Rams News

Hill is impressive in Rams' debut

Sunday, August 9, 1998

By Elizabethe Holland
Of The Post-Dispatch

* In limited action, running back gains 56 yards on 7 carries and scores Rams' only TD.

The nerve of that Greg Hill.
First, he took it upon himself to address his team of less than a week before the Rams took the field against the defending NFL champions Saturday at the Trans World Dome.
Then, the Rams' newest running back racked up 56 yards and a touchdown in limited play. That would be 42 yards and one touchdown more than Super Bowl 32 MVP Terrell Davis produced Saturday night.
And here's the kicker: Hill, who agreed to a two-year deal with the Rams just last Monday, says he's only at 50 percent.
The nerve.
"Right now, I'm not in any kind of shape," Hill said after the Broncos beat the Rams 20-13 in both teams' first exhibition game. "I've only been here five days and as far as being in shape, I'm far from it."
The former Kansas City Chief found it in himself, however, to burst forth against the Broncos. He was able to do so, he said, thanks to the Rams' offensive line and the overtime efforts of running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery, who spent last week helping Hill adjust to a different offense.
"It was really important to me not to go out here and be in front of all these fans and be embarrassed, so I wanted to take as much time as I could to cram, cram, cram," Hill said. "Now that this game is over, I have another week to let it all settle in so I can smooth out the rough edges and keep fighting for a starting job."
Hill's signing and shot at playing this weekend were due to several injuries among the team's running backs. Robert Holcombe sat out because of a hamstring injury, Jerald Moore because of his shoulder and David Thompson because of his thigh.
The new guy drew several ringing endorsements.
"The guys like to block for a guy who will really go out there and stick his nose up in it, and he did a nice job," quarterback Will Furrer said.
"He's a nice spark for us, and I think the offensive line responded to him and I think that we as players responded to him tonight and it was nice to see a guy play well like that - especially since he's new."
Even the opposition offered a strong report.
"I'm glad he's not in the AFC West anymore, that's a plus," Davis said. "This year with the Rams, I'm looking for a breakout year from him. I imagine he's going to be their starting guy."
As for the pregame locker room pep talk, Hill said he couldn't help himself. He wanted the team to know how seriously he takes the game, that he could be leaned on and that they should start making necessary changes to make a move in the NFL.
"I think a lot of guys, they caught onto it," Hill said. "Some guys started getting up and saying, `Yeah, that's my kind of guy, that's what I like to hear.' And I saw some guys cutting eyes at me like, `Hey, you haven't even been here that long.' . . .
"I know I've only been here four or five days, but it's important to me that we become a family here because I know if we do become a family, then we will win more games. I just wanted to say my piece as far as letting the guys know that I'm one of the guys that I hope that they realize they can lean on to start the season stronger this year."

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