Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 18, 1995 TAG: 9507180067
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS AND STAFF REPORTS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Even quarterback Mark Rypien, once a Super Bowl MVP with the Washington Redskins, is caught up in the excitement of the Rams' move from Los Angeles to St.Louis, where 74,000 applications for personal seat licenses were taken for 46,000 seats in the new domed stadium scheduled to open next season.
``For some of these guys that have been in this organization for years, to be in a place where they're wanted is the most important thing,'' said Rypien, who likely will back up projected starter Chris Miller. ``I know what it's like to be wanted.
``I've heard nothing but good things from people. They've opened their arms to us.''
Rypien was especially enthusiastic about the prospect of a new town, a new team, a fresh start.
``Gosh, this is an exciting moment for every Ram that has been a past Ram and every Ram that will be a future Ram,'' Rypien said. ``I think you've got to seize this moment and take advantage of it.''
As training camp opens today in San Diego, head coach Bobby Ross, a VMI alumnus, will be watching to make sure the Chargers aren't too full of themselves over their success in 1994, when they won the AFC championship to reach their first Super Bowl.
It was a dream season, all right, up until the final 60 minutes. The Chargers were embarrassed 49-26 in the Super Bowl by the San Francisco 49ers.
``I think the biggest thing will be everybody being here and everybody being in good shape when you start the season,'' Ross said. ``If that isn't happening, then that is going to be a sign [of complacency]. Secondly, is how hard we're going to work. But up to this point, there hasn't been anything that would be a red flag to me to say that that's a problem.''
The Chargers suffered a big loss in June when outside linebacker David Griggs, a former Virginia athlete, was killed in a car crash in Florida. Third-year pro Lewis Bush, who would have competed with Griggs for the job, moves into that spot.
Steve Emtman is a free agent after clearing waivers, but the Indianapolis Colts are interested in the former No.1 pick they released during the weekend.
The Colts waived Emtman to remain under the NFL's salary cap. He was to count more than $3 million toward the cap this year, including $2 million in salary.
Emtman, the No. 1 pick in the 1992 draft, had been paid $7 million by the Colts since signing his contract in 1992. The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder had played in only 18 of 48 games because of injuries. Carolina, Seattle and Miami also have expressed interest in signing Emtman.
Miami Dolphins training camp opened for rookies, but all the veterans showed up, too, including running back Terry Kirby, the former Virginia standout who missed most of the 1994 season with an injury to his right knee.
Kirby is not ready for regular workouts, but he ran three sprints - and finished with time to spare.
``I made all three of them,'' said Kirby, adding he had done it for himself, not at the urging of coaches. But, ``oh, it hurt. It definitely hurt.''
Dolphins coach Don Shula hopes Kirby and fellow back Keith Byars will be able to return from right knee surgery in time for the regular season. Kirby is much further along in his rehab, while Byars is questionable for the Sept.3 opener against the New York Jets.
The only aberration to an otherwise serious day of practice for the Dallas Cowboys occurred in the morning when a woman ran onto the practice field and tried to approach quarterback Troy Aikman. Irving, Texas, police arrested Linda Oxley, 42, of Fort Worth on a charge of misdemeanor trespassing.
``It caught me by surprise,'' said Aikman, who was running a series of 110-yard sprints. ``We all run across different kinds of people. They might be harmless, but you try to take it seriously.''
Emmitt Smith, who witnessed the event, said players never know when another event paralleling the on-court stabbing of tennis star Monica Seles might take place.
Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin took a lighter viewpoint.
``When you've got $50 million,'' said Irvin, referring to Aikman's large contract, ``some women put on their track shoes.''
Tony Boselli, selected second overall in the NFL draft by the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars, injured his left knee during training camp.
The 6-foot-7, 323-pound offensive tackle went down during a one-on-one drill against defensive lineman Jeff Lageman, a former UVa standout. Boselli, 23, was taken from the field on a cart, and team officials were awaiting the results of an MRI test to determine the extent of the injury.
Former Liberty University football player Sebastian Barrie, a defensive tackle, signed a contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
by CNB