Ram Notebook : Cox Makes Up for Tough Start With Fourth-Quarter Catch

Ram Receiver Aaron Cox, who had earlier dropped 3 passes, redeemed himself on a fourth-quarter catch from quarterback Jim Everett that gave the Rams a first down and helped allow them to run out the clock. Saint cornerback Reggie Sutton was covering Cox on the play.

“We were playing man-to-man,� Sutton said. “He ran a 10-yard out and stopped. He took off and I thought he was going deep. But he didn’t. Everett rolled out. It was a real good pass, a good catch and a good route. On the third-down play, I thought we were going to be able to stop them, but we couldn’t.�

How careful was Cox on the 27-yard pass reception? Usually Cox tries to catch everything with his hands. This time he clutched the ball against his chest.

“You just want to make sure you catch it,� he said.

It’s just a thought, but Ram kicker Mike Lansford says he’s available for advertising purposes. Or more accurately, his bare right foot is available for billboard duty.

Lansford figures that some smart shoe company executive might want to approach him about an endorsement contract.

“I think it’s great: the barefoot kicker, the dying breed,� he said. “I think we should exploit it. I’m all for it.�

So much for the Ironhead. Saint running back Craig (Ironhead) Heyward, all 255 pounds of him, twisted his knee early in the game and carried the ball only once in the first half. He finished the day with 3 carries for 6 yards.

The Rams earned compliments from Saint Coach Jim Mora. A sampling:

--�Defensively, they pretty much dominated the football game. We couldn’t run it. We had a real hard time throwing it.�

--�Jim Everett played real well. He’s an outstanding young quarterback and one of the best in the NFL. He’s got a good arm, he’s got good poise and tremendous all-around ability.�

--�There were times we had them backed up there and just couldn’t keep them there. We let them out of the hole too many times.