Rams News

Vermeil's gushing resumes as minicamp ends

04/26/98

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

When it comes to praising players, Dick Vermeil is Old Faithful. Just one day after telling reporters he would try to restrain himself, Vermeil was at his gushing best Sunday.
Perhaps he was spurred on by the 5,000 enthusiastic fans who watched the Rams wrap up their first minicamp on PSL Family Day at the Trans World Dome. But he just can't help himself.
Here's a Vermeil Sunday sampler:
> ``The most impressive guy to me has been (running back) David Thompson. He startles me. Every time he touches the ball, I say, `Wow!' There's an air of confidence about the young man.''
> ``Lorenzo Styles, the middle linebacker, has flashed. Charlie Clemons has really flashed -- a young outside linebacker who last year was totally lost most of the year.''
> ``Dexter McCleon has made a definite move, as has Taje Allen.'' (Both are cornerbacks.)
> ``Orlando Pace, there's absolutely no comparison between Orlando Pace right now and the end of last season. None whatsoever.''


DV & Ironhead: But Vermeil couldn't let the minicamp pass without taking a couple shots at hefty fullback Craig ``Ironhead'' Heyward.
When asked Sunday if Heyward met his minicamp expectations concerning weight and conditioning, Vermeil said sarcastically, ``He's exactly what I thought he would be.''
Then, Vermeil joked: ``We have a play we call 30-belly. He ran it real well today.
``I'm not kidding when I say this: I think he'll be ready to go (by training camp). I think he's looked around, and has seen that he's falling behind. All he has to do is make the effort. And he can do it.''
Foundation grants: Isaac Bruce will be on hand Tuesday at the Magic House when the new Rams Foundation makes its initial grants, totaling $140,000, to 32 non-profit agencies. The foundation plans to donate $1 million over the next four years, with an emphasis on youth agencies and programs.
Ram-blings: Backup linebacker Troy Dumas (dislocated shoulder) and fifth-round draft pick Raymond Priester (hamstring) sat out Sunday's practice. Priester is a running back/fullback from Clemson. Dumas might need surgery. . . . The Rams' second and final minicamp of the offseason is June 12-14. Training camp begins July 17 at Western Illinois University in Macomb. . . . Former Hazelwood Central High and University of Missouri player Lee Johnson attended this weekend's minicamp. Johnson is defensive line coach for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

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