Rams News

INSIDE SLANT

The St. Louis Rams believe the drafting of Robert Holcombe ends their search for a workhorse running back.

Rams coach Dick Vermeil wanted Holcombe so much that he turned down a trade proposal by the Pittsburgh Steelers to switch second-round picks. The Steelers offered a third-, fourth- and seventh-round pick to the Rams to drop 19 spots in the second round.

"We hold him in high esteem," Vermeil said of Holcombe. "All the personnel people would naturally like to have the draft choices, but in losing Lawrence Phillips like we did, we need another running back to go along with the backs we have here."

In Holcombe, the Rams hope they've found a replacement for Phillips, the troubled running back who was released last season, and Jerome Bettis, who was traded away to Pittsburgh in 1996.

Holcombe will compete with Jerald Moore for the job of starting running back this season. Both running backs are Houston natives.

The 5-11 1/2, 216-pound Holcombe shattered Illinois' career rushing record with 5,105 yards. The old record was 2,887 yards by Thomas Rooks (1982-85).

Holcombe rushed for 1,253 yards on 294 carries -- an average of 4.3 yards per carry -- last season. He also was the leading receiver for the Illini with 35 catches for 277 yards.

Holcombe's accomplishments are magnified by the fact that he played for an 0-11 team.

"I think if there is any back drafted so far that has the opportunity to prove that he is even better than he really showed in college because of the supporting cast, I think it's this young man," Vermeil said. "It won't surprise me to see him to be better than we anticipated him being."

Holcombe looks at Illinois' woeful season philosophically.

"I think everything happens for a reason, and in my case, I ended up playing for a team that didn't win many ballgames," Holcombe said. "I just love to play football and my goal was to go out and be as productive as I could no matter happens."

Holcombe runs the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds, but it's his ability to find running room in traffic that impressed the Rams.

"He can make the first guy miss and you have to be able to do that in the National Football League, especially as our offensive line is right now," Vermeil said.

The Rams need Holcombe because they plan to use more two-back formations on offense next season. The diminutive Amp Lee wouldn't have worked as that second back.

"As soon as you go two-back with Amp Lee, you're kidding yourself if you think you are going to be a real strong running team because he is not blocker," Vermeil said. "He is a receiver."

The Rams liked what they saw from Holcombe at their minicamp, but Vermeil said the hard-running back won't really shine until he gets into contact drills.

"Robert Holcombe is the kind of back who will never really startle you until it's live," Vermeil said.

David Thompson, who drew raves from Vermeil during the minicamp, also is a candidate for playing time at running back.

Backup linebacker Troy Dumas has had surgery on his dislocated shoulder. Dumas, who suffered the injury during the minicamp, could be ready to play by mid-August.

--Former Rams backup quarterback Mark Rypien has been named as a finalist for the Halas Award by the Professional Football Writers of America. The Halas Award goes to a player who has overcome injury or adversity.

Rypien's 2-year-old son, Andrew, is battling brain cancer.

Other finalists are: Chicago quarterback Erik Kramer, who came back from a potential career-ending neck injury; Denver offensive guard Mark Schlereth, who has overcome 20 surgeries; and Cincinnati offensive guard Scott Brumfield, who returned from a sprained neck and spine that caused him to be partially paralyzed.

--Holcombe thought Illinois teammate Steve Willis was daffy when he predicted that Holcombe would be taken by the Rams on draft day.

"I have to give him a call, say hello to him and tell him that he was right," Holcombe said.

Holcombe, 22, said the Rams gave him no indication that they would draft him. He visited Kansas City and Jacksonville, but not St. Louis.

Holcombe remembered talking briefly with Rams running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery at the NFL scouting combine in early February.

Holcombe said he has been to St. Louis several times with some of his Illinois teammates, including Willis, a graduate of Mehlville High School.

"It is a beautiful city and I've always enjoyed myself there," Holcombe said.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I describe myself as more of a darter, more of a north-south runner. I try to run tough between the tackles and do other things as well, such as catching the football." -- Rams rookie running back Robert Holcombe.

The Rams filled out their wide receiver corps by re-signing Malcolm Floyd and Donald Sellers. Floyd caught four passes in four games last season before suffering a torn right Achilles tendon on Dec. 14. His recovery was supposed to take eight or nine months, but he is way ahead of schedule. Sellers was a member of the practice squad for most of last season and was added to the roster on Dec. 10.

It appears unlikely that the Rams will sign offensive tackle/guard Ernest Dye. The unrestricted free agent played in seven games on offense last season. He is asking for more than the veteran's minimum.

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

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: OG Ernest Dye (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: 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.; 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); WR Malcolm Floyd (UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown); 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); WR Donald Sellers (EFA; 1 yr, terms unknown); LB Lorenzo Styles (RFA; $397,000/1 yr); WR J.T. Thomas (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); CB Willie Clark (UFA Eagles; $700,000/1 yr, $100,000 SB); 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 has undergone surgery to repair his separated shoulder. ... Rookie RB Raymond Priester has a slight hamstring pull. He should be healthy for the Rams' second minicamp.

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