Rams News

St. Louis Rams
Team Report posted May 1, 1998
by tsn correspondent
JIM THOMAS St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Middle linebacker Robert Jones will be released, but not until after June 1 to take advantage of salary cap rules. Jones has moved to Orlando, Fla., and his Rams jersey number (55) has already been assigned to outside linebacker Troy Dumas. Jones became expendable when the Rams signed Arizona Cardinals free agent Eric Hill to a two-year contract in late February.

"There's been no interest in trading for him because they know they don't have to," coach Dick Vermeil said. "As of June 1, he'll be on the market, and he'll end up with a good job."

Jones is the last free agent from the ill-fated Rich Brooks-Steve Ortmayer era. He led the team in tackles in 1997 with 115, but had only one sack, no forced fumbles and only one tackle for loss. The tackles-for-loss total is astounding considering Jones plays near the line of scrimmage and his primary duty was as a run stopper. . . .

The Rams could have an intriguing battle for the second and third quarterback jobs behind Tony Banks in training camp if Kurt Warner continues his stellar play in NFL Europe. Playing for Amsterdam, Warner tied a league record with five touchdown passes in a game and set a franchise single-game record with 387 passing yards.

Warner, 26, played for Northern Iowa University, then spent three years with the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League. He was in Green Bay's camp in 1994, but couldn't crack a depth chart that included Brett Favre, Mark Brunell and Ty Detmer. Some observers feel Warner is a better prospect than either Jamie Martin, a former Ram now with Jacksonville, and current Rams backup Will Furrer. Martin and Furrer once were teammates on Amsterdam. . . .

Unsure when Ryan McNeil will report, the Rams have signed cornerback Willie Clark, an unrestricted free agent from Philadelphia. Clark, 26, has been a spot starter during four NFL seasons with San Diego and the Eagles, but has primarily helped on special teams and as a nickel and dime back. He has very good speed, but only average size at 5-10, 186. His one-year deal is worth $700,000, including a $100,000 signing bonus. . . .

Upset over the team's franchise designation, McNeil continues to be a no-show for offseason activities at Rams Park. McNeil has bypassed the team's offseason conditioning program and skipped the team's post-draft minicamp.

McNeil wants a long-term contract, but he and Ransom have rejected a four-year, $13 million offer from the Rams that would make McNeil the team's highest-paid player in terms of average salary. If both parties can't agree on a long-term contract, McNeil has two options: Accept the team's one-year franchise tender of $3.2 million. Or continue staying home in south Florida.

For his part, Vermeil is staying patient. So far.

"I'm not going to panic on it," Vermeil said, "because I really believe we'll end up having Ryan McNeil here, and he'll play just as well or better than he did a year ago." . . .

Dumas' chances of making the team as a backup outside linebacker and special teamer were set back when he suffered a dislocated shoulder in the team's minicamp. Dumas may need surgery, and will miss the Rams' June minicamp. . . .

Fulback Kevin Bouie, defensive end Brett Gastineau, wide receiver Sanjay Lal, and safety Frank Spraggins were cut after the minicamp. Bouie was a second-year player; Gastineau, Lal and Spraggins were rookie free agents. . . .

Among the rookie free agents to catch Vermeil's eye during minicamp were offensive guard Fred Pollack of Nebraska and wide receiver Tony Horne of Clemson.

ARCHIVE

HOME