clarinews@clarinet.com (MIKE BARNES, UPI Sports Writer) (01/16/90)
SAN FRANCISCO (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Rams were supposed to be the only ones capable of beating the San Francisco 49ers. So what happened in Sunday's NFC championship game? The 30-3 drubbing at the hands of the defending NFL champions showed that the Rams -- despite their impressive achievements this season -- have a ways to go before they can consider themselves the equal of their division rival. ``They are the bullies on our block,'' quarterback Jim Everett said after Joe Montana pushed San Francisco into its second straight Super Bowl. ``And we got bullied again. Right now they own the street.'' Once again this season, the Rams' title bid was hampered by the fact they had to make the playoffs as a wild card -- the 49ers won the NFC West -- and then had to play their postseason games on the road. In the three previous games before Sunday's at Candlestick Park, the Rams had to travel to and defeat New England, Philadelphia and the New York Giants. San Francisco, meanwhile, was off a week before pounding Minnesota in its opening playoff game at home. ``I'd have to say they were the fresher team out there,'' said wide receiver Henry Ellard, whose team has not played host to a playoff game since 1985 -- the last time the 49ers failed to win the division. Everett had a spectacular season, leading the NFL with 29 touchdown passes while becoming the first Ram to throw for at least 4,000 yards. Some say he's the quarterback of the `90s, but he's not so sure after his latest effort. ``The `90s are here,'' Everett said after completing only 16 of 36 passes for 141 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. ``Joe's creeping into the `90s. Things change, but it looks like he's going to be here for awhile.'' Everett had thrown at least one touchdown pass in his last eight games. His team's three points represented the Rams' most feeble effort since their last game of 1987 -- a 48-0 loss to, who else, San Francisco. Several Rams now have to decide on their future, including cornerback LeRoy Irvin, offensive tackle Jackie Slater and defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur. Irvin, a 10-year veteran who had four interceptions this season, might move into the boxing world as a promoter. ``Maybe it's time (to retire from football),'' he said. ``It looks like this was my last hurrah and it hurts.'' Slater made the Pro Bowl for the sixth time in the last seven years, but he's getting old. He'll be 36 next season, which would be his 15th in the NFL. Shurmur, meanwhile, said the Phoenix Cardinals may want to talk with him about their vacant head coaching position. ``We'll get together if they're still interested,'' the architect of the Eagle Defense said. ``Last time I heard they might be. I haven't had any contact lately.''