Rams News

Rookies might need shade after blistering weather

07/21

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch

MACOMB, Ill. -- There's a long way to go between now and Aug. 19, when the Rams break camp. But for three days and six practices, at least, 31 rookies and selected veterans can say they beat the heat.
The Rams concluded the rookie portion of training camp Tuesday afternoon sweating but not staggering.
``It's just a part of being a football player,'' said offensive guard Glenn Rountree, a sixth-round draft pick from Clemson. ``There's no way to get around it. If it's a training camp, in comes the heat. So . . .''
So you survive. But the Rams have gotten more than they bargained for from the July sun. For the second day in a row, the temperature hit 104 degrees Tuesday during the team's afternoon workout.
``It's not so bad,'' insisted running back Robert Holcombe.
Vermeil shortened the morning and afternoon practices by about 10 minutes each Tuesday, canceling a nine-on-seven drill. Once again, there were frequent water breaks. But other than that, it was business as usual at Western Illinois University.
``The rookies are in better shape than I anticipated them being in,'' Vermeil said. ``The veterans, I expect them to be in great shape. But we're only on the field an hour and a half now. Wait till we get out here (with the full squad) and they're going 2 hours and it's intense.''
That day arrives Friday, when the Rams' full 80-man training camp roster will practice for the first time. Their are no practices today or Thursday, when the veterans report.
Hello again: The Rams have re-signed safety Billy Austin to the roster space created by the departure of Omarr Morgan. Austin, from the University of New Mexico, was signed as a rookie free agent right after the draft in April. But he was among a group of players released in early July when the Rams needed to create spots on their 80-man roster for signed draft picks.
Austin was a four-year starter in college and a team co-captain for New Mexico last season. Austin did not arrive in time to practice Tuesday.
Plans to sign cornerback Roger Jones fell through Tuesday, when the seven-year veteran failed his physical because of back problems.
Injury update: Defensive end Corey Sears, a free agent from Mississippi State, sat out Tuesday morning's practice but was back on the field in the afternoon. Sears needed two IVs to restore lost fluid after Monday's workouts. ``That's a record for us,'' Vermeil said. . . . Second-year linebacker Charlie Clemons was sidelined for the second successive day because of a strained groined suffered during Sunday afternoon's workout. Vermeil hopes to have Clemons back on the field Friday.

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