Rams News

ST. LOUIS RAMS

The St. Louis Rams are trying to come up with Plan B in the event cornerback Ryan McNeil sits out the 1998 season.

McNeil was a no-show for the Rams' minicamp last weekend. McNeil, 27, who led the NFL in interceptions last season with nine, is unhappy about being designated as the Rams' franchise player this winter, even though it means he'll receive a $2 million raise.

As the club's franchise player, McNeil will be paid $3.2 million next season -- the average of the five highest-paid players during 1997 at his position. He was paid only $1.2 million last season.

McNeil won't participate in any team activities until a long-term contract is worked out.

"I didn't expect him to be here," Rams coach Dick Vermeil said. "I'm disappointed that he has fallen into the situation that he has fallen into. Bad timing, but I think it will resolve itself."

McNeil's agent, Brian Ransom, is asking for $27 million over five years, including a $10 million signing bonus. The Rams have offered $13 million over four years with a bonus of more than $3 million.

The wide gap between the two proposals has Vermeil understandably worried.

"You always have that little concern because contract negotiations are always long and a problem," Vermeil said. "When agents determine someone is among the top three at a position and a player thinks he's one the top three and starts ranking himself in the league, it just takes longer to come to terms."

Three young cornerbacks -- Dexter McCleon, Taje Allen and Joe Rowe -- worked at McNeil's spot during the minicamp.

"It's not live game day or anything, but they are doing well," Vermeil said. "I think Dexter McCleon has made a defined move from where he was."

McCleon, a second-round draft choice last season, is considered a future starter. However, there is some question about whether he is ready to make that big step now. He lost his job as nickel back to Allen midway through last season.

The Rams are exploring the possibility of signing a free-agent cornerback. One of those is Willie Clark from the Seattle Seahawks.

Vermeil said the Rams haven't given up on McNeil.

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

Linebacker Robert Jones, the Rams' leading tackler last season, also didn't attend the minicamp. He will be cut come June 1.

"There has been no interest in trading for him because they know they don't have to (trade for him)," Vermeil said. "As of June 1, he'll be on the market, and he'll end up with a good job. You know he'll be physically prepared to play."

The Rams looked notably leaner as they took the field for their first organized practice of 1998.

"There is no comparison between a year ago and today," Vermeil said. "I think the overall attitude of the football team is much, much better. The knowledge of what we want to do is better. Our overall self-discipline is better. Definitely, the condition of our football team is much better."

Vermeil said 40 players, including 15 or 16 potential starters, have participated in 80 percent or more of the workouts in the Rams' off-season conditioning program. He said 26 players have missed one workout or less.

"It's no guarantee that it is going to help you win, but there is a guarantee that it won't hurt you," Vermeil said.

--There were 83 players who participated in the minicamp. That group includes several new signees, including veteran defensive tackle Joe Phillips.

Phillips, who will turn 35 before the Rams' training camp in July, has played 12 seasons in the NFL. He spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs, starting 15 games.

The 6-5, 310-pound Phillips has only 23 sacks during his career, but he's a powerful defender who is especially strong against the run. Phillips chose the Rams over retirement.

"A guy at my stage looks around and says, `Do I want to play anymore?' " Phillips said. "For me, it boiled down to the fact that I still have fun playing the game."

Phillips is being reunited with Rams defensive line coach Carl (Big Daddy) Hairston, who used to coach for the Chiefs.

Phillips said he hopes to become a leader for the Rams' young defensive line.

"You have to win their respect first," Phillips said. "I hope I can give them some advice. Big Daddy knows all the tricks, though. He taught me most of mine. I just kind of defer to him."

--Tight end Roland Williams, the Rams' fourth-round draft choice, missed the first practice of the minicamp. Williams, who is working toward his master's degree in public relations, had a classroom presentation to make at Syracuse.

"I flew out straight from class," Williams said. "I actually wore my suit here. I wasn't trying to impress anybody."

Williams said he was up until 3 a.m. preparing his presentation -- a three-inch thick book outlining a public relations campaign for a new library system in Syracuse. He also planned to stay up late the next couple of weeks.

"I'll be studying the playbook," Williams said. "It is my job now. I have to focus on getting it down."

The Rams' second minicamp is scheduled for June 12-14.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have a play we call `30 Belly,' and he ran that real well today." -- Rams coach Dick Vermeil, on overweight running back Craig Heyward.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: CB Ryan McNeil ($3.22M tender).

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: OG Ernest Dye (won't be re-signed); WR Malcolm Floyd (won't be re-signed); LB Britt Hager (a special teamer and backup who will not be re-signed); P Mike Horan (won't be re-signed); C Vernice Smith (will not be re-signed); LB Brett Wallerstedt (won't be back).

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR Johnny Thomas ($397,000 tender; has big attitude for guy who caught two passes and was inactive 11 games); OG Zach Wiegert ($397,000 tender; initial indication is that his agent wants John Hannah money for mediocre play).

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: S Billy Jenkins, Jr.; WR Donald Sellers; RB David Thompson; DE Jay Williams (was lackluster as Leslie O'Neal's backup).

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: OT Ethan Brooks (EFA; terms unknown); LB Troy Dumas (RFA; $397,000/1 yr)); QB Will Furrer (UFA; $825,000/2 yrs, SB unknown); RB Derrick Harris (EFA; terms unknown); TE Aaron Laing (RFA; $397,000/1 yr); RB Amp Lee (UFA; $4M/3 yrs, $1.25M SB); DT Chris Maumalanga (EFA; terms unknown); S Gerald McBurrows (RFA; 397,000/1 yr); S Mike Scurlock (RFA; $397,000/1 yr); LB Lorenzo Styles (RFA; $397,000/1 yr).

PLAYERS ACQUIRED: DT Ray Agnew (UFA Giants; $8M/4 yrs, $2M SB); TE Tyji Armstrong (FA); QB Steve Bono (Trade Packers for 7th-round pick in 1999 draft); RB Kevin Bouie (FA); OL John Flannery (UFA Cowboys; $1.175M/2 yrs, $175,000 SB); LB Eric Hill (UFA Cardinals; $5.25M/2 yrs, $1M SB/$3.125M guaranteed); DT James Manley (FA); DT Joe Phillips (FA, had been cut by Chiefs; $1.6M/2 yrs, $500,000 SB); WR Ricky Proehl (UFA Bears; $6M/4 yrs, $1.6M SB); P Rick Tuten (UFA Seahawks; $1.9M/3 yrs, $300,000 SB).

PLAYERS LOST: WR Keith Crawford (UFA Falcons; $1.2M/2 yrs, $200,000 SB); DT Bill Johnson (UFA Eagles; $3.9M/2 yrs, no SB/$2.3M guaranteed); DE Leslie O'Neal (cut); QB Mark Rypien (UFA Falcons; $1.8M/2 yrs, $400,000 SB); WR Torrance Small (UFA Colts; terms unknown).

MEDICAL WATCH: S Toby Wright is jogging as he continues his rehab from reconstructive knee surgery. Wright isn't expected to be cleared to practice until August. ... LB Troy Dumas sat out the final day of the Rams' minicamp with a separated shoulder. The injury will probably require surgery. ... Rookie RB Raymond Priester has a slight hamstring pull. He should be healthy in time for the Rams' second minicamp.

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