Everything's on the line when the Rams play this summer
BY JEFF GORDON
Want a reason to pay attention when the Rams play their preseason games this summer?
Here's one: Both lines, offensive and defensive, are currently works in progress. Both units have lost key players, either temporarily or permanently.
Several unfamiliar faces have the opportunity to earn key roles for the 2004 season. So the trench battles during the four preseason games should be interesting to watch.
If both jerry-rigged units meet the challenge, the Rams will be a Super Bowl contender. If either unit falters because of the talent turnover, the Rams could be in for an unhappy adventure this season.
Here are the factors at play:
* Orlando Pace is AWOL. The All-Pro left tackle has nothing to gain by sitting out, since the team cannot begin negotiating a long-term contract with him until he signs the tender he received as the franchise player. The longer he sits, the less likely it is he'll get that long-term deal he covets.
The longer he sits, the more likely it is he'll struggle for a few games once the real season starts. And doomsayers must be wondering if Pace's relationship with the team will finally blow up.
If it does, Pace wouldn't be the first franchise player to miss regular-season games as part of a power play his agents orchestrate.
* Kyle Turley might be done. The standout right tackle is contemplating his future. After tweaking his surgically repaired back, Turley must decide whether he can and should continue his career.
The Rams believe he could play this season, but ultimately Turley must make that decision.
"Kyle's down in the dumps, this thing isn't as far along as he wants it to be," coach Mike Martz said. "He's very frustrated. We just have to get a conclusion medically in terms of the course of action he needs to take. We're not there yet, so I'm not going to worry about it. I understand what Kyle's going through, I feel for the guy."
Suddenly journeyman Grant Williams is hugely important to the team. He is starting in Pace's place for now, but would move over to cover for Turley should the Big O return.
So far, Williams is having a fine camp. "There's no question in my mind that we can win with Grant Williams at tackle," Martz said.
But then again, he promised that Travis Scott would start by his second year.
* Jimmy Kennedy is toast. After suffering a broken foot during a drill last Friday, the second-year defensive tackle needed surgical repair. The best-case scenario calls for a late-season return, but, given the nature of that injury, that is wishful thinking.
The Rams are resigned to playing this season without him. At the very least, Kennedy's loss will compromise the team's depth and hurt its short-yardage defense.
In the longer term, the injury will hamper the development of this important first-round draft pick.
Suddenly, journeyman Bernard Holsey is important. The Rams brought him to camp to compete for back-up work at end and tackle. Now the team is really eager to see what he can do in combat.
* Dave Wohlabaugh is hobbled. The veteran center hasn't recovered from offseason hip surgery, so he, too, is iffy for the season.
That's why the Rams talked veteran Chris Dishman out of retirement. It's too bad they didn't make the call sooner, because the big fella reported to camp at a chair-bending 375 pounds.
He is going to need some time to get in shape. Meanwhile, youngsters like guard Andy King and guard/tackle Scott Tercero get to prove they belong in the NFL. Or not.
"It falls under the category of things that you cannot control," quarterback Chris Chandler observed. "So far the guys in there, as far as I'm concerned, are doing a great job."
General manager Charley Armey should pat himself on the back for adding veteran Greg Randall to the mix – before other teams lost offensive linemen and entered the bidding.
Randall is massive (6-foot-6, 333 pounds) and he has ample experience. Perhaps he can help the team make do.
* Grant Wistrom and Brian Young left as free agents. The Rams lost two of their busiest defensive linemen during the offseason, raising the stakes during training camp.
Can rookie Anthony Hargrove harness all that athletic ability and become a disruptive right defensive end? Can Ryan Pickett and Damione Lewis both become stalwart defensive tackles in the absence of Young and Kennedy?
They'd better. There isn't a whole lot of depth on the line. If any other key players get hurt, falter or run into off-field issues (hello, Leonard Little), that whole unit could crumble.
The Rams will keep their key skill players in bubble wrap for most of the exhibition schedule. But the surviving linemen will have to play and play well, given all they must do and prove.
