Rams News

Hill fully expects to keep playing

09/13/98

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

The question begged to be asked: Do you think you'll be in uniform next week?
Greg Hill let out a hearty laugh and tried to give a deadpan answer.
"I'm going to go back out and work hard this week," he said, with mock earnestness.
Then he paused and told the truth: "He better not put my name on that inactive list," Hill said.
Hill rushed 21 times for 82 yards in Sunday's 38-31 loss to Minnesota. He would have gone over 100 had he not inadvertently stepped out of bounds on a 19-yard run in the first quarter.
Some of his best runs came in close quarters - like his touchdown runs of 1 and 5 yards. On both plays he had too much speed on the corners for the Minnesota defense.
It was enough to make one wonder: What on earth was the Rams coaching staff thinking when it decided to place Hill on the inactive list last week against New Orleans?
Interestingly, coach Dick Vermeil wasn't lavish in his praise of Hill.
"I thought Greg did a nice job," Vermeil said. "I really did. And I'm not surprised. We blocked for him."
Minnesota coach Dennis Green was very impressed.
"Anybody who thinks Greg Hill can't run the ball, you're not paying attention," Green said.
Big Play Day: Bruce had the longest reception of his career - 80 yards. And the longest run of his career - 30 yards on a first-quarter reverse. The 80-yard completion also was the longest of Tony Banks' career.
Place-kicker Jeff Wilkins' 53-yard field goal in the first half was a career best.
A 74-yard touchdown run by Robert Smith tied an opponent record for longest run against the Rams.
Mike D. Jones' lumbering 38-yard run with a fumble recovery appears to be the longest ramble in his NFL career. Jones, the Rams' defensive end, picked up a Brad Johnson fumble forced by D'Marco Farr and "raced" to the Vikings' 14-yard line in the fourth quarter, setting up the Rams' third TD.
Wright stuff: It was one week overdue, but Toby Wright was in the starting lineup for the Rams at strong safety.
"I got tired toward the end. My leg got tired," said Wright, on the road back from reconstructive knee surgery in January. "I'm still trying to smooth off all the rough edges. This is my first start in (almost) 10 months."
At least his first regular-season start. Wright tore some scar tissue in the knee in the Rams' preseason finale against Kansas City, keeping him out of last week's season opener against New Orleans.
Wright played a lot Sunday, finishing with four tackles. He was replaced by Billy Jenkins in obvious passing situations.
Injury Update: For the second week in a row, the opposing team lost its quarterback in the second half. Last week, it was New Orleans' Billy Joe Hobert, lost for the rest of the season with an Achilles' tendon injury. On Sunday, Minnesota's Brad Johnson left with a sprained ankle suffered midway through the fourth quarter. Johnson's status is questionable for next week's Vikings game against Detroit.
The Rams reported no injuries after the game. Bruce cramped up briefly on the Rams' final drive, and got a chipped tooth - compliments of an overzealous Fred Miller. Miller, the Rams' 315-pound left guard, head-butted Bruce after Bruce's 80-yard TD reception.
Center Mike Gruttaduaria (knee) was on the team's Sunday inactive list. Linebacker Eric Hill played with a broken hand.
Ram-blings: Besides Gruttadauria, the Rams' Sunday inactive list consisted of running back June Henley and tight end Roland Williams. . . . Dexter McCleon started at right corner, with Ryan McNeil joining the secondary in nickel situations.

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