Rams News

Apparently on way out as a Bear, Cox looks to `something different'

05/30/98

By Elizabethe Holland
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

More than likely, Bryan Cox's bumpy tenure as a Chicago Bear will end sometime Monday and his name will be scribbled onto someone else's roster by the end of the week.
This, according to his agent, is just dandy with Cox.
``He's fine,'' said Cliff Brady, Cox's agent.``He's looking forward to getting it going and getting things rolling, and I think he's kind of looking forward to a new start, a new something different, somewhere he can go and not be expected to be Jesus Christ, and just be a linebacker.''
The three-time Pro Bowl linebacker from East St. Louis has spent two seasons with the Bears and has two years remaining on a $13.2 million contract. However, his welcome has worn thin in the Windy City. Cox has become known for his temper tantrums on the field and has not been shy with his criticism of the Bears.
By waiting until Monday to cut him, the Bears can spread out the remaining $2.5 million of a $5 million signing bonus over the next two years.
Although it remains to be seen whether the Bears will release him, Cox has discussed the matter with team officials. Last week the Bears signed former Bengals linebacker Andre Collins to a two-year contract, perhaps signaling Cox's departure. Former Bengals linebacker Ricardo McDonald also signed with Chicago in the offseason.
The Bears could hang on to Cox and put him through training camp if they like, but Brady said that's unlikely.
``I hope the Bears don't do anything like that with us,'' Cox's agent said Friday. ``I don't think they will. I think this will be a nice, smooth release, if there is such a thing. . . . But I'm still waiting to get a call from (coach) Dave Wannstedt to make sure they're going to release him Monday.''
Brady said he expects a ``handful'' of teams to show interest in Cox. The Super Bowl champion Broncos are thought to be in that handful -- but Cox's hometown team isn't.
``The guys I know about or I think I know about (who will be released Monday), I don't anticipate us making a move on any of those, Bryan Cox being an example,'' said Charley Armey, Rams' vice president of player personnel.
``I went through all of the rosters . . . and I just don't see the player that we would want coming free.''

Just visiting
The Rams are showing some interest in former Washington Redskin Ed Simmons, who visited Rams Park Tuesday and Wednesday. Simmons, a 6-foot-5, 334-pound offensive tackle, was released by Washington in February, but the Redskins still may be interested.
The Rams are eyeing Simmons as a potential guard, despite the fact that of his 106 career starts, only one has been at that position. Should St. Louis sign him, he would be reunited with Jim Hanifan, his offensive line coach from 1990-96.
Simmons, 34, has had an impressive 11-year career, but has been dogged by knee problems in recent years. In his 11 seasons, he has played a complete, 16-game schedule only five times. He started 13 games last season.

Rookie school
The Rams' draft picks and rookie free agents will show up at Rams Park on Monday to begin learning the team's offense and defense. Other topics to be discussed will be how to avoid trouble off the field.
Rookie school extends Monday through Friday, then June 8-10.

Hoops & Huddles
The Demetrious Johnson Charitable Foundation's Hurricane Spring Hoops & Huddles schedule has been announced, with several events taking place June 10-13. Johnson's foundation donates Thanksgiving baskets to families, holds Christmas parties for children and operates a ``Read And Achieve'' program, among other things.
The events will begin with a high school all-star basketball game at 7:30 p.m. June 10 at Maryville University.
On June 11, the Celebrity & Sponsor Kickoff reception will be held at 6 p.m. at the Marriott Pavilion Downtown, and a party featuring recording artist Jessie Powell will follow at 8 p.m. at the Ambassador Concert Club.
A celebrity golf tournament will begin at 9 a.m. June 12 at the Spencer T. Olin Golf Course in Alton. Among those scheduled to attend are Marshall Faulk, Darnay Scott, Reggie Brown, Kellen Winslow, Harold Carmichael, Eric Dickerson and Grant Fuhr. At 7 p.m., a celebrity dinner-auction will be held. Reggie Brown, the former Detroit Lions linebacker who has recovered from a life-threatening neck injury, will be the keynote speaker for a dinner at 8.
On June 13, there will be a free football camp for those ages 10-18 from 10 a.m. to noon at Gateway High. At 3 p.m., there will be a celebrity softball game at Missouri-St. Louis. At 8 p.m., the NFL Endzone Jam Concert featuring comedian Tommie Davidson will take place at the Fox Theatre.

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