Rams News

Loss of Hill leaves Rams
scrambling for a starting running back
09/21 07:14 PM

By Jason Strait Associated Press Writer

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis Rams had expected to see Greg Hill in the backfield for the rest of the season, but once again all they've found is uncertainty.

Hill rushed for a career-high 158 yards against the Buffalo Bills Sunday before fracturing his right fibula in the fourth quarter. He scored two touchdowns in the 34-33 win over the Bills and appeared to solidify a backfield that had been unstable since the release of Lawrence Phillips one year ago.

``He has done some things that supposedly he wasn't able to do,'' Rams coach Dick Vermeil said of Hill. ``We were starting to strap the saddle on him and ride.''

That trip appears to be over.

Hill, who underwent surgery Monday, initially was expected to be out 6-8 weeks. However, Vermeil said that Hill may be out for the year depending on results of the operation.

Now the Rams are left with either third-year player Jerald Moore or rookie Robert Holcombe as their starting running back.

Vermeil said he had ``feelings'' on who the starter would be for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals, but he wouldn't elaborate until he'd spoke with running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery and the players involved.

Moore started five games last year for the Rams as well as this year's opener against the New Orleans Saints. But he fumbled three times against New Orleans and was benched in favor of Hill.

Vermeil said he still had confidence in Moore, who ran for 380 yards last season and scored three touchdowns.

``He shook me up and fumbled the ball three times,'' Vermeil said. ``But I have still seen him play well, so you know he can do it.''

Holcombe, a highly-regarded running back from Illinois, was a second-round draft choice by the Rams. He set the single-season rushing records for Illinois as a junior.

Holcombe was inactive for the first three games, but Vermeil said he likely would be activated and play in Sunday's game.

Holcombe said it was unfortunate that Hill's injury will clear the way for him to play and drove to the injured running back's home Sunday to offer support.

``I think anybody wants an opportunity. It's unfortunate that something like that happened, you never want anything like that to happen,'' Holcombe said. ``When my time comes I'll be ready.''

The team appeared quite confident in Moore's ability before the Saints game, leaving Hill and Holcombe on the inactive list.

But after Moore fumbled once into the arms of New Orleans defensive end Joe Johnson and then twice more inside the Saints' 5, Vermeil demoted Moore to a backup role.

Moore carried the ball just twice in Sunday's Bills' game for zero yards. He said the Saints game ``could have happened to anyone,'' and that he would welcome a second chance.

``I was the backup last week, so you would assume that I would be in the starting position, but you never know,'' Moore said.

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