Rams News

With Hill out, Rams will give Holcombe a chance to run
09/21 11:31 PM

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

Robert Holcombe watched the Rams' season opener from the stands.
He viewed Game 2 from the sidelines.
And he didn't watch Sunday's game at all.
But the rookie running back should get a much different view of the action this week against Arizona. From inside the huddle.
In the wake of Greg Hill's broken leg against Buffalo, coach Dick Vermeil said Holcombe will be in uniform for the first time this season against the Big Red. But exactly how much he will play, or whether he will start, remained undecided as of Monday night.
``I'm not afraid to start Robert Holcombe,'' Vermeil said. ``I think Robert Holcombe is going to be a pretty good football player, and I'm looking forward to seeing him.''
But Jerald Moore isn't out of the picture, and June Henley is a long shot along the rail.
Nonetheless, Holcombe remains the logical choice. (Not that the Rams' running back decisions this season have been logical.) Holcombe isn't a speed merchant like Hill, but he's a slasher who will run tough between the tackles.
He led the Rams in rushing in the preseason, then much to his chagrin, found himself on the team's pregame inactive list against New Orleans, Minnesota and Buffalo.
``Nobody coming in pictures themselves standing on the sideline,'' Holcombe said. ``Everybody wants to have an opportunity to play. It's hard standing on the sideline watching everybody play, and even sitting in the meetings when you know you're not going to be out there on Sundays.''
In the past couple of weeks, Holcombe has talked to Vermeil and running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery about his status. He didn't like what he heard, but he could understand it.
``Coach Vermeil has explained to me that he was doing the best thing for the team,'' Holcombe said. ``And I have to respect that, even though I want to be out there on the field.''
Because Holcombe was designated inactive on Friday, and the Rams were playing in Buffalo, he didn't travel with team. Instead, he spent the weekend visiting friends at the University of Illinois. On Sunday, he couldn't find the Rams' game on Champaign-area television -- the Chicago Bears' game was on instead.
So he didn't know about Hill's broken leg until he returnd to his Creve Coeur area residence Sunday night. ``I was just laying in bed watching the news,'' Holcombe said.
Holcombe went over to Hill's house -- they are practically neighbors -- once he learned the news.
``I know Greg's a good person,'' Holcombe said. ``You never want anything like that to happen, but things tend to work out sometimes like that in this league.''
For three Sundays, Holcombe has watched highlights of rookie backs Curtis Enis, Robert Edwards, Fred Taylor and John Avery pile up the rushing yards. Now, Hill's misfortune could be his good fortune.
``I think everything happens for a reason, and it wasn't my time,'' Holcombe said. ``I think when my time comes, I'll be ready.''
It could come Sunday. ``I feel confident that if I'm out there I can go out and execute,'' he said.
Meanwhile, Moore hopes the coaching staff gives him another opportunity after his three-fumble performance in the New Orleans game.
``I don't know if they feel like it's time,'' Moore said. ``Or if they feel comfortable with me running the ball just yet. I'm ready. My confidence is back.''
He was dropped from the starting lineup after New Orleans, and played sparingly against Minnesota and Buffalo. He didn't carry at all against the Vikings, and had two rushes for 0 yards against Buffalo.
``It's been tough because I kind of feel helpless,'' Moore said. ``You try so hard, and things don't go your way. And all of a sudden they have to make a change, and you have to deal with it.
``I'm quite sure we can pick up the slack, whoever gets the opportunity to run the ball. . . . Especially with the offensive line blocking like they've blocked these last two games. I think you can put just about anybody back there, and they can get the job done.''

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