Rams News

Rams come clean with
selection of Wistrom, Holcombe

04/18/98

By Bernie Miklasz
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

Attention, Rams fans: Send your pies, cakes, pastries and other fattening food to Grant Wistrom. Hand him your leftovers. The team should immediately install a 24-hour delicatessen at Rams Park. The Rams are a football franchise; they need to be a fast-food franchise. Wistrom should make up a sign: ``WILL PLAY FOOTBALL FOR FOOD.''
In civilian life, Wistrom is a huge man, even at his college-career weight of 255 pounds. But if you're a lineman in the NFL, 255 makes you a stick figure. A virtual super model. Wistrom has pumped up to 273 pounds since turning in his Nebraska uniform -- ``just eating all the time,'' he explained -- but will he be able to maintain the bulk?
As a defensive end, Wistrom will be required to engage in hand-to-hand combat with offensive tackles who are as large as Puerto Rico. The last undersized Nebraska defensive end -- Trev Alberts -- who tried to take on the NFL big boys was stomped like a roach. At least we know that Wistrom isn't sampling some of those Lincoln vitamins (read: steroids). He's too lean. And clean.
Rams coach Dick Vermeil has no concerns. Wistrom is already like a son to DV, who became smitten in the broadcast booth while working Nebraska games on ABC. Vermeil raves about Wistrom's character, family, attitude and grade-point average.
``Grant is an outstanding young man,'' Vermeil said.
Agreed. But can he be a dominant defensive end? We'll have to wait and see . . . or in Wistrom's case, weight and see. He has the mean streak, hustle and competitiveness that any NFL team wants. He's also quick. Still, if some big offensive tackle raises a paw and swats Wistrom away like a bumblebee, the Rams won't have much to show for the sixth overall selection. Wistrom is a risky pick, but so was every other player chosen after the fourth overall selection. A lot of NFL teams wanted Wistrom.
I hope Wistrom gets it done. He's a first-class person, and a Missouri boy. The kind of guy you pull for. Same with Illinois running back Robert Holcombe, who has tireless legs and a stout heart. Just a wonderful young man, Holcombe. A vision of strength and dignity.
When drafted in the second round by the Rams, Holcombe gushed, ``I'm just grateful to God for giving me this opportunity. I'd like to give God all the praise for putting me in this position.''
And he means it. Holcombe is not to be confused with, say, Lawrence Phillips. Obviously, these top two draft choices upgraded the Rams' overall character. Vermeil, continuing the rehabilitation of Rams Park, has recruited two good citizens for his war against knucklehead behavior. These picks were a response to Vermeil's horrible experience with Phillips and other Rams who haven't cared enough about winning.
Wistrom and Holcombe represent all the personal virtues Vermeil covets so dearly. Wistrom is the antidote to the poisonous behavior that has been common at Rams Park.
To review:
> Phillips (gone) had an arrest record at Nebraska. Wistrom had a 3.7 GPA at Nebraska.
> Leslie O'Neal (gone) didn't like to work hard. Wistrom may sleep in the weight room.
> Dwayne White (gone) was too fat. Wistrom isn't fat enough.
> Jesse James (gone) was suspended for flunking an NFL drug test. Wistrom has studied to become a pharmacist.
> Ironhead Heyward (may be gone) is zestfully clean in a TV commercial. Wistrom is zestfully clean, period.
And Holcombe ran hard -- and gallantly -- for a winless Illini team. He has a special makeup. He's relentless. He's not going to pack it in when he runs into a linebacker . . . or adversity. He wants to attack. Get up. Attack again. Holcombe carried the ball 818 times for Illinois the past three seasons (and caught 66 passes) and was still hungry for more.
Vermeil could have picked up three extra draft choices (from Pittsburgh) to give up the pick used to pluck Holcombe, but he declined and got the back he wanted. Given the Rams' many needs, that decision is debatable. We really won't know for a couple of years if Holcombe (as a player) was worth it. There is no doubt, however, that Holcombe, the person, is special.
Vermeil gave Holcombe the ultimate compliment by comparing him to his favorite player, Wilbert Montgomery. ``There isn't any question, they have the same size heart,'' DV said.
Here's Saturday's message from Rams Park: Vermeil wants no lazy players, clowns or malcontents on his roster. Since taking over, he's dumped Phillips, O'Neal, White, James, Jermaine Ross, Bern Brostek, Gerald Perry, Marquis Walker and James Harris. Underachieving linebacker Robert Jones soon will be unemployed. Ironhead is on notice to shape up or else.
By all accounts, Wistrom is the type of young man who can sack a quarterback . . . then help the quarterback up . . . help the quarterback's grandmother cross the street . . . help the quarterback's son with a Boy Scout project.
``He'll never embarrass the Rams or the city of St. Louis,'' Vermeil said.
Holcombe, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, will zigzag only on the playing field. Off the field, he walks a straight line.
``The St. Louis fans, the first time they see (Wistrom and Holcombe) play, they will recognize what I mean when I talk about character,'' Vermeil said.
You won't hear Wistrom and Holcombe whining about Vermeil's long practices. Same with third-round draft choice Leonard Little, a tenacious pass-rush specialist who is crazy about playing.
``They'll love it,'' DV said.
Wistrom will need some body mass, and Holcombe will need some blocking. But understand what happened Saturday: This was DV's Spic and Span draft. He cleaned up Rams Park. That's nice.
It'll be even better if Wistrom and Holcombe can play good football.

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