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INSIDE THE NFL

Pace's First Start a Memorable One

Huge tackle hits stride in first start

by Peter King

Posted: Wed October 1, 1997

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Rams left tackle Orlando Pace, the first pick in the '97 draft, was terrific in his NFL debut as a starter. Working mostly against Raiders defensive end Lance Johnstone in the 91-degree heat, Pace was in for all of St. Louis's 77 snaps, allowing no sacks and two quarterback pressures. "Big dude, man," said the 250-pound Johnstone, who, despite being 84 pounds lighter than his opponent, couldn't beat Pace around the corner. "I couldn't bullrush him, but he's got such quick feet I couldn't get around him either."

"I feel good about my day," said Pace, who, because of a training camp holdout, played only 82 snaps in the Rams' first four games. "Our goal today was to give our quarterback [Tony Banks] time to throw, and I think we did that." After being sacked 15 times in his first four games, Banks wasn't dropped in 49 pass attempts against Oakland. The combination of Pace on the left side and 26-year-old Wayne Gandy at right tackle should serve St. Louis well for years to come.

Issue date: October 6, 1997