HOF RB Eric Dickerson Says He Won't Go to Rams Games While Jeff Fisher Is Coach

Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher has his work cut out for him. His boys have lost six of their last seven games, and need to finish the season 3-2 if they want to reach the 7-9 record that has become a Fisher trademark. A contract extension rumored earlier this season still hasn't come to pass, with Rams COO Kevin Demoff saying "no update" on the status of Fisher's contract following LA's 49-21 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Clearly, this is a man running out of ideas. Jeff Fisher still has an ace up his sleeve, however: starting a feud with Eric Dickerson, one of the most beloved players in franchise history.

Dickerson, the Hall of Fame running back who just so happens to be the Rams' all-time leading rusher, said on his radio show Monday that someone from the team's "upper management" told him that he wasn't welcome on the sidelines because of his criticism of the team. Dickerson spoke to the Los Angeles Times later that day and clarified that that someone was Fisher.

"I see a 314 number calling in," Dickerson told the Times. "So I get on the phone and say hello. He says, 'Hey, Eric, this is Jeff Fisher.' I said, 'How you doing, Jeff?' He said, 'I just wanted to call you. I want to tell you a few things here. I don't have time for this, but I'm going to tell you. You're not going to be talking about the football team, talking about our team, talking about my coaches, expecting to get things from this football team. We're not going to give you anything. We're not going to support you in anything. As long as I'm here as coach, we feel uncomfortable with you coming on the sideline. The players are uncomfortable with that. So as long as I'm head coach here, I'm just going to let you know it's not going to happen."

Dickerson says he went on to explain to Fisher that he is a grown man and doesn't "give a damn what you think," before upping the ante:

"I said, 'Jeff, I'm going to say this much to you. It's my last thing. First of all, I like [former Titans running back] Eddie George. Eddie George speaks very highly of you. I give you a pass because of Eddie. But I'm going to say this to you, Jeff: You never ever have to worry about me at a game again at the Coliseum as long as you're coaching. I'm not coming ever again. I don't want nobody to feel uncomfortable. Most definitely I don't want the players to feel uncomfortable. I don't care about your coaches feeling uncomfortable. I'm all about the players. You never have to worry about ever seeing me again."

This is the Rams' first season back in Los Angeles following a two-decade stint in St. Louis. Any fans old enough to remember the previous LA Rams remember Dickerson, who set the NFL's single-season record for rushing yards with 2,104 in 1983.

But this isn't the first time Dickerson has beefed with the Rams. He was traded to the Colts after he sat out the first two games of the 1987 season in a contract dispute. LA fans showered the running back with fake money when he returned to the Coliseum as an opponent in 1989.

Still, when given a choice between the temperamental former greatness of Dickerson and the temperamental current mediocrity of Fisher, it's hard to believe the fans would side with the coach.

Fisher told the Times that "Dickerson had every right to be critical of the team but could not expect favors in return. He also said he wanted Dickerson to be around the team as much as possible." COO Demoof, for his part, tweeted on Monday that Dickerson was always welcome at games and practices.

All Rams alumni, and especially — Kevin Demoff (@kdemoff)November 28, 2016

I have reached out to Eric to see where a miscommunication may have occurred & to clear up any confusion over his presence at games.

— Kevin Demoff (@kdemoff)November 28, 2016

Most importantly I want to make sure he knows that he is a valued member of — Kevin Demoff (@kdemoff)November 28, 2016

[Los Angeles Times]