From USA Today
Tight end Cam Cleeland will be back in training camp with the Rams after agreeing to a one-year contract last week. But it will be a player with a different perspective after Cleeland tried valiantly to save the life of a 22-year-old man May 23.
Cleeland was driving in Mount Vernon, Wash., about 70 miles north of Seattle, when he came upon a burning car that had struck a tree. Inside was Timothy Roth. Cleeland attempted to put out the blaze with an extinguisher and also removed the air bag from Roth's face. In the process, Cleeland suffered burns on his hands.
Roth died the next day, and Cleeland has not wanted to talk publicly about his attempted heroics.
Rams media assistant Artis Twyman said Cleeland did not want to be interviewed.
"Cam was really shaken up about it when I talked to him," Twyman said. "I tried to talk to him but I could tell he didn't want to talk about it too much or go in depth, out of respect for the family.
"He said it's something you really don't want to experience in life. It must have been really bad; I could hear him getting choked up."
Cleeland joined the Rams last season and caught 10 passes for 145 yards with no touchdowns. The Rams had been offering him a one-year contract throughout the offseason, but Cleeland wanted to see what other teams might be interested.
The Rams hope he can contribute more after spending one season becoming comfortable with the team's offense.
NOTES, QUOTES, ANECDOTES
—The Larry Marmie Arizona connection is resulting in some new players that will compete for roster spots in training camp.
Marmie, the Rams' new defensive coordinator, had been with the Cardinals since 1996 before being fired with the entire staff following the 2003 season.
After the Rams cleared about $4.5 million in salary-cap space with the release of quarterback Kurt Warner, they signed safety Justin Lucas and made a waiver claim on defensive tackle. Both were released by the Cardinals on June 1. Lucas could be signed quickly because as a vested veteran, his contract was immediately terminated. Players with Bell's status, who have fewer than four accrued seasons, must go through waivers for 10 days.
The Rams' starting safeties are Aeneas Williams (free) and Adam Archuleta (strong), but Williams usually moves into the slot in the nickel defense. Those competing for backup safety jobs are Rich Coady, Shane Walton, rookie Jason Shivers and Lucas.
At defensive tackle, the Rams also need depth behind Damione Lewis, Ryan Pickett and Jimmy Kennedy. Undrafted free agent Brian Howard will also challenge for a backup job.
—The Rams essentially traded scouts with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Marmie (along with coach Mike Martz) had a hand in that, too. Shortly after the draft, college scout Ryan Grigson left for a job that had more responsibility with the Eagles.
Replacing Grigson will be Dave Boller, who had been a scout with the Eagles for the last six years. The 42-year-old Boller was at Arizona State from 1985-95, where he was heavily involved in recruiting. Marmie was the head coach at Arizona State from 1988-91, when Martz was the offensive coordinator. Martz was also the offensive coordinator at ASU in 1984 and was a position coach there in 1983 and 1986-87.
Prior to 1985, Boller was a student at Arizona State and was the football team manager.
—The expected became reality June 2 when the Rams released quarterback Kurt Warner, officially ending a magic ride that began in 1999 when Warner emerged from obscurity to lead the Rams to a Super Bowl victory over the Tennessee Titans.
For three seasons, there was no better quarterback than Warner, who had 98 touchdown passes in that time frame. But the magic ended as quickly as it began.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I like our football team, I really do. Not having room in the cap and having holes to fill is a difficult situation. Fortunately, we've got good people here. So, we'll just see where it goes." - Coach Mike Martz, on the limited options the team has even after the release of QB Kurt Warner.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
FRANCHISE PLAYER: OT
Orlando Pace (tendered at $7.021M).
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers): QB Scott Covington; S Jason Sehorn; CB Fred Weary.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: QB
Marc Bulger; CB Jerametrius Butler; TE Cam Cleeland; S Rich Coady; C Andy Eby; DE Bryce Fisher; P Sean Landeta; WR
Dane Looker; LB Jeremy Loyd; TE Brandon Manumaleuna; OG Adam Timmerman.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED: QB Chris Chandler; S Justin Lucas; DE Sean Moran.
PLAYERS LOST: LB Jamie Duncan; S Kim Herring; OG David Loverne; OL John St. Clair; QB Kurt Warner; DE Grant Wistrom; DT Brian Young.
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
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