BY JEFF GORDON
Post-Dispatch Online Sports Columnist
08/10/2004Want a reason to pay attention when the Rams play their preseason games this summer?
Here's one: Both lines, offensive and defensive, are currently works in progress. Both units have lost key players, either temporarily or permanently.
Several unfamiliar faces have the opportunity to earn key roles for the 2004 season. So the trench battles during the four preseason games should be interesting to watch.
If both jerry-rigged units meet the challenge, the Rams will be a Super Bowl contender. If either unit falters because of the talent turnover, the Rams could be in for an unhappy adventure this season.
Here are the factors at play:
* Orlando Pace is AWOL. The All-Pro left tackle has nothing to gain by sitting out, since the team cannot begin negotiating a long-term contract with him until he signs the tender he received as the franchise player. The longer he sits, the less likely it is he'll get that long-term deal he covets.
The longer he sits, the more likely it is he'll struggle for a few games once the real season starts. And doomsayers must be wondering if Pace's relationship with the team will finally blow up.
If it does, Pace wouldn't be the first franchise player to miss regular-season games as part of a power play his agents orchestrate.
* Kyle Turley might be done. The standout right tackle is contemplating his future. After tweaking his surgically repaired back, Turley must decide whether he can and should continue his career.
The Rams believe he could play this season, but ultimately Turley must make that decision.
"Kyle's down in the dumps, this thing isn't as far along as he wants it to be," coach Mike Martz said. "He's very frustrated. We just have to get a conclusion medically in terms of the course of action he needs to take. We're not there yet, so I'm not going to worry about it. I understand what Kyle's going through, I feel for the guy."
Suddenly journeyman Grant Williams is hugely important to the team. He is starting in Pace's place for now, but would move over to cover for Turley should the Big O return.
So far, Williams is having a fine camp. "There's no question in my mind that we can win with Grant Williams at tackle," Martz said.
But then again, he promised that Travis Scott would start by his second year.
* Jimmy Kennedy is toast. After suffering a broken foot during a drill last Friday, the second-year defensive tackle needed surgical repair. The best-case scenario calls for a late-season return, but, given the nature of that injury, that is wishful thinking.
The Rams are resigned to playing this season without him. At the very least, Kennedy's loss will compromise the team's depth and hurt its short-yardage defense.
In the longer term, the injury will hamper the development of this important first-round draft pick.
Suddenly, journeyman Bernard Holsey is important. The Rams brought him to camp to compete for back-up work at end and tackle. Now the team is really eager to see what he can do in combat.
* Dave Wohlabaugh is hobbled. The veteran center hasn't recovered from offseason hip surgery, so he, too, is iffy for the season.
That's why the Rams talked veteran Chris Dishman out of retirement. It's too bad they didn't make the call sooner, because the big fella reported to camp at a chair-bending 375 pounds.
He is going to need some time to get in shape. Meanwhile, youngsters like guard Andy King and guard/tackle Scott Tercero get to prove they belong in the NFL. Or not.
"It falls under the category of things that you cannot control," quarterback Chris Chandler observed. "So far the guys in there, as far as I'm concerned, are doing a great job."
General manager Charley Armey should pat himself on the back for adding veteran Greg Randall to the mix – before other teams lost offensive linemen and entered the bidding.
Randall is massive (6-foot-6, 333 pounds) and he has ample experience. Perhaps he can help the team make do.
* Grant Wistrom and Brian Young left as free agents. The Rams lost two of their busiest defensive linemen during the offseason, raising the stakes during training camp.
Can rookie Anthony Hargrove harness all that athletic ability and become a disruptive right defensive end? Can Ryan Pickett and Damione Lewis both become stalwart defensive tackles in the absence of Young and Kennedy?
They'd better. There isn't a whole lot of depth on the line. If any other key players get hurt, falter or run into off-field issues (hello, Leonard Little), that whole unit could crumble.
The Rams will keep their key skill players in bubble wrap for most of the exhibition schedule. But the surviving linemen will have to play and play well, given all they must do and prove.
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