Rams News

St. Louis Rams
Team Report posted July 31, 1998
by tsn correspondent JIM THOMAS - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Fullback Craig "Ironhead" Heyward may be in for a long wait if he thinks a trade is his ticket out of St. Louis. Heyward did not show up for a scheduled weigh-in July 24 after coach Dick Vermeil gave him a target weight of 260 pounds. He was placed on the team's reserve/did not report list and is being fined $5,000 a day for every missed day of camp. Upset over Vermeil's public comments about his weight, Heyward wants to be traded. But there doesn't figure to be much of a market for Heyward, especially if his weight is at the 290 mark that it was last year at this time.

Plus, the Rams would have to absorb $975,000 of signing bonus money on this year's salary cap if they traded Heyward. Why take a cap hit of nearly $1 million just to satisfy a disgruntled player? The best way for Heyward to force the Rams' hands is by reporting to camp. Then, they must either cut him, or start paying him once September rolls around. . . .

New middle linebacker Eric Hill isn't in Vermeil's doghouse yet, but Hill certainly has Vermeil aggravated with his on-again, off-again practice status because of a back injury. Vermeil wants his players on the practice field, unless they have limbs missing, and expects Hill to show the leadership and toughness that the Rams want out of that position.

"We didn't bring him here to watch practice," Vermeil said.

Hill, though, has been hurting. And as a 10-year veteran, he doesn't need to prove himself in training camp. What counts for Hill is what happens on September 6, not August 6. While his emphasis on a strong work ethic is admirable, Vermeil still needs to adjust his thinking when it comes to handling veteran players. . . .

Don't be surprised to see Vermeil make some cuts after the team's preseason opener on August 8 against Denver. He cut several players last year after a preseason-opening loss to Minnesota, and signed Amp Lee.

POSITIONAL ANALYSIS

Offensive Line: John Flannery, a free agent pickup from Dallas, is quietly pushing incumbent Mike Gruttaduaria at center. The Cowboys showed little interest in re-signing Flannery, who has been plagued by injuries for much of his six NFL seasons. But the Rams have him playing at his best position -- center -- although they may work him some at guard if Gruttadauria holds onto the starting center's job. Flannery adds a much-needed veteran to the mix, as five of the top seven offensive linemen have three years or less of NFL experience.

Quarterbacks: The club will use the preseason games to sort out the backup picture. Steve Bono, Will Furrer and Kurt Warner are vying for two spots behind starter Tony Banks. Don't count Warner, a first-year player, out of the mix. Warner has shown poise and accuracy in the first two weeks of camp "He always makes things happen," Vermeil said. "He always makes a play. There's no question he belongs in the National Football League. I don't know why he wasn't in it sooner. There's a lot of guys on rosters in the National Football League at the quarterback position that are not any more talented."

Running Backs: He may end up being nothing more than training camp fodder, but June Henley has impressed the with his early work. Henley was on the Rams' practice squad last season, but had a very productive college career at Kansas. He has gotten plenty of work because of nagging injuries to the other running backs. "June Henley's doing a good job," Vermeil said. "He's taking advantage of his opportunities, and sooner or later, somebody that's trying to beat him out may not be able to do it."

Receivers: So far, so good for Isaac Bruce and Eddie Kennison. One week through veteran two-a-days, they are injury-free and running strong. Bruce suffered a torn hamstring in camp a year ago, and that marred his '97 season. He missed four games completely at the start of the regular season, and all but a few plays in a fifth. Kennison also had a sore hamstring in camp, and ended up with a variety of nagging injuries early in the regular season. But the Rams have 10 wide receivers in camp, so Bruce and Kennison aren't getting overworked this July and August. The receivers also are doing a little less running overall.

Defensive Line: Second-year end Bryan Robinson is trying to make a name for himself, be it through aggravating Fred Miller in practice to the point where Miller grabbed his facemask in disgust. Or flattening Ryan Tucker during pass-rush drills. As a rookie free agent from Fresno State, Robinson saw very limited duty last year. But the Rams plan to make him more a part of their defensive-line rotation, and may also include him in their nickel pass-rush unit. Robinson has added 25 pounds of muscle since leaving Fresno State -- he now has 295 pounds on his 6-4 frame -- and can play inside or out.

Linebackers: Although his weight is about the same at 240, veteran outside linebacker Roman Phifer hit the weights hard in the offseason to increase his upper body strength. After spending years as a weakside linebacker, Phifer had to take on the tight end much of last season under Bud Carson's defensive schemes. Carson is gone this year, having retired, but the Rams will run the same style defense under co-defensive coordinators Peter Giunta and John Bunting. With much less freedom to roam, Phifer had his quietest season in years, with "only" 99 tackles.

Defensive Backs: Safety looks like the least of the Rams worries this year. Strong safety Toby Wright continues his impressive comeback from reconstructive knee surgery last January. After missing three days of training camp to attend a family funeral, Wright has returned to his format of just practicing once a day during two-a-days. He is running well. Second-year man Billy Jenkins has made the most of Wright's limited work and the absence of Gerald McBurrows (chicken pox) to get most of the work at strong safety. Jenkins, remember, replaced Wright as the starter for two late-season games after Wright's knee injury and played surprisingly well. McBurrows has now returned to camp, where he may end up backing up starting free safety Keith Lyle.

Special Teams: The final group won't be determined until the final cuts, but it appears special teams coach Frank Gansz will have more speed to work with this year on his coverage units, as well as a more attentive group during practices. The Rams finished 17th in punt coverage and 23rd in kickoff return defense a year ago. But youngsters like wide receiver Tony Horne and linebacker London Fletcher -- both rookie free agents -- could help. If they make the team.

INJURY ANALYSIS The Rams are running low on running backs while training with the Colts for three days in Champaign, Ill. Scatback David Thompson missed Thursday's workout with a strained thigh, Jerald Moore continues to get very limited work because of a sore shoulder, and on Thursday afternoon, Robert Holcombe strained a hamstring and sat out the rest of the practice.

Now, the strained back update. Hill, and backup cornerback Joe Rowe continue to sit. On three separate occasions, Hill practiced in the morning, only to have his back spasms flare up, and have to sit during the afternoon workout. He has decided to rest the back completely until it heals. Meanwhile, backup offensive guard Ethan Brooks returned to practice Wednesday after missing five days. Hill, Rowe and Brooks all have strained backs. Exams and testing have shown no structural damage. Hill and Brooks originally suffered their back injuries during weightlifting sessions not long before the start of training camp.

FEARLESS FORECAST

Heyward won't play another down for the Rams.

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