Rams News

Rams' goal is improving
output on offensive line
04/27 08:10 PM

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

The draft has come and gone. The bulk of free agency is over, save for the bargain basement period after June 1. But for the Rams offensive line, there have been no major acquisitions.
If the team is to block better next season, it will be with essentially the same cast of characters as in 1997. Simply put, the Rams will have to do better with what they have. Much better.
``Our No. 1 goal between now and our league opener is to improve our offensive line,'' coach Dick Vermeil said after the draft. ``The offensive line is holding us hostage right now. If they don't get better, we don't get better.''
Vermeil thinks there's enough talent, and he appreciates the effort most of the group has put in during the offseason conditioning program. But if he had to start the season tomorrow with this offensive line?
``I'd feel nervous,'' Vermeil said.
There are only two changes of note:
> Ryan Tucker will enter training camp as the starting left guard ahead of John Gerak, who is slated to be a swingman at both guard positions and a spot starter.
> Free-agent pickup John Flannery (from Dallas) will push Mike Gruttadauria at center, and provide depth at guard.
But the members of the ``O-line'' feel confident that a little continuity can only help.
``With the same offensive line, it's a recipe for success,'' Gruttadauria said. ``You've got to look at teams like Denver. They've had basically the same four or five guys for years now.
``Just knowing what the guy next to you is going to do helps. You don't have to worry about making calls, or totally spelling it out. You just know -- with a look or maybe a hand gesture.''
The experience gained from last year can't hurt. Entering the season, the Rams primary offensive line starters had a meager 13 career starts among them at the positions they played in '97.
At left tackle, Orlando Pace was a rookie. At left guard, Gerak had about 20 snaps at left guard in four seasons in Minnesota. (Sixteen of his 19 NFL starts were at right guard with the Vikings; the other three were as an extra tight end.)
At center, second-year man Gruttadauria had three starts. At right guard, third-year man Zach Wiegert had one start. (Sixteen of Wiegert's 17 other NFL starts were at right tackle; the other was at left guard.) At right tackle, four-year veteran Wayne Gandy had nine starts. (He was the Rams starting left tackle in '95 and '96.)
It took a while for those five to settle in at those five spots. Pace didn't start until Game 5 because of a lengthy preseason holdout, then missed three games in November with a knee injury. Gerak became a starter 11 days before the regular-season opener, when Gerald Perry was cut after walking out of a team meeting. Gruttadauria missed two games in September with an ankle injury. Gandy flopped back and forth between right and left tackle, depending on Pace's situation.
The early returns have been encouraging. Pace, a svelte 315 pounds, has been a workout warrior. ``There's absolutely no reason that Orlando Pace can't make a tremendous move this coming year,'' Vermeil said. ``He's lost 25 pounds, and he's moving like a cat.''
Tucker continues to work the rust out and get his confidence back. He was on the physically unable to perform list for six games and didn't play until Game 10 because of major knee surgery.
``He doesn't lack for toughness, and I expect him to really start ascending,'' Vermeil said.
At the coaches' request, Gruttadauria is up to 295 -- adding five pounds -- and has lowered his body fat from 22 percent to 19 percent.
Wiegert is trying to round into form after offseason shoulder surgery. He tweaked the shoulder in minicamp, missing part of a practice. ``He's got to make a move,'' Vermeil said. ``I can't worry about if he's going to be healthy any more.''
Gandy, who prefers to spend his offseasons in Atlanta, was in good but not great shape at the minicamp according to Vermeil. That leaves Gerak, who has returned to full strength after offseason elbow surgery, and up-and-coming tackle Fred Miller waiting in the wings, along with Flannery and a host of young prospects.
One & out: Four players, including three rookie free agents, were cut after participating in the minicamp: fullback Kevin Bouie, defensive end Brett Gastineau, wide receiver Sanjay Lal and safety Frank Spraggins (East St. Louis Senior High). Bouie is a second-year player.

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