Neither was a superstar Corner in the Jerry Grey mold and neither had that same success before or after (I think). So how did they do it? I was too young to recognize the subtleties of a defense. Did they have an unfamiliar scheme that teams struggled with? Extreme pressure up front? Could we see the same result with our DBs this year?
Anyone here that can remember vividly enough to answer my question?
Rams did have a great front four that was coming to an end, but still had Jack Youngblood, Mike Fanning, Larry Brooks and Fred Dryer. Thomas & Perry were dimnutive in size, but very fast and just were part of a great defense designed by Ray Malavasi and defensive coordinator Bud Carson. That's right the same Bud Carson that was Dick Vermeil's DC back in 1997.
Pat Thomas was the better of the two, but both of them were ball hawking corners that played great press coverage. Funny thing is both were hurt in 1979 and the Rams missed them until they got back, however, because the Rams had extra CB's on the roster it enabled to play 7 DB's at one time against the Dallas Cowboys in 1979 Playoff game in Dallas that led them to upset the Cowboys (Roger Stabauch's last game) that totally frustrated Stabauch & Tom Landry. Rams played a 4-7 with on passing downs!
BTW I was only twelve (born 1966) but I ate, drank and slept Ram football (nothings really changed) relatives knew for Birthday's & Christmas football magazines or subscriptions was WTG for me, but back to you inquiry, Thomas & Perry were short, but very fast and the Ram scheme allowed them to play in the face of the WR's which played to their strength.
