Rams News

Rams surprise Laing with a trade to the Packers

08/12/98

By Elizabethe Holland
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

Aaron Laing was under the impression that of the five tight ends on the Rams roster, he was having one of the better training camps.
On Wednesday, he learned that wasn't the case.
The Rams traded Laing, a third-year player, to the Green Bay Packers for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. In effect, he was traded for quarterback Steve Bono because in April the Rams snagged Bono from the Packers in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 1999 draft.
Rams coach Dick Vermeil said he felt the trade would be the best option for Laing's career. Laing, who caught five passes for 31 yards last year and tallied his first career touchdown, had been battling Mitch Jacoby, Roland Williams and Tyji Armstrong for what may be two backup spots behind starting tight end Ernie Conwell.
``I didn't think he was going to make the final cut here, and he can play,'' Vermeil said. ``He's had a very good camp . . . but it looked liked these other guys had just a little more talent and they were going to beat him out in the final run, and Green Bay needed a guy, so we sent him there.''
Laing, who played in 15 games last season and started four, has mixed feelings on the move. Green Bay has had a markedly more successful team, but the Rams have a promising future, he said. Further, his wife, Holly, is due to give birth in about five weeks.
``It hurts, just for the fact that I've busted my tail two years here in the offseason, made a lot of friends and established some roots in St. Louis . . . and no one ever wants to leave a situation you're comfortable in,'' he said. ``I thank (Vermeil) that they're at least going to do something like this and let me go and get on my way where I can flourish with another team instead of going down to the final cut . . . and I get left out at the end.''
Laing still stands a risk of getting left out. Green Bay's starting tight end job belongs to Mark Chmura. Jeff Thomason looks to have a hold on the No. 2 position, so Laing's most likely competitor will be Tyrone Davis for the third spot.
Ram-blings: June Henley was without injury Wednesday, but Vermeil thought it was best to give him a break from practice since the other running backs have taken time off recently to mend injuries. . . . Safety Toby Wright may see some playing time in the exhibition game Saturday at San Diego.
Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch staff contributed some information for this notebook.

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