Rams News

Rams cash in on Vikings' loss

09/12/98

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

Thirteen months ago, an out-of-work Amp Lee sat in front of his TV set watching the Rams play a preseason game against Minnesota. His home at the time, in suburban Minneapolis, was within walking distance of the Rams' team hotel that weekend.
Lee had played - and played pretty well - for the Vikings the previous season. But as an unrestricted free agent, Minnesota showed no interest in re-signing him.
"If there's one frustrating thing to me about that, it's that Coach (Dennis) Green said they didn't think they would be able to afford me, because I was asking too much money," Lee said. "That never was the case. That really kind of portrayed me in the wrong light because they never offered me a nickel."
Lee says neither he nor his agent ever made an offer, either.
In any event, Lee got a call from the Rams the day after that preseason game, and was off to Macomb, Ill. He went on to lead the team in receptions with 61, a franchise record for a running back. He also led the club in reception yards (825) and was voted Rams MVP by his teammates.
"We didn't win a lot of games, but I had fun," Lee said. "It's by far the most fun I had in any season since I played football. I want to continue with that, and I want to obviously win some games."
He'll get that chance Sunday at the Trans World Dome against his former team - the Vikings.
"Me not being re-signed or whatever, they have their reasons for that," Lee said. "But I'm past it. Times pass. Situations change. My career has continued, and I feel like I've established myself here."

Rams get nothing
Twenty-eight of the 30 NFL teams will get $17 million apiece in divvying up the new Cleveland Browns' $530 million franchise fee. But the Rams (and the Baltimore Ravens) agreed to forfeit their shares of the next NFL expansion as part of their relocation agreements in moving to new cities.

Cupboard's not bare
Three Rams were listed among the NFL's Top 100 players in a survey of 13 NFL personnel directors by The Sporting News. Offensive tackle Orlando Pace was ranked No. 37; wide receiver Isaac Bruce was ranked No. 55; and defensive end Kevin Carter was ranked No. 88.
Dallas and New England had the most players make the list, with seven apiece. Chicago was the only team without a player in the Top 100, which featured Brett Favre at No. 1 and Barry Sanders at No. 2.

Scratcher's day clarifications
Because the event is taking place right after the Minnesota game, few Rams players are expected to attend a postgame "Scratchers" day reception in the Rams Club at the Trans World Dome.
United Way volunteers will sell $1 scratch-off tickets outside the dome Sunday. The winners will receive a certificate at the reception good for a Rams player jersey. The actual jerseys - laundered and autographed - will be mailed out later in the week.

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