Despite Differences, Brock Follows Rules : Former CFL Quarterback’s NFL Debut With Rams Deemed a Success

After playing 11 seasons in the Canadian Football League, Dieter Brock’s debut at quarterback for the Rams Saturday night against the Houston Oilers was curiously awaited by many.

First of all, would Dieter remember all the rules down here in the National Football League?

Would he call time out when he discovered he only had 11 players on the field (They play with 12 in the CFL.)?

Would he walk off the field after third down, thinking the series was over (There are only three downs in the CFL.)?

Would he accidently run out of bounds thinking he had plenty of room on the sidelines (The field is wider in the CFL)?

Actually, Brock remembered all his cues. And though his numbers weren’t great, they were a little deceiving.

Brock, who played most of the first half in the Rams’ 7-3 win over the Oilers, completed 5 of 12 passes for 49 yards. But three of his passes were dropped.

“I think he did a good job,” Rams Coach John Robinson said. “He did two good things against the nickel defense. In those detail things, you have to execute. I thought he was very much at home.”

For the most part, Brock’s throws were crisp and accurate.

And so what that his team didn’t score a point while he was in there. This was only an exhibition game, right?

“It wasn’t exactly a blazing offensive show,” Brock said. “But the key thing was that I was confident while I was out there. That’s a plus. But we didn’t score a point, so that’s a minus.”

The Rams signed Brock back in March and have big expectations for the quarterback who threw for more than 34,000 yards in the CFL.

Brock was just glad to get the first game out of the way.

“I felt pretty good,” Brock said. “I was kind of nervous during the day, but I felt pretty good once I got out here and started warming up.”

For the record, Brock’s first official pass attempt for the Rams was completed to George Farmer for six yards in the first quarter. It was a simple, sideline pattern.

Those who came to the game expecting to see some long bombs from the quarterback with the legendary arm went away disappointed.

“We only threw that one long one to Ron Brown,” Brock said.

It was incomplete.

It wasn’t exactly vintage Charles White, but it wasn’t bad, either. The former Heisman Trophy winner from USC is getting a chance to make the team as a special teams player. But with Eric Dickerson out of camp and A.J. Jones ailing, White got a chance to turn back the pages for one night.

He gained 79 yards on 16 carries and had one dazzling, 25-yard run in the fourth quarter.

“It’s been a long time,” White said. “I think the last time I had a run like that was 1979. The only time I got to carry the ball in Cleveland was every blue moon.”

White is wisely taking advantage of the opportunity while the world waits for Dickerson to return.

“Eric has to do what he has to do,” White said. “When he comes back, he knows he has a job. Charles White has to take care of himself.”

What’s it feel like to run with the ball once again?

“You feel kind of rusty,” White said. “It’s like putting something on the shelf. It takes a while to get it revved up again.”