R.B. FALLSTROM Posted on Fri, Jun. 09, 2006
Associated Press
ST. LOUIS - Two years with zero game action is a hurdle the St. Louis Rams apparently believe
Richie Incognito can clear.
The offensive lineman last played in the 2003 Alamo Bowl at Nebraska before disciplinary woes ended his college career, and he came to the NFL with a serious knee injury that knocked out his rookie season last year. But as the team began its final minicamp on Friday, he was running with the first team at left guard.
Incognito moved ahead of last year's rookie starter, Claude Terrell, during OTAs or organized team activities held between minicamps. Mike Martz, who drafted him last year, said Incognito would have been a first-round pick instead of a third-rounder without the injury sustained just before the draft.
"I'm working hard, learning the plays, trying not to make too many mistakes," Incognito said. "Trying to make no mistakes.
"I'm just going to do my thing and work hard and we'll see when training camp comes around."
Incognito is making his move while Terrell, a fourth-round pick last year, recuperates from surgery on his right wrist.
Just being back on the field is almost enough for now for the 300-pound Incognito, an all-Big 12 selection as a sophomore in '03. He was suspended for repeated violations of team rules before the 2004 season, and subsequently dismissed at Oregon later that year after attempting to transfer.
Last year was all rehab. The Rams placed him on injured reserve in November.
"It's just great being a football player again," Incognito said. "When you're on IR it's a tough deal, you're kind of like an outsider.
"Now I'm in the locker room and the weight room with the guys and it's just a great feeling."
Incognito played only left tackle in college, although he filled in some at center during spring practice. He also was with the first team at right guard during an earlier minicamp that Adam Timmerman missed while recuperating from offseason injuries.
"He's been great," coach Scott Linehan said. "He's another one of those guys that's had a great offseason in the weight room."
Notes: Backup QB Gus Frerotte missed the afternoon workout Friday with back spasms. Linehan said Frerotte was hurt moving boxes into his new residence. ... DT Jason Fisk, who signed a one-year contract on Tuesday, was among the new faces at the minicamp. He'll be entering his 13th season and said this will be his last team, although not necessarily his last season. "Hopefully, if everything works right it won't be my last year," Fisk said. "Hopefully, if things work out, maybe I'll get a couple more in." ... CB Jerametrius Butler, who missed last season with a right knee injury, now is hampered by a left hamstring injury. "I've got to listen to my body," he said. "It should be gone in about about another week." ... LB Trev Faulk is sitting out the minicamp after undergoing back surgery, but Linehan expects him to be ready for training camp. "It was one of those things where it was just nagging and it wasn't getting any better and you could see a lot of weakness in his ability to run."
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