Rams News

Defensive end help
top Rams draft list
04/16 11:53 PM

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

Despite Bud Carson's trickery and blitz packages, only five teams had fewer sacks than the Rams last season. And 10 of their sacks belonged to Leslie O'Neal, who was released by Dick Vermeil in February. (And is now headed to Kansas City.)
Little wonder, then, that the consensus of the Rams coaches and personnel department is that defensive end is the team's greatest need entering the 1998 season. The Rams need someone who can get to the quarterback from right end, the prime pass-rushing position in 4-3 alignments.
Regardless of what happens on draft day, the Rams will have two new starters on their defensive line in '98. Free agent Ray Agnew will man the tackle spot left vacant when Bill Johnson signed a free agent contract with Philadelphia.
The two returning starters are tackle D'Marco Farr and left end Kevin Carter. The Rams feel they have decent depth inside with Jeff Zgonina, Bryan Robinson and offseason pickup James Manley, a street free agent who was a second-round draft pick by Minnesota in 1996. Robinson, who has bulked up to nearly 300 pounds, also can play end.
Jay Williams is a solid backup/spot starter at end. He played 26 percent of the team's defensive snaps a year ago, more than any other defensive reserve, and started two games in November when O'Neal was injured.
If the Rams draft Penn State running back Curtis Enis in the first round, meaning they would look for a defensive end in the second round or later, look for them to renew efforts to sign free agent end Clyde Simmons.

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