams performance, both offensively and defensively, in their last couple of games of last season. Thus, while Robinson took strides to improve the offense, the defensive staff, as well as the players, got together to work things out. And get together they did! During most of the offseason, the defense planned new schemes, practiced procedures, and ran drills. There was no time for vacation for these folks - they had work to do! Do it, they did, as this season's performance showed. Rated #1 overall in the NFC entering Sunday's game, they proved what hard work could do. Despite the loss, I congratulate them on their fine performance. Even though the Rams defense has received media attention, we must not ignore the changes in the offense that have helped this team. Once of the most significant of these changes is a quarterback named Dieter Brock. He may not have had the NFL rookie season of Dan Marino or John Elway, but he has had a positive influence on the Rams team. Unlike most rookies, he has had much experience in a professional football league (11 years in the Canadian Football League). He has a much broader perspective and different outlook than the other rookie quarterbacks. Unlike the Marinos and Elways, he has a less enthusiastic and more knowledgable outlook about his game. He knows what can happen in the professional ranks, and the disappointments that come with it. His experience adds a tougher edge into the Rams' offensive lineup, and this has helped to motivate them. Their offense may not be at a Miami or Dallas level (not yett, anyway), but I can see a lasting impression upon the Rams offense made by Brock. Watch the Rams offense to do notthing but improve. While the Rams have improved sharply this year, the 49ers have declined at a similar rate. What has happened to last year's Super Bowl Champs? I believe that the surprise is gone. Despite a 15:1 record last year, everyone's attention was on Miami and Dan Marino. Only the Bears took the 49ers serious in the playoffs, only the Rams did during the regular season. Neither team, at that time, was strong enough to do anything about it. Going into the Super Bowl, the Dolphins were still the center of attention, despite the 49ers SHUTOUT of the Bears in the NFC Championship game. Now, however, that element of surprise is gone. Everybody saw how they played in the playoffs, and everyone was ready for them. That hurt the 49ers. I also believe that attitude hurt them. They entered this season saying, "We're the Champs! We can walk over any team without working up sweat."Nice thought, but wrong. They couldn't, and it was proven. However, after a few weeks of embarrassment, the 49ers seem to be back o track. They are aware of the ability of the opposing teams, and have cut off the ego trip. Look for them to improve from now on. Now, on to Washington. What, pray tell, has caused the decline in the nation's capitol. Not a political or economical decline, mind you, but a sports decline. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS? Despite all the media hype, I don't believe that the core of the teams' problems revolve around any dislike or distrust between the team and Joe Thiesman (sp?). I don't think there is very much problem there, if any. No, the Redskins problem is much more noticeable - they're old. Not necessarily age (though they qualify there, too), but in play. They are doing much of the same thing anymore, while other teams are trying new formations and new plays. The Redskins have to get out of the late 70s and early 80s and enter today. If they don't, they won't be winners. It's as simple as that. Dallas did poorly last season because of the same thing. They hadn't come up with anything original for four to five years, just prior to the start of their decline. It's now the same situation at Washington. To be successful, you must roll with the changes. That's all for this week. Next week, I'll talk about the image of the Dallas Cowboys. Is there a blot on the spotless record of America's Team? I'll let you know. Until then, have a good week. NFL Ace
dday@gymble.UUCP (Dennis Doubleday) (11/01/85)
In article <16100002@uiucdcsp> ekblaw@uiucdcsp.CS.UIUC.EDU writes: (about the LA Rams) > Rated #1 overall in the NFC entering Sunday's game, (against SF 49ers) Just where does this supposed rating come from? The last time I looked the Chicago Bears were undefeated also. Going into last Sunday, they had a record identical to the Rams 7-0 and a much larger point differential. After the latest round of games, of course, the Bears are 8-0 and have scored *more* points AND given up *less* points than any team in the NFC. And I haven't heard anybody from Jimmy the Greek to Ahmad Rashad say that he thought the Rams were a better team than the Bears. BEAR DOWN CHICAGO BEARS! -- UUCP: seismo!umcp-cs!dday Dennis Doubleday CSNet: dday@umcp-cs University of Maryland ARPA: dday@gymble.umd.edu College Park, MD 20742 Fan of: Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, OU Sooners (301) 454-4247
ekblaw@uiucdcs.CS.UIUC.EDU (11/05/85)
Mr. Doubleday, since I am a Chicago Bears fan, I wished they were #1 also. But we must remember that many of the Bears victories had come at the hands of perrenially weak teams. The Rams played stronger teams, so the point differencewas smaller. However, according to experts, the Rams offensive yardage is better than the Bears. Remember, some of the Bears point difference is due to their strong defense. Defensive performance doesn't enter into offensive rankings. Robert A. Ekblaw