Rams News

St. Louis Rams
Team Report posted August 20, 1998
by tsn correspondent JIM THOMAS - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The center competition between Mike Gruttadauria and John Flannery figured to be among the most heated of training camp. Now, Flannery has a leg up, literally. Gruttadauria underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Wednesday in St. Louis to remove a cyst and repair torn cartilage. "I think it's been something that's been gradually bothering him," coach Dick Vermeil said.

Gruttadauria will miss two to four weeks, meaning he could miss the regular-season opener against New Orleans, and perhaps Game 2 against Minnesota. Gruttadauria had been holding off Flannery, playing particularly well in the preseason opener against Denver. Flannery, a free agent pickup from Dallas, also had been working at right guard, where he had been backing up Zach Wiegert. But Flannery's natural position is center. If nothing else, Flannery has at least the team's final two preseason games -- maybe longer -- to show what he can do and stake a claim to the job. . . .

Training camp ended with a bang Wednesday in Macomb, Ill. Vermeil signaled the end of camp by firing a small 10-gauge "cannon" after huddling up with his players on the practice field. The hand-held cannon was given to Vermeil as a gift by a business executive. With that the players tore out for the dorm, their cars and the three-hour ride back to St. Louis. Vermeil drove back, too, with the knowledge that he had worked his players hard and had gotten a solid effort in return. But he also had to be concerned about the team's passing offense and defense.

"We're not as far along as I had hoped to be," Vermeil said. "Overall, I can't fault the players. I think their work ethic has been very good . . . I think gradually that will pay off."

Vermeil is particularly concerned about the play of quarterback Tony Banks, who hasn't had very many repetitions in the team's two preseason games, but hasn't made anything happen, either. On the other side of the ball, the Rams have given up 571 passing yards in two games. But they've been playing much of the preseason without five defensive starters, and have done very little blitzing.

INJURY ANALYSIS

Four linebackers sat out Wednesday's practice in Macomb, the final session before breaking camp for St. Louis. Charlie Clemons and Lorenzo Styles have groin pulls, but Daryl Bush (knee) and Muadianvita Kazadi (biceps) are facing more serious injuries.

Kazadi, who started both preseason games because of an injury to the now-healthy Roman Phifer, may need surgery. And Bush, a rookie free agent, had knee problems at Florida State. Tests have revealed an "abnormality" in Bush's knee, but the Rams aren't sure at this point if it's a new injury or residue from Bush's college injury.

Other than Gruttadauria, the Rams made it home from Western Illinois University relatively unscathed. There are a lot of players with bumps and bruises, however. Included on that list are running back Amp Lee (foot), cornerback Joe Rowe (knee) and safety Gerald McBurrows (hip).

POSITIONAL ANALYSIS

Offensive Line: Yes, the first-string offense has struggled during the preseason, but don't blame it on the pass blocking. The Rams have played their first-string offensive line in the first half of both preseason games, and haven't yielded a sack. The Rams attempted 27 passes in those two games. The switch to the shotgun formation in obvious passing situations has helped take some off the pressure of the quarterbacks and the offensive line.

Quarterbacks: Because the Rams have had such little possession time with their starting offensive unit, Vermeil has decided to start Banks on Saturday against Dallas. Vermeil originally wanted to start journeyman Will Furrer against the Cowboys, figuring Furrer deserved a chance to show what he could do playing with the first team against an opponent's first team. But Banks has thrown only 18 passes in two games, and Vermeil figures he needs the work. Banks was in for only eight plays last week against San Diego, playing the first quarter.

Running backs: Saturday's preseason game against Dallas will be critical in sorting out the Rams' crowded backfield picture. June Henley, a practice squad player in 1997, started the first two preseason games in large part because of injuries to others, but did nothing eye-opening. In reality, the competition for the starting halfback spot boils down to Jerald Moore, Robert Holcombe and Greg Hill. Moore and Holcombe ran hard against San Diego in their preseason debuts. Both had missed the Denver game with injuries.

Receivers: Malcolm Floyd may have made a move for the fifth wide receiver spot, thanks to his nifty move away from Chargers defensive back Dorian Brew, en route to a 46-yard gain. The play carried to the San Diego 4-yard line and set up a Rams touchdown. The Rams continue to spread the ball around in the preseason -- 13 players caught at least one pass against the Chargers. Twelve players caught at least one pass in the preseason opener against Denver. But with the possible exception of Floyd, no one has stood out among a half dozen candidates for the one or two receiver jobs behind Isaac Bruce, Eddie Kennison, Ricky Proehl and Az-Zahir Hakim.

Defensive line: The Rams were low on defensive ends against San Diego, with both Grant Wistrom (pinched nerve) and Bryan Robinson (knee) missing the game with minor injuries. That gave unheralded Corey Sears a chance for a lot of playing time, and he made the most of it, with five tackles, including one for loss. "He's having a hell of a training camp," defensive line coach Carl Hairston said. But Sears will be hard-pressed to beat out Robinson or Jeff Zgonina for one of the backup jobs.

Linebackers: Styles has been one of the bright spots of training camp. In a linebacker corps lacking depth, Styles is the top backup at all three positions. He's a middle linebacker by trade, but played well enough against San Diego at both right and left outside linebacker. Styles actually started the Denver and San Diego games at middle linebacker ahead of Eric Hill, but Hill is gradually returning to form after missing a lot of early camp practices with a strained back.

Defensive backs: For the second week in a row, the Rams' safeties struggled in the passing game. Starting free safety Keith Lyle rested for the second consecutive game with a tight hamstring. Starting strong safety Toby Wright made his preseason debut, getting in for about 10 plays as he continues to work his way back from offseason knee surgery. Billy Jenkins Jr., who has started in Wright's place in both preseason games, has played the run well, but has been getting torched against the pass. Gerald McBurrows, who missed the first week of camp with the chicken pox, has started both games at free safety -- a new position to him. He's a strong safety by trade.

Special teams: There's much work to be down after a rough night in San Diego. Punther Rick Tuten had a slightly high but very catchable punt snap from Jeff Robinson sail through his hands, setting up a Chargers touchdown. Jeff Wilkins missed an extra point. And Rams returners muffed several kickoffs, although none resulted in a turnover. Last year's return leader, David Thompson, has yet to field a kickoff. He has missed much of training camp with a thigh injury, although he dressed against San Diego.

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