Ram Camp : Key Rookies Holding Out as Workouts Begin : Most of the 43 Players Who Showed for Practice Are Just Passing Through
There probably weren’t more than a half dozen players on the field with a chance of making the final 45-man roster, but the Rams officially opened training camp Monday at Rams Park.
Quarterbacks Dieter Brock and Steve Dils threw passes to some of the players at the workout, which only free agents and rookies are required to attend. After six days of practice at the Rams’ Anaheim facility, camp will move Monday to Cal State Fullerton. Veterans don’t have to report until July 26, however.
A few veterans, such as Charles White, Tony Slaton, Kevin Greene, Duval Love and Jim Laughlin also attended, but that wasn’t enough to put a smile on the face of Coach John Robinson, who was less than pleased with the turnout.
Forty-three players suited up, but conspicuously absent were the Rams’ first three draft picks, Mike Schad, Tom Newberry and Hugh Millen, who haven’t agreed to contract terms.
“I’m certainly disappointed,” Robinson said. “This week is designed for the new players and every day they miss, they fall behind. It’s a negative for them and ultimately for the team, too.”
Only three of the Rams’ 11 draft choices--No. 6 Lynn Williams (running back, Kansas), No. 8 Hank Goebel (tackle, Cal State Fullerton) and No. 11 Chul Schwanke (running back, South Dakota)--have signed.
When asked the status of some of the others, Robinson said, “I refuse to spend my time worrying if a guy is an inch or a mile away (from signing). I’ve got coaching to do.”
Even Robinson would have to admit that most of the coaching he’ll be doing this week will be for naught.
“Most of these guys, unfortunately, will have to be cut,” he said. “I hate to dwell on it because it can be depressing for these guys. And you just never know. Injuries can change a club dramatically.”
Robinson thinks Millen, a quarterback from the University of Washington, will suffer the most if he misses the whole week.
“This would be a very valuable time for Hugh,” Robinson said. “He would have been starting quarterback all week. Once the veterans show up, he’ll get very little work.”
Somebody has to hand off and throw passes this week so Millen’s absence means that veterans Brock, Dils and Steve Bartkowski will be busier than usual.
Brock, whose position as No. 1 quarterback has been the subject of much debate, says he is not going to worry about last season and will concentrate on earning the starting quarterback job this summer.
“I’ve taken my share of criticism and now I’m looking to the future,” he said. “I’d been away from the U.S. style of football for 11 years, so last year was a real learning experience for me.”
He obviously doesn’t think he has a lock on the No. 1 spot, either.
“I think there is competition at the quarterback position,” Brock said, “and that’s what it’s all about.”
Robinson said he expected running back Barry Redden, who failed to report to the club’s May mini-camp, to be in training camp when the veterans are required to report.
Robinson said that he had talked with Redden and the matter should be resolved in a few days.
Ram Notes
Eric Dickerson will be on the cover of the 1986 Ram media guide. It will be the first time in 40 years that a player has been so honored. . . . Rookie receiver Chuck Scott, who injured his shoulder in training camp last season and spent the year on the injured reserve list, is back with a healthy shoulder, and maybe more important, a healthy attitude. “Last year, I was really uptight,” he said. “I was expecting to make every play and when I didn’t, I got really down on myself. Then everything started to go downhill. It went straight to my hands. The shoulder injury may have been the best thing that happened. I’ve had a year to mature and now I’m starting over so I’m gonna have fun and just do the best I can do.” . . . Former USC running back Todd Spencer was signed as a free agent. Spencer played seven games for Pittsburgh in 1984 before injuring his knee. . . . The Rams are trying to change a July 31 scrimmage with the San Diego Chargers from Cal State Fullerton to that night at Anaheim Stadium. Admission is free. . . . Coach John Robinson said that he expects cornerback Jerry Gray and free agent Alfred Jackson to arrive in camp later this week.