Two 'peas in a pod' are mainstays

[RamWraith]

By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
08/01/2006



Since the start of the 1999 season and the amazing run to the Super Bowl XXXIV title, the Rams haven't played a single game without the Donut Bros. - Adam Timmerman and Andy McCollum.

In fact, right guard Timmerman has started all but one game - regular season and postseason - over that span. Over the same period, McCollum has started 98 of 112 regular-season games and nine of 10 playoff contests - mostly at center.

But both players were banged up last season. Both players are in their mid-30s. And in case you haven't noticed, there's a new coaching staff in town, with its own ideas about personnel.

So while it's difficult to imagine a St. Louis Rams offensive line without McCollum and Timmerman, coach Scott Linehan broached that very subject at the start of training camp last week.



"We've got some guys who are towards the end of their career, with Andy and Adam," Linehan said. "We're certainly glad to still have them, but we also know that there are some young guys that have been brought here for a reason, and they're going to be pushing for starting roles. So everybody knows they've got to play at a high level to keep that spot."

All of which sounds very much like a challenge.

"(Linehan) hasn't been around us, and doesn't know what we're all about," said Timmerman, who turns 35 next month. "So I think there is kind of a proving period. We have to come out and re-prove ourselves so he knows what you're all about; so he knows that you're tough and you can do the assignments, and do them better than anyone behind you."

McCollum, who turned 36 last month, says he always comes to training camp with that mindset.

"You've got to prove yourself every year," said McCollum, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent with Cleveland in 1994. "You've got to make sure that you show everyone that you're the man, the best man for the job."

In the opening days of camp, McCollum has been backed up by Larry Turner at center. Behind Timmerman at right guard is Claude Terrell, who started 10 games at left guard a year ago.



"The interior of our offensive line will be a very highly contested battle to see who we end up with on the 10th," Linehan said, in reference to the Sept. 10 season opener against Denver. "I don't foresee anything unusual happening, but if somebody steps up and plays good, you reward people with performance by moving them up the depth chart."

At face value, it may be a jolt when the head coach pronounces you near the end of the line, but Timmerman shrugged off the notion.

"Well, I probably could have told him that I'm closer to the end than to the beginning, that's for sure," Timmerman said.

For most of the past seven years, McCollum and Timmerman have been inseparable at Rams Park. Rarely did you see one without the other ... both of them smiling and affable off the field, but intense and focused on it.

"The two of them are like two peas in a pod," said Jim Hanifan, their line coach in St. Louis from 1999 through '03. "They're always doing things together. One guy gets a Corvette, the other guy had to get a Corvette."

One guy gets shoulder surgery; the other guy gets shoulder surgery ... one guy eats a Krispy Kreme; the other guy eats two.

McCollum and Timmerman picked up their distinctive nickname because of their affinity for doughnuts. But in one of the most surprising developments of this or any other offseason, Timmerman has all but given up eating doughnuts.

"I've cut back," Timmerman said. "Definitely cut back. I've been trying to eat a little bit healthier. Gave up the soda and just a couple things."

Which has been distressing news for McCollum. "I'm still trying to get him back on the wagon," McCollum said. "He thinks (doughnuts) are bad for him. I don't know where he got that idea. ... He's eating smoothies and granola and all kinds of crap."

As a result, Timmerman is trimmer than he has been in years. His weight is down to 296 from his usual 305. The better to keep his job for another year or two, right?

"I still think that I've got something to give," Timmerman said. "I think as long as I have something to contribute and play at a high level that's acceptable to me, I'm going to keep playing. As long as health isn't something long term that's going to give me problems."

Timmerman had surgery on both shoulders and his foot after the '04 season. He also had a knee injury that did not require surgery.

"He was all crippled up," Hanifan said. "He couldn't really do anything as far as working out (in the offseason). When he did go into training camp, he really wasn't ready."

One year later, McCollum experienced a similar offseason, undergoing surgery on both shoulders and a knee. Unlike Timmerman a year earlier, McCollum was able to do some conditioning work in the offseason.

"You go year by year," McCollum said. "I signed for two more (last November). So I'm going to do that, and we'll see how I feel at the end of that."

[jkramsfan]

it will be a sad day when these two guys are not playing for the rams anymore,they were and still are very important to the success of this team.

[AugustaRamFan]

The Doughnut Bros have a great attitude!

Although I like the gauntlet laid down by Linehan, I wish he would be a little more "sensitive" of the vets (NOTE: I had another word besides "sensitive" -but changed it... maybe a better word would be better..tolerant??).

Perhaps he can find a better way to motivate the Doughnut Bros!!

With that said, I agree, it will be a sad day when one or both of these warriors hang up their pads for the last time.

[general counsel]

Any article about the brothers is incomplete without at least a mention of the third donut brother, one of the bravest and guttsiest rams ever, tom nutten. I miss nutten already.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[MoonJoe]

Amen to that GC, Nutten will be missed!


Joe

[jkramsfan]

maybe dez can get nutten to go to the bash.