Rams News

Clark gives Rams insurance at corner

05/09/98

By Elizabethe Holland
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

The recent Rams' signing of cornerback Willie Clark wasn't intended to perturb or shake still-unsigned defensive back Ryan McNeil.
Rather, the Rams hooked Clark because the team wanted a corner with speed and experience.
And just in case McNeil, who's been designated the team's Franchise Player, holds out into training camp, it certainly won't hurt to have another defensive back on the roster, said Charley Armey, Rams vice president of player personnel.
``We have so many young corners, we wanted a guy who's been lined up and been there in case something happens -- maybe the Ryan McNeil deal doesn't get done . . . maybe one of these young corners plays and gets injured,'' explained Armey. ``If you get into the season and you try to find a veteran corner, there just aren't any left. . . .
``We're really, really encouraged by our young corners, but you never know. You have to fill out the spectrum, because if you don't go to training camp prepared, and one of those guys gets hurt, it's hard to fill it out then.''
Clark almost wasn't available when the Rams snagged the 26-year-old and signed him to a one-year deal for $700,000 that includes a $100,000 signing bonus. Also in the running at the time were Baltimore, Washington and Oakland.
Clark, a 5-foot-10, 186-pounder, played primarily a nickel corner for Philadelphia last season. Clark, a teammate of running back Ricky Watters and cornerback Bobby Taylor at Notre Dame, was a third-round draft pick of the San Diego Chargers in 1994. He was waived by San Diego last year and wound up an Eagle via a quick stopover with the Baltimore Ravens.
Armey is especially pleased with Clark's speed -- he has been timed at 4.4 in the 40.
``We're excited about having him because he's got a lot of talent, he's very fast, he's got really good cover skills, and he looks like a player who can help us,'' Armey said. ``He can probably line up and be a slot cover guy right away.''
On the down side, Clark's size is considered merely adequate and he needs to improve as a special teams player.
Meanwhile, there is nothing new on McNeil's situation. In early March, he was offered a four-year, $13 million contract, including a $3.6 million signing bonus, but he is hoping for more money.

Showtime
The best thing about a highlight film is the lack of lowlights . . . which is good news for the Rams.
Rams' employees, including coach Dick Vermeil and President John Shaw, gathered at Rams Park last week to view an NFL Films production detailing the team's 1997 season. The film follows the Rams through their 5-11 season and pays special attention to Vermeil's return to coaching after a 14-year absence.
Vermeil wore a microphone in training camp, and several of his comments are included in the forward-looking film, including:
> ``Who was that? Who was that? It was a blur!''
> Talking to middle linebacker Robert Jones: ``How is the best-conditioned linebacker in football?'' (Vermeil recently said Jones will be on the market come June 1.)

Reconstruction era
When the NFL awarded an expansion franchise to Cleveland in March, the league grew to 31 teams -- an awkward number expected to create a scheduling mess when the team begins play in 1999. To even out the number, the NFL is hoping to add another franchise for the 2001 season.
According to Los Angeles-area newspapers, among cities listed as possible competitors for a team are Los Angeles, Houston, Toronto and Mexico City.
Proponents of bringing football back to Los Angeles have suggested that Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum be reconstructed, but other options are being tossed about as well. Among them: Hollywood Park, Dodger Stadium, a former dump site in the city of Carson, and Anaheim, where the Rams played before they moved to St. Louis.

Media-friendly
Vermeil has been named a finalist for the Horrigan Award, given by the Pro Football Writers Association to a team official, coach or player who goes beyond the call of duty in cooperating with the media. The other finalists are Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy, Tennessee Oilers coach Jeff Fisher and Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis.

Local line
Former Vashon High standout Butler By'not'e has signed a free-agent contract with Oakland. The cornerback, who played at Ohio State, was a seventh-round draft pick of Denver in 1994.

Ram-blings
The Rams have cut offensive guard Wendall Gaines, who most recently was assigned to the NFL World League's Scotland Claymores. . . . Charlie ``Tuna'' Edwards has been promoted to club-seat sales for the Rams. Edwards previously worked in the team's community relations department.
Football writers from other cities contributed some information to this report.

ARCHIVE

HOME