Rams News

St. Louis Rams
Team Report posted June 19, 1998
by tsn correspondent JIM THOMAS of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

As he prepares for his second training camp as head coach of the St. Louis Rams, Dick Vermeil has knocked most of the rust that accumulated over 14 years away from coaching.

"I have a better feel for it now that I did last year," Vermeil said. "I was a little too optimistic last year. Maybe too confident in my experienced coaching staff. But I'm more realistic now."

Vermeil concedes he was unsure of himself at times last season, especially when it came to his area of expertise -- planning an offense and calling plays.

But he has been more vocal in that area in the offseason, and has insisted on some changes in coordinator Jerry Rhome's scheme.

Look for the installation of the shotgun formation and more use of rollouts.

Vermeil also wants more two-back sets, more play-action, and would like to give tight end Ernie Conwell a larger role in the offense.

Vermeil has come to the conclusion that the same basic approach that made him a successful coach for UCLA and the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1970s and early '80s can work today.

"Your players have to be fundamentally sound and disciplined and tough," he said. . . .

One reason for Vermeil's optimism about the '98 season is the much-improved participation in the offseason conditioning program.

This offseason, 18 players were on track to finish with a 98 percent or better attendance rate in the program -- compared to three in 1997.

As many as 42 players should finish with an 80 percent attendance rate -- compared to 29 one year ago. The offseason program concludes June 24.

"We all know that gaining esprit de corps is difficult," Vermeil said. "The only way you can develop esprit de corps is to be together. We look for ways to put these guys together. The offseason program is hard. But they work and then they have fun. They go out together. They do things together. I don't think you can do too much of that." . . .

Newcomer Ed Simmons must have made a good first impression at left guard.

Two days after Simmons completed his first minicamp as a Ram, the team released last year's starting left guard, John Gerak.

"John Gerak was released based on his personal wishes," was the official explanation given by Vermeil. "He didn't feel that he would be a starter in the coming year and he wanted to be given the opportunity to go somewhere else, and either be a starter or retire."

Gerak, 28, was the only Rams lineman to start all 16 games last season at the same position. (Tackle Wayne Gandy made 16 starts, but nine were at right tackle and seven at left tackle.)

Although limited athletically, Gerak was among the toughest Rams blockers on an offensive front that generally lacks a mean streak.

He played the entire season with a painful elbow injury that required offseason surgery. Gerak signed a two-year, $1.1 million contract with the Rams after the 1996 season as an unrestricted free agent from Minnesota.

Plans were for Gerak to be a spot starter and third guard, but Gerak was pressed into service when veteran Gerald Perry walked out of a team meeting and was subsequently released, 11 days before the Rams' season opener.

The Rams take a $200,000 cap hit in releasing Gerak. The Rams are rolling the dice with Simmons and second-year man Ryan Tucker at left guard.

Simmons is 34 and has a history of knee problems. In addition, the career tackle hasn't started a game at guard since 1987!

Tucker has potential but is green. He missed most of last season after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery last offseason, and missed the Rams second minicamp with a hamstring injury.

Unless Simmons and/or Tucker gets the job done this season, the Rams will pay for their failure to sign a starting guard during free agency. . . .

After waiving Gerak, the Rams signed guard Jamie Sumner, an Ohio State product who was in the New York Giants camp last preseason. . . .

Starting right guard Zach Wiegert, a restricted free agent, has accepted the team's one-year tender offer of $397,000. . . .

Also re-signing with the Rams were exclusive rights free agents Jay Williams, a defensive end; David Thompson, a running back/kickoff returner; and Joe Rowe, a cornerback. . . .

Although the Rams made a tender offer to unrestricted free agent Ernest Dye, the veteran offensive lineman did not attend the team's June minicamp.

Vermeil said he probably will inform Dye, a backup guard and tackle, that the team no longer is interested in re-signing him. . . .

Backup wide receiver Malcolm Floyd returned to practice at the minicamp, showing no ill affects from the torn Achilles' tendon surgery he underwent last December. . . .

Former Kansas City and New York Jets kicker, 42-year-old Nick Lowery, had a tryout with the Rams at their June minicamp.

DEPTH CHART

OFFENSE

WR -- Eddie Kennison, Ricky Proehl, Az-Zahir Hakim, Russell Shaw, Tryone Goodson

LT -- Orlando Pace, Jeremy McKinney, Roger Chanoine

LG -- Ed Simmons, Ryan Tucker, Jamie Sumner, Fred Pollack

C -- Mike Gruttadauria, John Flannery, David Kempfert

RG -- Zach Wiegert, Ethan Brooks, Glenn Rountree, Tom Nutten

RT -- Wayne Gandy, Fred Miller, Matt Reem

TE -- Ernie Conwell, Aaron Laing, Mitch Jacoby, Tyji Armstrong, Roland Williams

WR -- Isaac Bruce, Johnny Thomas, Donald Sellers, Tony Horne, Donnell Baker, Malcolm Floyd

QB -- Tony Banks, Steve Bono, Will Furrer, Kurt Warner

FB -- Craig Heyward, Derrick Harris, Raymond Priester

RB -- Jerald Moore, Robert Holcombe, Amp Lee, David Thompson, June Henley.

DEFENSE

LE -- Kevin Carter, Bryan Robinson, Corey Sears

LT -- Jeff Zgonina, Ray Agnew, James Manley

RT -- D'Marco Farr, Joe Phillips, Chris Maumalanga

RE -- Jay Williams, Grant Wistrom, Jeff Robinson, Glenn Young Jr.

OLB -- Roman Phifer, Muadianvita Kazadi, Leonard Little

MLB -- Eric Hill, Lorenzo Styles, Daryl Bush, London Fletcher

OLB --Mike Jones, Charlie Clemons, Troy Dumas, Jason Chorak

LC -- Todd Lyght, Taje Allen, Joe Rowe

SS -- Toby Wright, Billy Jenkins Jr., Gerald McBurrows, Kadar Hamilton

FS -- Keith Lyle, Gerald McBurrows, Mike Scurlock, Billy Austin

RC -- Ryan McNeil, Dexter McCleon, Willie Clark, Omarr Morgan

SPECIALISTS

K -- Jeff Wilkins

P -- Rick Tuten, Mark Schultis

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