Dickerson Through Discussing SMU

Running back Eric Dickerson, back in town to attend the start of the Ram minicamp, said Monday that he’s through talking about his scandal-plagued alma mater, Southern Methodist University.

In a speech before the Boys Town Athletic Boosters in Nebraska last Thursday, Dickerson said publicly for the first time that he received money while attending SMU.

Dickerson did not deny the comments Monday at Rams Park.

“If I needed $5 or $10, yeah, they’d give it to me,” Dickerson said.

But he declined further comment and added that he had no intentions of relaying any information to the NCAA’s infractions committee.

“What is the NCAA going to do to me?” Dickerson asked. “I’m not going to ruin someone else’s career. I’m not going to say anything to the NCAA.”

SMU received the so-called death penalty in February for violating NCAA rules while already on probation. The Mustangs’ football program was banned from playing in 1987, and the school has since decided to discontinue the program until 1989.

Dickerson was one of several Ram veterans in town for this week’s four-day minicamp. But there were several no-shows, including Coach John Robinson, who was in Colorado Springs representing the NFL at a meeting of the NCAA Professional Sports Liaison Committee.

Also not attending were unsigned free agents Henry Ellard, Barry Redden, Vince Newsome and Mike Wilcher.

Ram Notes

Ram backup quarterback Steve Dils is expected to sign a two-year contract today. Details are being completed on a new four-year contract for safety Johnnie Johnson. . . . Tight end David Hill was excused from Monday’s practice to attend his own charity golf tournament. Rookie draft choices Larry Kelm (Texas A&M;) and Scott Mersereau (Southern Connecticut) were away to attend graduation ceremonies. . . . Second-round choice Donald Evans (Winston-Salem State) is expected in town late Tuesday evening. He was excused from camp after the death of his mother earlier this month.