Rams News

Continued holdout could cost McNeil

08/18/98

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff MACOMB, Ill. -- If holdout cornerback Ryan McNeil doesn't sign with the Rams soon, he could start getting hit in the wallet.
More precisely, if he doesn't sign before Saturday's preseason game with Dallas, he's in danger of getting docked a ``game'' check -- or 1/17th of his salary. If McNeil eventually signs for the Rams' franchise player tender offer of $3.2 million, one game check equals $188,000.
Here's how the two-step process works:
> Under NFL rules, the Rams can request a temporary roster exemption for late-reporting players. McNeil would not count against their roster limit for two games. If he's not signed by Saturday, the two-game exemption would include the team's Aug. 28 preseason finale in Kansas City, plus the team's regular-season opener at home against New Orleans on Sept. 6.
> Under the league's collective bargaining agreement, once the Rams are granted roster-exempt status for McNeil, they do not have to pay him for any missed regular-season games.
Players' base salaries are parceled out in 17-week installments over the course of the regular-season -- the 16 game weeks, plus the bye week.
During training camp and the preseason, players get a stipend, unrelated to their contracts. All rookies get $675 a week in camp and during the preseason schedule. All veterans get $800 a week in camp, and $1,000 a week once the preseason schedule starts.
A McNeil publicist confirmed recently that McNeil and agent Brian Ransom were considering holding a press conference Friday in St. Louis to announce McNeil's plans for the 1998 season.
Besides the franchise player offer, the Rams have offered McNeil two-year and four-year contracts. McNeil can take any of those offers, or decide to sit out the season.
But even if McNeil showed up today, would he be physically ready to play in the regular-season opener, which is just 18 days away?
``I don't know if he would or not,'' coach Dick Vermeil said. ``I really don't know. You'd have to see him. I just know last year in training camp, it took him a long time.''
Cowboys a sellout: Saturday's preseason game against Dallas at the Trans World Dome has met NFL sellout requirements and will be televised locally. The game, which kicks off at 7 p.m., will be shown on KTVI (Channel 2).
Despite the ``sellout'' designation, a few hundred tickets remain for sale, mainly returns from Dallas' allotment. For ticket information, call 989-8000, or (800) 771-3666.
Banks to start: Tony Banks will start against the Cowboys and will play the first half and perhaps even into the third quarter. Will Furrer will play the third quarter, and Vermeil said Kurt Warner probably would play the fourth.
Ram-blings: Vermeil announced that the Rams will waive tight end Aaron Laing today. . . . The Rams held their annual ``Rookie Show'' on Tuesday night at the Purple Pride nightclub in Macomb. As usual, much of the entertainment took the form of players poking fun at the coaching staff.

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