Rams News

1997 RECORD: 5-11 (fifth in NFC West). ARRIVALS: Wide receiver Ricky Proehl, nose tackle Ray Agnew, linebacker Eric Hill, punter Rick Tuten, tight end Tyji Armstrong, running back Kevin Bouie, defensive tackle James Manley. DEPARTURES: Defensive end Leslie O'Neal, defensive end Bill Johnson, specialist Keith Crawford. STAYING PUT: Running back Amp Lee, offensive lineman Ethan Brooks, quarterback Will Furrer. FIRST-ROUND DRAFT POSITION: 6th.

Jerald Moore will get a chance to be the Rams' feature back in 1998.

OFFSEASON NEEDS:
Running back. Lawrence Phillips is gone, leaving Jerald Moore the chance to become the Rams' featured back. Competition will be scarce, though, unless St. Louis decides to use their first pick in the draft on someone like Penn State's Curtis Enis, widely-regarded as the top running back available.
Offensive line. With the exception of Orlando Pace at left tackle and Ryan Tucker at guard or center, who will start where is a mystery.
Defensive line. The Rams lost two big pieces to their defensive line puzzle when they released Leslie O'Neal and watched Bill Johnson sign with the Eagles. Although the addition of ex-Giant Ray Agnew is a plus, St. Louis could still use another body or two to complement pass-rush extraordinaire Kevin Carter.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: Tackle Orlando Pace joined users for a live chat Wednesday, March 25.

QUOTABLE:
"I think, for one, Tony Banks will have a lot more confidence in the offense. Also, now that we've had time getting to know each other, the offensive line will be better." — Offensive tackle Orlando Pace on what he expects the biggest improvement in the Rams' offense to be in 1998.
"It'll make Tony better because he'll have someone watching him every snap." — Head coach Dick Vermeil on what it means to have Mike White as the new quarterbacks coach.

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