Rams News

St. Louis Rams
Team Report posted May 29, 1998
by tsn correspondent
JIM THOMAS St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Rams' search for help on the interior offensive line took a familiar turn, at least for offensive line coach Jim Hanifan.

Former Redskin tackle Ed Simmons, who played for Hanifan in Washington from 1990-96, was a recent visitor to Rams Park.

When healthy, Simmons was one of the Redskins' best blockers. But Simmons has been slowed throughout his 11-year NFL career by knee problems, and has made it through a full 16-game schedule only five times.

He was released by the Redskins in February at age 34. Even though 105 of Simmons' 106 career starts have come at tackle, the Rams would try Simmons at guard if they signed him.

And the price would have to be right for St. Louis. Simmons was scheduled to visit Rams Park before the draft, but never made the trip because of other obligations.

Outside of a couple calls from Oakland, he hasn't drawn much other interest in the open market. There's a chance he could retire if the money or the opportunity isn't right. . . .

The Rams have scheduled three days of joint practices with Indianapolis at the University of Illinois. Dick Vermeil is a big proponent of training camp practices against other teams, but the Rams have had trouble getting teams to visit Western Illinois, because of its remote location.

The Champaign setup with Indianapolis is a good compromise. The site is roughly halfway between Rams camp at Western Illinois University in Macomb and Colts camp at Anderson (Ind.) University.

The teams had a one-day session in Champaign last training camp and liked it so much they decided to expand the get-together.

The teams will practice twice on Thursday July 29, twice on Friday July 30, and once on Saturday August 1.

The August 1 session could take the form of a controlled scrimmage. Perhaps Indianapolis' No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Peyton Manning, will be in camp by then. . . .

The Rams open their '98 training camp with rookies reporting to Macomb on July 18. Veterans report July 23, with the first full-squad practice July 24. . . .

Despite spending a lot of time in negotiations for free agent Clyde Simmons, the Rams weren't gnashing their teeth when the veteran defensive end signed with Cincinnati instead.

Simmons became much less of a priority after the club drafted defensive end Grant Wistrom with the No. 6 overall pick, and signed veteran defensive tackle Joe Phillips shortly before the draft. . . .

Wide receiver Johnny "J.T." Thomas, a restricted free agent, has accepted the team's one-year tender offer. Thomas, from Arizona State, caught two passes in five games last season and has 14 catches in three seasons with the Rams. . . .

Vice president of player personnel Charley Armey returned from a trip to Europe impressed with what he saw in Rams quarterback prospect Kurt Warner.

Warner plays for the Amsterdam Admirals in the NFL Europe league. Warner will attend the Rams' second and final minicamp June 12-14 unless Amsterdam is playing in the NFL Europe championship game.

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