Rams News

Rams burn up phone
lines but stand pat
04/18 12:35 AM

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff
The three-way tug of war continued Friday among Chicago, Jacksonville and the Rams. And it may be high noon today -- or just before the Bears make the No. 5 overall pick in the NFL draft -- before the situation is resolved.
When the dust settles, Chicago could be standing with an extra draft pick or two, and either the Rams or Jaguars could be holding the No. 5 overall draft pick -- and, of course, the rights to Penn State running back Curtis Enis.
The Rams called Mark Hatley, the Bears vice president of player personnel, at least four times Friday, according to one source familiar with the negotiations. For now, the Bears are sticking firm to demands for at least a second-round pick from St. Louis.
And the Rams are just as firm in continuing to say no. The Rams have an early pick in Round 2, No. 37 overall, and feel that's way too much to give to Chicago to move up one spot in the draft, even as much as Dick Vermeil likes Enis.
So as things stood Friday evening, team sources told the Post-Dispatch the Rams would more than likely stay at No. 6 and select University of Nebraska defensive end Grant Wistrom.
The Rams would then look for a running back in the second round, hoping that someone such as Robert Holcombe of the University of Illinois, Tavian Banks of Iowa or John Avery of Mississippi was still on the board.
As for any additional dialogue with Chicago, the Rams feel the next move is up to the Bears.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars are believed to be offering Chicago third-round and fifth-round picks -- Nos. 86 and 148 overall. Also involved would be the first of Jacksonville's two first-round picks -- No. 9 overall. But the Bears want more. (Despite the Bears' professed interest in Enis, the Rams are convinced the Bears really want a linebacker in the first round -- either Keith Brooking of Georgia Tech or Takeo Spikes of Auburn.)
It appears the Rams' interest in Wistrom has thrown Dallas, which picks No. 8 overall, into a mild panic. The Cowboys are thought to be targeting Wistrom with their first-round draft pick, especially now that defensive end Leslie O'Neal, released by the Rams in February, has signed with Kansas City instead of the Cowboys.
Interestingly, the Rams are now fielding calls from teams wishing to move into their No. 6 spot, something that was not the case Wednesday, when Vermeil and vice president of player personnel Charley Armey held a predraft news conference at Rams Park.
Could Dallas be one of those teams suddenly interested in trading up?
The No. 5 spot currently is the watershed position in the draft. ``There's four really defined players in the country,'' Vermeil said Wednesday.
That would be Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning, Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf, Florida State defensive end Andre Wadsworth and Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson. After those four, the Rams have about eight players rated almost evenly. Enis heads that gang of eight.
The group also includes defensive ends Wistrom and Greg Ellis (North Carolina), and offensive lineman Kyle Turley (San Diego State). Yes, the Rams like Turley better than Florida State offensive tackle Tra Thomas. Other likely candidates in that grouping of eight are Thomas, Brooking, Spikes and running back Fred Taylor (Florida).
On Wednesday, Vermeil said the staff consensus on the team's needs entering the offseason was as follows: (1) defensive end; (2) running back; (3) offensive guard; (4) middle linebacker; (5) wide receiver; (6) punter and (7) backup quarterback.
The Rams have filled Nos. 4-7 via free agency:
> Middle linebacker Eric Hill was signed from Arizona.
> Wide receiver Ricky Proehl was signed from Chicago.
> Punter Rick Tuten was signed from Seattle.
> As for quarterback, unrestricted free agent Will Furrer was re-signed, and the Rams traded a seventh-round pick in 1999 to Green Bay for Steve Bono.
That leaves running back, defensive end and offensive guard. But the Rams need depth and help at several other positions, which is one reason Vermeil is so reluctant to trade away draft picks.
The Rams still need plenty of bodies, and with five picks among the top 98 players, they could select several players today and Sunday who could make an immediate impact.

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