By Bill Coats
Of the Post-Dispatch
Sunday, Aug. 29 2004
It's been a good-news month for Rams running back Lamar Gordon.
First, he was informed that after a multitude of tests on his chronically sore
left ankle had failed to find the source of the problem, a bone chip had been
detected. Gordon, who had surgery Aug. 10, was both stunned and thrilled.
"I was like, 'Are you sure?'" he said. "Then I was thinking, 'This is it, this
is it.'"
Then, Gordon enjoyed another positive development when he woke up last
Wednesday morning, the day after he ran for the first time since the operation.
He was essentially pain-free. "That was the biggest challenge, to see how sore
I was going to be. And I'm feeling pretty good," Gordon said.
Feeling good was a luxury that Gordon hadn't experienced since he injured the
ankle while he was collecting virtually all of the major rushing records at
North Dakota State. The discomfort persisted, but doctors could detect no
damage.
Such was the case during his first two years with the Rams. He would complain,
exams would be made, nothing would show up.
Although Gordon was productive, rushing 136 times for 525 yards and catching 38
passes for 337 yards in those two seasons, coach Mike Martz acknowledged that
at times he questioned whether Gordon was tough enough for the NFL. After the
more recent diagnosis, Martz apologized profusely for doubting him.
"It was so frustrating," said Gordon, 24. "I know my body. I've been
playing football a long time, and I know when I'm sore or when something's
hurting and I can get through it. But this ... I couldn't really take it
anymore."
Gordon said that whenever he took a step, "it felt like there was something
sharp in my foot, and I wanted to get off that foot as quick as possible."
The original prognosis was that Gordon would be out a month, and he appears to
be on schedule. Martz said Gordon might be ready for the regular-season opener
Sept. 12 vs. Arizona at the Edward Jones Dome.
Whether it's that Sunday or the next, Gordon simply is enjoying being able to
move without the nagging sting in his ankle. "I was just happy that they found
it, and I'm excited to get back," he said.
Dishman may start
at left guard
When the Rams lured veteran Chris Dishman out of retirement last month, they
probably figured they merely were adding depth to the offensive line. Now it
looks as if they may have found a starter.
Dishman, 30, appears to have a solid hold on the left guard job. He played the
entire game Friday night, when the Rams beat Washington 28-3, and graded out
well.
"He was that physical force inside," Martz said. "His technique has gotten a
lot better. He was outstanding in the pass protection, and he's kind of a road
grader in the running game. ... He's going to be just an outstanding addition
for us."
Former NFL starter
fails his physical
Still seeking help on the offensive line, the Rams brought veteran tackle Blake
Brockermeyer, Carolina's first-round draft choice in 1995, to Rams Park on
Saturday. But Brockermeyer, who has played 136 NFL games (103 starts) in nine
seasons with the Panthers, Chicago and Denver, failed a physical exam. ...
After two days off, practice resumes today. The Rams (1-2) will play their
fourth, and final, exhibition game on Thursday against the Raiders (2-1) in
Oakland.
Of the Post-Dispatch
Sunday, Aug. 29 2004
It's been a good-news month for Rams running back Lamar Gordon.
First, he was informed that after a multitude of tests on his chronically sore
left ankle had failed to find the source of the problem, a bone chip had been
detected. Gordon, who had surgery Aug. 10, was both stunned and thrilled.
"I was like, 'Are you sure?'" he said. "Then I was thinking, 'This is it, this
is it.'"
Then, Gordon enjoyed another positive development when he woke up last
Wednesday morning, the day after he ran for the first time since the operation.
He was essentially pain-free. "That was the biggest challenge, to see how sore
I was going to be. And I'm feeling pretty good," Gordon said.
Feeling good was a luxury that Gordon hadn't experienced since he injured the
ankle while he was collecting virtually all of the major rushing records at
North Dakota State. The discomfort persisted, but doctors could detect no
damage.
Such was the case during his first two years with the Rams. He would complain,
exams would be made, nothing would show up.
Although Gordon was productive, rushing 136 times for 525 yards and catching 38
passes for 337 yards in those two seasons, coach Mike Martz acknowledged that
at times he questioned whether Gordon was tough enough for the NFL. After the
more recent diagnosis, Martz apologized profusely for doubting him.
"It was so frustrating," said Gordon, 24. "I know my body. I've been
playing football a long time, and I know when I'm sore or when something's
hurting and I can get through it. But this ... I couldn't really take it
anymore."
Gordon said that whenever he took a step, "it felt like there was something
sharp in my foot, and I wanted to get off that foot as quick as possible."
The original prognosis was that Gordon would be out a month, and he appears to
be on schedule. Martz said Gordon might be ready for the regular-season opener
Sept. 12 vs. Arizona at the Edward Jones Dome.
Whether it's that Sunday or the next, Gordon simply is enjoying being able to
move without the nagging sting in his ankle. "I was just happy that they found
it, and I'm excited to get back," he said.
Dishman may start
at left guard
When the Rams lured veteran Chris Dishman out of retirement last month, they
probably figured they merely were adding depth to the offensive line. Now it
looks as if they may have found a starter.
Dishman, 30, appears to have a solid hold on the left guard job. He played the
entire game Friday night, when the Rams beat Washington 28-3, and graded out
well.
"He was that physical force inside," Martz said. "His technique has gotten a
lot better. He was outstanding in the pass protection, and he's kind of a road
grader in the running game. ... He's going to be just an outstanding addition
for us."
Former NFL starter
fails his physical
Still seeking help on the offensive line, the Rams brought veteran tackle Blake
Brockermeyer, Carolina's first-round draft choice in 1995, to Rams Park on
Saturday. But Brockermeyer, who has played 136 NFL games (103 starts) in nine
seasons with the Panthers, Chicago and Denver, failed a physical exam. ...
After two days off, practice resumes today. The Rams (1-2) will play their
fourth, and final, exhibition game on Thursday against the Raiders (2-1) in
Oakland.
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