Rams News

Rams agree to deal with running back Greg Hill

08/03

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch

MACOMB, Ill. -- Dick Vermeil has seen enough . . . of sidelined running backs.
So the Rams have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with Greg Hill, the free-agent running back and former Kansas City Chief. Hill was due in Macomb on Monday night to sign, and he's expected on the practice field today.
``We've got to have somebody that's been in the league and has lined up and played,'' Vermeil said. ``We've got some good young players at that position, but we can't coach them if they're not on the field.
``It's not their fault they're injured. But we have to have enough to practice. We just can't sit around and wait. The league just doesn't wait.''
Robert Holcombe (hamstring), Jerald Moore (shoulder), and David Thompson (thigh) all missed practice Monday. Moore tried to go in the morning but still had pain and didn't suit up in the afternoon.
Hill paid a free-agent visit to the Rams in early March and was offered a contract, but Hill and agent Carl Poston turned it down.
A former first-round pick from Texas A&M, Hill gained 2,438 yards in four seasons with Kansas City, averaging 4.1 yards a carry. But he didn't carry more than 157 times, or gain more than 667 yards, in a season.
The Rams are also bringing in former Minnesota Vikings back James Stewart for a workout. And on his radio show Monday night, Vermeil got a call from former NFL running back Vaughn Dunbar, who was looking for work. Vermeil took his phone number.

Gansz goes ballistic: Special teams coach Frank Gansz blistered players with criticism for what he thought was a lackluster effort during the afternoon special teams sessions.
``I'm not going to go through what I went through with you guys last year!'' Gansz screamed. ``I'll be coaching in hell! I've been too nice to you guys.''
Other ``highlights'':
> ``We're playing the defending Super Bowl champions this week (Denver). You think they're going to come in and get a (bleep)-kicking?''
> ``You don't think preseason games matter? They matter! They don't count, but they matter!''
Several curse words have been deleted to protect the innocent. At one point during the tirade, defensive tackle D'Marco Farr turned to a group of sideline observers, and joked: ``I guess I picked the wrong week to invite the church group to camp.''
Vermeil stood by his coach.
``If I had six more like him, it would be wonderful,'' Vermeil said. ``Frank Gansz is a great football coach.
``When we have a lousy practice it's the coach's fault, and Frank was not going to allow it to happen. . . . Our special teams have got to win two or three games for us this year. They weren't to his liking last year, and he's using a more aggressive approach with them.''

Ram-blings: Tight end Ernie Conwell (neck), linebacker Eric Hill (back) and cornerback Joe Rowe (back) all returned to practice. Safety Gerald McBurrows took part in his first practice of training camp after a bout with the chicken pox. . . . About 3,000 tickets remain for Saturday's preseason opener against Denver at the Trans World Dome. The game will be blacked out on St. Louis television if not sold out. . . . The Rams hold the first of two night practices in Macomb at 7 tonight at Hanson Field. The other night practice is scheduled for Aug. 12.

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