Rams News

Holcombe continues `learning'
07/29 09:32 PM

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Last year at this time, Robert Holcombe eagerly stood at the edge of the practice fields outside Memorial Stadium. Along with a few thousand fans, he came to watch the Rams work out against the Indianapolis Colts.
``It was exciting to me, because I'd never been close to an NFL environment,'' Holcombe said. ``I wanted to come out and see the speed of the game.''
But as the star running back for the University of Illinois -- about to return for his senior season -- Holcombe watched with more than a fan's interest. He moved all around that steamy day in late July, watching the various drills that morning, then moving inside the stadium for a scrimmage.
He paid particular attention to running backs Marshall Faulk and Lawrence Phillips, but soaked in everything.
``It definitely was a different level,'' Holcombe said. ``The holes closed up a lot faster. Guys moved a lot quicker on both sides of the ball.''
Holcombe makes his triumphant return to Champaign today, when the Rams begin three days of joint practices with the Colts, capped by a Saturday scrimmage. After finishing his college career as the Illini's career rushing leader, Holcombe was drafted early in the second round by St. Louis.
This year, fans will be watching him. So will several young Illini players eager for a firsthand look at the NFL, as Holcombe was a year ago. After today's workouts, Holcombe will exchange handshakes and hugs with his former college teammates. But he won't see Steve Willis.
Just 28 days ago -- July 2 -- Holcombe phoned Willis in Champaign. Willis was coming to St. Louis for the Fourth of July weekend, and would be staying at Holcombe's place.
Space was at a premium in Holcombe's apartment. ``So I was just calling to tell him to bring some extra stuff to sleep, bring some pillows,'' Holcombe said.
But when he asked for Willis on the phone, former Illini teammate Manuel Strong broke the stunning news: Steve is dead.
Willis, from Mehlville High, had died at age 22 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on July 1.
``It was a shock to me, just as much as it was to everybody else,'' Holcombe said. ``He was one of my best friends, so it's just something I had to do a lot of praying over.''
Holcombe couldn't believe what he was hearing, and probably still can't believe it.
``It was hard for me to believe that when I went back to Champaign he wouldn't be there,'' Holcombe said. ``I wouldn't get to see him play, and he wouldn't get a chance to see me play for St. Louis.
``Because that's what we talked about all the time. A few years ago, he predicted that I would be drafted by the Rams. When they first moved to St. Louis, he said I was going to be a St. Louis Ram.''
They were roommates for a while during Holcombe's time at Illinois. They hung out together.
``He was my sidekick,'' Holcombe said. ``When I went out, he went out. He was with me.''
Willis, scheduled to start at safety for the Illini this year, would have been among the Illini players watching Holcombe, the Rams and the Colts. So please forgive Holcombe if his mind wanders this weekend to Willis, their happy days together at Illinois, and a death that can't be explained.
``I couldn't have seen it coming,'' Holcombe said.
So far, Holcombe says his first NFL training camp has been ``very educational. I'm learning a lot. I think at this stage, I've got a long ways to go as far as polishing up a lot of things and getting rid of some bad habits.''
Holcombe has been slowed this week by a sore Achilles' tendon -- a foot injury caused by . . . the shoes he was wearing.
``I had some high-tops on,'' Holcombe said. ``I think it was just how they were made on the inside -- the inside structure. So I switched to some `lows.' ''
Even with the injury, Holcombe kept the pads on every day, doing what he could in practice.
``His work habits are tremendous,'' coach Dick Vermeil said. ``But we won't know really what we've got with him . . . until it gets really full speed, and he gets a chance to carry the ball against somebody else.''

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