Rams News

Stargell helps fill gap at cornerback

07/26/98

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

MACOMB, Ill. -- Cornerback Tony Stargell may be new to the Rams, but he's no stranger to the Trans World Dome.
His last two games of the 1997 season were played in the Dome -- for different teams. Stargell suffered a sprained ankle there on Aug. 22, playing for the Governor's Cup preseason trophy as a Kansas City Chief.
Once he recovered from that injury, Stargell was released by the Chiefs with an injury settlement midway through the season. He was then picked up by Chicago and played his only regular-season game Dec. 14 at the Dome, in the Bears' 13-10 win over the Rams.
This time, Stargell hopes to stick around for several more games in St. Louis.
With Ryan McNeil holding out, and the Rams a couple of players light on their roster, Stargell gets another chance to prolong his NFL career. The Rams signed him Saturday as a free agent, and he participated in his first Rams practice Sunday.
``It's a good opportunity for me to come in here and show my talent,'' Stargell said after running sprints following Sunday's practice. ``I'm a little rusty today -- first day -- but every day I'll get better and hopefully I can help get this team on a winning level.''
Stargell, 31, said it was his own idea to do the sprints.
``I feel like I need to do a little extra,'' he said. ``I might need to knock off a couple more pounds to get my quickness and everything back.''
Chicago didn't offer Stargell a new contract following the '97 seasons, so he spent the offseason living and working out in Georgia. Baltimore showed some interest during the offseason.
But with 94 NFL games -- including 39 starts -- on his resume, Stargell wasn't interested in trying out just for the sake of trying out.
``In the past, I did 15 workouts every time I became a free agent, which had become a problem,'' he said. ``It's not fun. You're traveling. On and off a plane every other day. In and out.''
After eight years in the league, how much does Stargell have left?
``That I don't know,'' he said. ``Hopefully, five more years, 10 more years. Until I stop getting calls and people stop believing in me, that's when I guess I'll give it up. But right now, I feel pretty comfortable coming back playing.''
Injury update: The Rams were light at running back Sunday, with Jerald Moore (bruised shoulder) and Robert Holcombe (sore Achilles' tendon) resting what appear to be minor injuries.
Of Moore, coach Dick Vermeil said: ``He can't afford to miss too many practices, that's been part of his problem in his career. But I think he'll be back soon.''
As for Holcombe's injury, Vermeil said, ``We're resting it just a little bit so he doesn't irritate it. He said it felt a little bit better today than it did (Saturday).''
Linebacker Eric Hill (back) and wide receiver Tony Horne (elbow) were back practicing Sunday after missing workouts on Saturday.

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