Rams Wait For Banks To Cash In Despite Growing Pains, Vermeil Lets His Young Qb Learn The Ropes

The kid had a fine rookie year. He is laboring in his second season.

Sorry if this brings back bad memories of Rick Mirer.

But St. Louis Rams quarterback Tony Banks’ brief career does parallel Mirer’s. The difference: Most NFL followers believe Banks has every tool necessary to become a great quarterback. Chicago is finding out, as Seattle did, that Mirer has the tools to be a great gardener.

Coaches are being patient with Banks, whose 2-4 Rams entertain Seattle this morning at the Trans World Dome. Banks has taken every snap from center while former Washington State Cougar Mark Rypien mans the clipboard on the sideline.

However, that patience might be wearing thin.

“This week more so than any other, it’s been a, ‘Hey, be ready’ type of thing,” Rypien said Saturday. “They asked how many (practice) snaps can you take, and of course I said, ‘Coach, I need all of ‘em.’ But they did sprinkle me in. Really that (changing quarterbacks) is something that hasn’t been done and for good reason. We’re not in a panic situation. We are in a situation where we’ve got to find guys to make some plays.”

For now, Rams coach Dick Vermeil has been willing to accept Banks’ growing pains.

“He needs a lot of work and experience,” Vermeil said. “He’s got a lot of talent and a lot of problems, fundamentally with his set-up technique, he has to improve his accuracy, but he’s tough as hell and mobile. He just needs a lot of playing time.”

Banks has deposited loads of passes into enemy hands and to various yard-line markers. Toss out his openinggame stats in a win over New Orleans and Banks has two touchdown passes in his last 165 attempts. He’s completed less than 50 percent in four of the last five games and twice has been below 40 percent.

“I’ve been pressing a little bit, trying to do too much on certain occasions,” Banks said. “I’m trying to tone that down, but it’s still been pretty tough. I don’t think I’m playing as well as I was last year as a rookie. We have enough athletes here where I don’t need to take it back on myself.”

Rypien is proud of how Banks has dealt with a difficult situation.

“Tony asked me if I’ve ever been through any adversity,” said Rypien, who could instruct courses on the subject. “I said, ‘Tony, I had adversity prior to the Super Bowl and after.’ Look at (Dan) Marino this year. The thing is you can’t shun yourself from the media. You’ve got to face up to the expectations that come with the position and still not point fingers.

“I think Tony’s gained some respect from the guys that way.”

In fairness, Banks hasn’t had the full complement of the Rams’ receivers. Isaac Bruce, Torrance Small and Eddie Kennison have been injured at various times, and running back Lawrence Phillips has been slowed by turf toe. Banks also has been sacked 19 times as a young line, which features ‘97 No. 1 pick Orlando Pace and ‘94 first-rounder Wayne Gandy at the tackles, learns the ropes.

“When I look at the film in the third and fourth quarters sometimes I take a couple of shots,” Banks said. “I consider myself tough, but sometimes I let it get to me and maybe I’m throwing off my back foot when I don’t need to.”

Banks, 24, didn’t have the luxury of easing into the position as Rypien did in his first pro season. Banks was the only rookie quarterback in the NFL to start last season. He started 13 games.

“If you weren’t Marino or (John) Elway, back then you weren’t thrown into the fire,” Rypien said. “I was very fortunate in that regard.”

Banks believes he’s fortunate to be No. 1 so soon.

“When everything is going well, everybody assumes it’s better for a young quarterback to go out there and take his reps,” Banks said. “When things are going bad, everybody says he should have played behind somebody for a couple of years. Anytime you are able to be on the field it’s going to speed up the process.”

Handoff

All three Seahawks running backs are expected to play. Lamar Smith apparently will start.

Chris Warren is returning from a hamstring injury. Steve Broussard has been the most productive runner at 10.6 yards per carry and three touchdowns. Smith is gaining 5 yards per carry, Warren 4.3.

“My philosophy is to play the guy who is playing best,” coach Dennis Erickson said. “You’ll probably see Steve a little earlier because he’s been making plays.”

Notes

Seattle used last week’s bye to rest its battered squad. Everybody’s back except quarterback John Friesz (thumb) and end Phillip Daniels (knee). Erickson said Friesz might be ready to practice by Wednesday. Daniels could return next week, too.

Safety Bennie Blades has been limited by a pinched nerve in his neck. Fourth-year pro Jay Bellamy would be Blades’ replacement… . The Rams’ Pace and Seattle cornerback Shawn Springs, both from Ohio State, were two of the top three players taken in the draft. Springs joked during the week that Rams’ game tapes seem to show Orlando has picked up the Pace at the dinner table. “I’m 335 about (pounds),” Pace said, “but he probably won’t believe that.”

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