Rams News

Recent Rams acquisition Simmons decides to retire

07/22/98

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

Two years ago, Gerald Perry left Rams training camp to retire from football.
Last year, the briefly ``un-retired'' Perry did it again in a soap opera that included a failed steroids test, a Rams Park walkout and Perry's ultimate release.
The latest installment came Wednesday, the day before veterans report to Western Illinois University. Veteran offensive lineman Ed Simmons, the last of the famed Washington Redskins blockers known as ``The Hogs,'' has decided to retire.
``I'm disappointed because we were looking for a guard with experience that could make a contribution not only as a player, but as a leader,'' coach Dick Vermeil said. ``Ed had been there and done it.''
Simmons, 34, had spent his entire 11-year career with the Redskins, starting 106 games and winning two Super Bowl titles. He was released by Washington in February, then signed a one-year, $550,000 contract with the Rams in early June.
In St. Louis, Simmons was looking forward to working for line coach Jim Hanifan once again. Hanifan was his position coach for seven seasons with the Redskins. But his right knee problems flared up again.
``The warrior in me wants to play, but my knee won't let me,'' Simmons told Hanifan Wednesday during an hourlong phone conversation. ``Ed told me, `My knee is swelling up, and there's a hell of a lot of pain,' '' Hanifan said. ``He packed and unpacked his car three times Tuesday to drive to camp.''
With the exception of the steroids, the parallels to the Perry situation are eerie. Perry also was in his 30s, and battling chronic knee problems. And like Perry, Simmons was an offensive tackle by trade who would be playing an unfamiliar position at left guard. Simmons, in fact, had started only one game at left guard in the NFL -- way back in 1987, his rookie season.
But Hanifan thought he could play the position and was hoping to squeeze a year or two out of Simmons. Beyond playing ability, Hanifan felt the team's young offensive linemen could learn a lot about toughness and what it takes to succeed in the NFL just by being around Simmons every day.
Oh, well. On to Plan B.
The starting left guard now becomes Ryan Tucker, the promising but raw second-year player from Texas Christian University. Tucker, who finished his college career as a center, missed most of his rookie season while he rehabilitated from reconstructive knee surgery. He played in the Rams' final seven games of the 1997 season but participated in only 88 offensive plays.
``I think Ryan's going to be very good in the running game,'' Hanifan said. ``A key factor's going to be pass protection.''
Tucker's pass-blocking skills need work.
For his part, Tucker is taking nothing for granted even though he's now No. 1 on the depth chart.
``I still have to improve every day,'' Tucker said. ``I still have to prove myself to Coach Vermeil and my (line) coaches, so they'll have the confidence to write me in as a starter.''
Tucker missed more than a month of offseason conditioning work because of a hamstring injury in the spring. ``Right now my legs are dragging a little bit,'' he said. ``I'm not at the top of my game by any means.''
Other possibilities at left guard include Ethan Brooks, a former Atlanta Falcon who joined the Rams last season, and Tom Nutten, fresh off a stint in the NFL Europe league. John Flannery, a free-agent pickup from Dallas, has started at left guard in the NFL. But the Rams would prefer to keep him at center to compete with Mike Gruttadauria.
Vermeil said the Rams probably weren't interested in re-signing John Gerak, last year's starting left guard who was released last month. He wouldn't rule out renewing interest in Ernest Dye, but he said the Rams were more inclined to stand pat for the moment and see how some of their linemen develop in camp.

ARCHIVE

HOME