Eric Dickerson back on the Rams’ sideline in finale against Cardinals

Hall of fame running back Eric Dickerson returned to the Rams’ Coliseum sideline on Sunday for the first time since Jeff Fisher was fired as coach.

“I said I would come out after the stuff that went down with me and Jeff,” Dickerson said as the Rams warmed up for the season finale against the Arizona Cardinals. “I wanted to come back for the last game of the season, for sure.

“Like I said before, I always support my team. I love the Rams.”

Dickerson and the Rams were embroiled in controversy before Fisher was fired on Dec. 12.

The tempest stemmed from Dickerson’s request for sideline passes for friends to the Rams’ Nov. 20 game against Miami at the Coliseum.

Dickerson, who has been publicly critical of the Rams this season, said Fisher had called him a few days before the game to say he was not welcome on the sideline because he made players and coaches uncomfortable.

Fisher said Dickerson could not simultaneously criticize the Rams publicly and expect to receive special favors such as sideline passes. He also said he received a text from Dickerson after their conversation that indicated he and Dickerson had patched up the disagreement.

Fisher was fired the day after the Atlanta Falcons routed the Rams, 42-14, at the Coliseum.

Dickerson was not on the sideline for last week’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

“I don’t like that kind of stuff,” he said of the controversy. “That’s not what I’m about. I’m not here to try and get anybody fired. I just want my team to win, that’s it.”

Dickerson is following the Rams’ search for a new coach. He mentioned Jim Harbaugh and Jon Gruden and said he thought the Rams would look at “a lot of guys” such as Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and Buffalo interim coach Anthony Lynn.

“Whoever they hire, I just want him to do a good job,” Dickerson said. “ That’s all I want. I think L.A. deserves a winning football team.

“That’s not going to happen overnight. I want the fans to understand that. But if you’re putting up a good effort to win, that’s all you can ask.

“I mean I look at our defense. If you put our defense with a mediocre offense, I think we’d be in the playoffs. Our defense did a good job. They just can’t do it by themselves.”

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