Rams News

St. Louis Rams
Team Report posted June 26, 1998
by tsn correspondent JIM THOMAS of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Coach Dick Vermeil says defensive end Jay Williams and running back David Thompson both will be given opportunities to earn starting jobs this coming season.

But that would be surprising news to the team's top two draft picks -- defensive end Grant Wistrom of the University of Nebraska and running back Robert Holcombe of Illinois.

Williams made two starts last season in place of the injured Leslie O'Neal (now with Kansas City), but has only 13 tackles and one career sack in 25 NFL games over three seasons.

Vermeil, known to gush about his players, says: "It's his job to lose."

More likely, Williams will be spotted in running situations while Wistrom, the No. 6 overall pick in the draft, gets acclimated to the NFL.

Thompson, a prolific rusher at Oklahoma State, was picked up by the Rams last season after his training camp release by Jacksonville. After spending five games on the practice squad, Thompson set a Rams rookie record for kickoff return yards (1,110).

But the quick and elusive Thompson was impressive out of the backfield in both Rams minicamps this offseason; impressive enough that Vermeil says he plans to start Thompson in a preseason game.

"If you wanted to single out one guy that appeared to be a much better football player than he was last year, you'd have to start with him," Vermeil said.

Strong safety Toby Wright is about a month ahead of schedule as he continues rehabilitation from "surprise" reconstructive knee surgery.

Surprise, because Wright thought he was going in for relatively routine arthroscopic surgery, only to discover once his anesthetic wore off that he had a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Although initially shellshocked to learn of the severity of the injury, Wright quickly threw himself into the rehab process like he throws himself into opposing ballcarriers -- with all his might.

"You can't ask an athlete to do any more than Toby Wright's done," Vermeil said.

Wright hasn't missed a day of the rehab process, and even took part in some limited drills in the Rams' June minicamp, just five months after surgery.

Although scheduled to begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list, Wright still hopes to play in a couple of preseason games and be ready for the regular-season opener September 6 against New Orleans. . . .

In the midst of a three-week vacation, Vermeil and the rest of the Rams' coaching staff won't report back to work until July 12. Vermeil is spending his down time at his offseason home in Pennsylvania and at a Poconos mountain resort for a family get-together. . . .

Former Eagles defensive lineman Dennis Harrison, who played for Vermeil in Philadelphia, will work Rams training camp as part of the NFL's minority coaching program. . . .

Although he granted offensive guard John Gerak's request to be released, Vermeil says the door is open for Gerak to return if he doesn't find a job to his liking elsewhere in the NFL. . . .

Wide receiver Malcolm Floyd, who underwent Achilles' tendon surgery in December, and safety Gerald McBurrows, who missed the final eight games of the 1997 season with a knee injury, were up and running at full speed at the June minicamp.

Floyd will contend for a fourth or fifth receiver spot on the team. McBurrows has been a valuable spot starter and special teams performer over the past three years.

ARCHIVE

HOME