Rams News

St. Louis Rams
Team Report posted
March 29, 1998
by tsn correspondent
JIM THOMAS
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Vermeil isn't sure who he likes better at quarterback, Tennessee's Peyton Manning or Washington State's Ryan Leaf. But in terms of pure physical ability, he'll take Tony Banks.

"I believe if you put him out on the practice field, and worked him out in comparison to the top kids coming out now -- and the top kids that came out last year -- he would be more physically impressive," Vermeil said. He also said that doesn't necessarily mean Banks will be a better NFL quarterback than Manning or Leaf.

It does look as if Banks is realizing what it takes to be a top-flight NFL quarterback: he hasn't missed a day in the team's offseason program so far. Another workout regular has been offensive tackle Orlando Pace, the No. 1 overall draft pick last year.

"I think Orlando's probably two seasons away from being a Pro Bowl player," Vermeil said. "Once he gets there, he'll play there every year. I really believe that. He's really learning to work and be a pro.". . .

With the draft less than three weeks away, Vermeil hasn't changed his mind on Marshall wide receiver Randy Moss: He wouldn't touch him with a 10-foot pole.

"He won't be on our board on draft day," Vermeil said. "I don't need any more problems. No reflection on Lawrence Phillips. I just don't believe in taking Georgia Frontiere's and Stan Kroenke's money and making that kind of investment." . . .

A battery conviction as a high school senior caused Notre Dame to revoke a scholarship offer. At Florida State, he never suited up after getting caught with marijuana. That violated his probation, and Moss served about a month of a one-year jail sentence before walking on at Marshall.

"I'll tell you this: If he was a New York stock and had been going down all those times, would you put $6 million of your savings in that stock?," Vermeil said. "Hey, I hope he's successful. I hope he's a great kid. I hope he solves all his problems. I really do.

"I'm not against him. I just can't justify to our people drafting a person with continual problems. Hey, kids don't have to be choir boys. But he has a pretty good track record. And there's probably a lot we don't know." . . .

Now that the New York Jets have running back Curtis Martin, Adrian Murrell is trade bait and the Rams could be interested. Vermeil was noncommital on the subject, saying only that he and Jets coach Bill Parcells have talked on a variety of subjects this offseason.

Parcells and Vermeil collaborated last year on the pre-draft trade that allowed St. Louis to make Orlando Pace the No. 1 overall pick.

Talks continue with free agent running back Greg Hill (Kansas City), but the Rams appear to be in no hurry to sign him. The team's No. 1 backfield target may still be Penn State's Curtis Enis, whom Vermeil likes a lot.

Enis is the big back that seems to fit well with the old power-running Washington H-back style of attack the Rams use under offensive coordinator Jerry Rhome. . . .

Rams president John Shaw, who was seriously considering stepping down last fall, will continue with the club for at least another season. . .

Minority owner Stan Kroenke has increased his share of the club to 40 percent from 30 percent, but there is no timetable for a possible buyout of majority owner Georgia Frontiere. . . .

Rams quarterback candidate Kurt Warner, formerly of Northern Iowa and the Arena League's Iowa Barnstormers, has been impressive in preseason scrimmages for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe. . . .

The Rams are no longer interested in free agent cornerback Willie Clark (Philadelphia) as a nickel back candidate, because his asking price is too high.

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