Rams News

Mastermind of Rams `D' checks in at minicamp

06/13/98

By Elizabethe Holland
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

With the Bud Carson defense in place and a Carson disciple running the Rams defense, who should appear at this weekend's minicamp but Carson himself.
One of the greatest defensive minds in football history, Carson retired from his position as Rams defensive coordinator in March but is working as a consultant of sorts for the team.
It's an odd position for him to be in, though. Dressed in polo shirts and plaid shorts more fitting for golf than football practice, the man with 23 years of NFL coaching experience has been a quiet presence at minicamp, speaking only, for the most part, when asked.
``I've had a hard time keeping my mouth shut out there . . . but I'm smart enough to know when it's over,'' Carson said. ``For me, coaching is in the past. . . . I'm here, I guess, really to just affirm what the guys are doing. This team looks so much better now than it did a year ago when we started out.''
When Carson watches the defense, he sees what he crafted and what one of his students of the game is continuing and trying to improve.
The new defensive co-coordinators are Peter Giunta, who worked under Carson in Philadelphia from 1991-94, and John Bunting. Giunta is also an assistant head coach, giving him the final say over Bunting if necessary.
So, just when Carson feels the urge to nose in with a comment, he is reminded, with no nudging, who's in charge now.
``Peter, I raised him,'' said Carson, who probably will make an appearance at training camp as well. ``He's up there talking and I think I'm talking. . . . I'm just watching. If they ask me what I think, I tell them. If they don't, I don't tell them. Peter's very smart and so is coach John Bunting. I'm really satisfied that they'll do a heck of a lot better job than I did.''
Guest speaker: Coach Dick Vermeil has tapped a former player of his to inspire the troops at minicamp. Claude Humphrey, a defensive end with the Eagles from 1979-81 and the Falcons from 1968-74 and 1976-78, addressed the Rams on Thursday after their arrival at Rams Park, and offered players advice on the field Friday and Saturday.
Among his reflections to the players were thoughts on ``the times in Atlanta when we were not so good, and the years in Philadelphia when everything was just beautiful. It was my way of giving the guys an idea of what to expect. . . . I just wanted to give them the benefit of all those years.''
After his years with Atlanta, including one 18-sack season, Humphrey retired. But Vermeil talked him out of retirement and an Eagle was born. Humphrey now lives in Memphis.
Give me some water: Three Rams -- tight end Aaron Laing, cornerback Joe Rowe and tackle Wayne Gandy -- have had to be rehydrated with IV's at minicamp. Vermeil said the culprit most likely is the players' push to lose weight.
``Some of these guys try to lose weight and they get on a diuretic or something like that and then they dehydrate quickly out here,'' he said.
Just visiting? Uhury Hamiter, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive end out of Delaware State, tried out Saturday with the Rams. Hamiter, most recently with the London Monarchs of NFL Europe, has tried out with Philadelphia and has plans to visit Oakland, Washington and Jacksonville.
Ram-blings: Cornerback Todd Lyght missed minicamp Saturday to attend a wedding. . . . Defensive end Corey Sears, who was added to the roster before the first minicamp, was incorrectly referred to as a rookie free agent in the Post-Dispatch in April. Last season the former Mississippi State player was on the Baltimore Ravens injured-reserve list.

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