Rams Start Camp Without Seven Draftees
The team with Super Bowl aspirations had a less than super turnout for the opening of training camp Sunday, as only three Ram draft choices reported on schedule at Cal State Fullerton.
The remaining seven, including second-round choice Donald Evans and third-round pick Clifford Hicks, have yet to sign contracts.
Others who are officially labeled holdouts include fourth-round linebackers Doug Bartlett and Larry Kelm, fifth-round defensive lineman Scott Mersereau, sixth-round tight end Jon Embree and 10th-round linebacker David Smith.
The Rams start practice this morning with 43 free-agents and three draft picks; 12th-round choices Alonzo Williams (running back) and Fred Stokes (defensive end) and eighth-round pick Michael Stewart (safety).
Coach John Robinson has said that prolonged holdouts by draft choices could have devastating effects.
“This first week is crucial,” Robinson said. “If our season is successful, we’ll look back and say, man, a lot of those kids really did come through.”
The key figure missing of course is Evans, the rookie from Winston-Salem State, who is expected to shore up the team’s defensive pass rush.
Robinson said before camp opened that Evans’ season would be lost if he missed more than than a week of camp. Evans, a raw physical talent, played only two seasons at defensive end in college.
“If he’s here and makes the progress we expect, he will be the starting right end in our nickel defense when we play Denver (Aug. 9),” Robinson said.
Evans remains at home in North Carolina, waiting for his contract problems to be resolved.
Ram veterans are scheduled to report on July 26, though 10 roster players still remain unsigned.
