Rams News

McBurrows is ready for camp after chicken pox
������������������ 07/30/98
������������������ By Jim Thomas
������������������ Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

������������������ CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Some players will do anything to get out of two-a-days. But catching the ������������������ chicken pox wouldn't be high on Gerald McBurrows' list of preferred methods.
������������������ ``I never thought it could be as bad as it was,'' said McBurrows, the Rams' understated and ������������������ underrated fourth-year safety.
������������������ Finally healthy after a 10-day bout with the chicken pox, McBurrows joined the team for the first ������������������ time this training camp Thursday in Champaign, where the Rams are practicing with the ������������������ Indianapolis Colts for three days.
������������������ When his 2-year-old son, Gerald III, was infected with the chicken pox at preschool in St. ������������������ Charles, McBurrows knew it was only a matter of time before he caught it, too. McBurrows has ������������������ never had the pox before and had never taken a shot or vaccine to prevent the illness.
������������������ ``I was in a miserable state,'' said McBurrows, 24. ``I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I ������������������ passed the time just laying in the bed, itching. I had a really bad fever. My throat got swollen up ������������������ pretty bad. I wasn't able to eat. I lost about 12 pounds.''
������������������ He did get a lot of pampering from his fiancee, Reba. But the fact that he was missing the first ������������������ week of training camp made him as miserable as the illness. After starting 13 games in his first 2 ������������������ seasons with the Rams, McBurrows missed the last eight games of 1997 with a knee injury.
������������������ ``I was so eager to get back and show what I had,'' McBurrows said. ``I worked so hard to get ������������������ in the best shape of my life. I just worked, worked, worked. I felt comfortable. I knew the ������������������ defense. I just had my mind set on great things happening.''
������������������ And then a pox came upon him.
������������������ The illness caused McBurrows to lose much of the edge from all that offseason conditioning ������������������ work. Rams trainers are easing him back onto the field gradually. This weekend in Champaign, ������������������ he is doing nothing but sprints and weightlifting. He will return to the practice field next week ������������������ when the Rams are back in Macomb.
������������������ Backs shortage: The Rams were running low on running backs by Thursday afternoon. David ������������������ Thompson was out with a strained thigh, and Jerald Moore did very little work -- although he ������������������ dressed -- because of a sore shoulder.
������������������ When rookie Robert Holcombe went down with a strained hamstring early in the afternoon ������������������ practice, that left third-down back Amp Lee and June Henley -- a member of the practice squad ������������������ last season.
������������������ ``We've got to get a couple guys back,'' coach Dick Vermeil said. ``The thing is June Henley's ������������������ doing a good job. He's taking advantage of his opportunities, and sooner or later, somebody ������������������ that's trying to beat him out may not be able to do it.''
������������������ Rookie Raymond Priester, who the team is trying to work in at fullback, also got some work at ������������������ the halfback position.
������������������ Tight end Ernie Conwell watched in the afternoon because of a bruised neck.
������������������ ``He's very stiff,'' Vermeil said. ``I think a facemask or something got caught back there.''

ARCHIVE

HOME