Rams News

St. Louis Rams
Team Report posted August 7, 1998
by tsn correspondent JIM THOMAS - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Rams have had their eye on Greg Hill for quite some time, but it took a rash of nagging injuries to get the former Kansas City Chief under contract.

With second-round draft pick Robert Holcombe (hamstring), Jerald Moore (shoulder) and David Thompson (quad) each sidelined for more than a week, Vermeil and the Rams renewed efforts to sign Hill.

"It's not their fault they're injured," Vermeil said. "But we have to have enough to practice. We just can't sit around and wait. The league doesn't wait."

Although Kansas City showed no interest in re-signing him, Hill figures to be much more than training camp fodder. In four seasons with the Chiefs, Hill averaged 609 yards a season, and 4.1 yards per carry.

Hill is not known as an instinctive runner, nor is he adept at running between the tackles, but he will give the Rams the defense-stretching outside speed that had been lacking in their running back corps.

Hill's quickness should be accentuated as a Ram, because they play 10 of their 16 games on artificial turf. Hill's two-year, $1.2 million deal was for $600,000 less than the Rams offered months earlier in free agency. . . .

Without a doubt, the most-improved player in Rams camp this preseason is offensive tackle Orlando Pace. Pace dedicated himself to a conditioning program in the offseason, and the results have been dramatic. He's increased his upper-body and leg strength. In the process, he has lost about 25 pounds. Pace was not overweight last season at 340 pounds, but much of the baby fat is gone now that he is playing in the 315-320 range.

The added quickness should help Pace handle speed rushers, but he still has enough bulk and strength to be a punishing run blocker. He manhandled Indianapolis' Dan Footman during a recent weekend of joint practices, and has rarely let a teammate get around him during pass-rush drills in training camp.

Pace has a new face next to him at left guard in third-year player Fred Miller. Ed Simmons' decision to retire thrust the promising but very raw Ryan Tucker into the starting position at left guard.

But with Tucker struggling with his pass blocking early in camp, the staff decided to move Miller from right tackle -- where he was backing up Wayne Gandy -- to left guard. Miller's body type -- a high cut 6-7, 315 pounds -- doesn't seem to fit the guard position, but he looked surprisingly comfortable in his first week there. Miller and the Rams will get a truer picture, however, as the preseason games unfold.

POSITIONAL ANALYSIS

Offensive line The Rams will keep a maximum of 10 offensive lineman after the final cutdown, and seven of those spots already are determined with the five starters and backups Ryan Tucker and John Flannery.

That leaves three potential job openings for eight other candidates in training camp. Three intriguing possibilities are Jeremey McKinney, a tough, aggressive tackle from Iowa; Roger Chanoine, a raw, athletic tackle from Temple; and center/guard Tom Nutten, who performed well during the spring playing for the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe.

Quarterback Dick Vermeil wants to see good command, rhythm and leadership from Tony Banks in running the Rams' offense, beginning with the Denver game. He'd also like to see Banks hit 60 percent or better of his throws.

Banks will play the first half of the Broncos game, then give way to Will Furrer in the third quarter and Kurt Warner in the fourth. Steve Bono won't see his first preseason action until the Rams' second exhibition contest, August 15 in San Diego.

Running back Due to all the injuries at the running back position, June Henley will be the starter Saturday against Denver. Henley, a University of Kansas product, was a member of the Rams' practice squad last season. Newcomer Greg Hill should see some action against Denver, but probably only in running situations.

At fullback, Derrick Harris will see his first game action since the 1997 exhibition season. He did not play a down during the '97 regular season. Tight ends Mitch Jacoby and Aaron Laing will occasionally line up in the backfield in the fullback position, in some of the Rams' "H-back" sets.

Receiver Isaac Bruce, Eddie Kennison, Ricky Proehl and Az-Zahir Hakim have the team's first four receiver spots nailed down. That leaves six candidates for what figures to be a maximum of two remaining spots. Among the six, young veterans Johnny "J.T." Thomas and Malcolm Floyd figure to have the edge. To gain ground, Donnell Baker, Tony Horne, Donald Sellers, and Russell Shaw need to make something happen in preseason play.

Defensive line First-round draft pick Grant Wistrom enters the preseason playing special teams, playing on the Rams' first-string nickel pass rush unit, and on the team's second-string base defense. Capable but unspectacular Jay Williams begins exhibition play as the starter at right defensive end.

The sorting process will begin to take place at tackle, where Joe Phillips and Ray Agnew are battling for a starting spot opposite D'Marco Farr. Agnew has looked quicker than anticipated in training camp drills.

Linebacker Eric Hill has returned to practice full-time, after missing most of the first 10 days of training camp. But until he rounds into form, Lorenzo Styles has been working with the first unit at middle linebacker, and was expected to start the Denver game. Styles is a capable backup, but look for Hill back in the lineup before too long.

Muadianvita Kazadi may get the bulk of the playing time with the starting unit against the Broncos at outside linebacker while Roman Phifer gets over a calf injury. The Denver game provides the first look at promising rookie free agents Daryl Bush and London Fletcher in game conditions. Both are middle linebackers.

Defensive back Cornerback Dexter McCleon has the opportunity to stake his claim to the starting job, beginning with the Denver preseason game. McCleon is the Rams' starting right corner until holdout Ryan McNeil decides to report to camp. There is no indication McNeil is budging from his offseason home in Miami any time soon.

McCleon has looked good in practice, and was OK in last weekend's scrimmage against Indianapolis. But the preseason games will provide a more accurate picture of his comfort level.

Special teams Mike Horan, who handled the Rams' punting chores the past 10 games of the 1997 season, worked out for the team Thursday in Macomb. The team wanted to get another look at Horan, who averaged 42.9 yards a kick last season, just in case something happens to Rick Tuten down the line.

Look for Eddie Kennison, Az-Zahir Hakim, and Tony Horne to get a crack at punt returns in Saturday night's preseason opener. Hakim, Horne and June Henley may all get a turn on kickoff returns.

INJURY ANALYSIS

The team is gradually getting over a rash of bumps and bruises caused by the grind of two-a-days. Just five players missed practice on Thursday, the last full-fledged workout before the Denver game.

Only backup defensive end Glenn Young Jr. (hamstring) and safety Toby Wright (knee) were ruled out for Denver as of Friday. Wright has been practicing once a day as he continues his rehabilitation from reconstructive knee surgery, but the Rams don't want him to see game action just yet.

Running backs Robert Holcombe (hamstring), Jerald Moore(shoulder), and David Thompson (thigh) all were expected to see little or no action against Denver.

Young's is the only injury that is more than day-to-day. The rookie free agent from Vanderbilt will be out for three to four weeks, meaning he has no chance of making the club.

FEARLESS FORECAST

Offensive lineman John Flannery will be starting somewhere for the Rams this season, either center or guard.

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