Draft Sends a Message to Veteran
The Rams lowered the boom on Cleveland Gary with the acquisition of two running backs in Sunday’s draft, but a few weeks ago they offered a hint of what was to come.
It’s been learned the Rams urged Gary to get an offer sheet from another team before the April 23rd deadline to sign restricted free agents, and in an effort to find him employment elsewhere, they agreed to lower their compensation demands.
If another team had tendered Gary an offer, the Rams would have been entitled to a first- and third-round selection in this year’s draft. The Rams, however, told Gary’s representative they would demand only a second-round pick if another team agreed to take him.
Gary, however, failed to secure such an offer, and although he remains unsigned, he cannot go elsewhere now unless he signs a contract with the Rams and then is traded.
The Rams made it clear Sunday, the first day of the NFL draft, that Gary is no longer the main man in their running game. The team selected Notre Dame fullback Jerome Bettis with its first pick, and then took California running back Russell White in the third round.
“I don’t know why we would draft two running backs in the first three rounds,” Gary said. “It doesn’t concern me and I’m not bitter about it.
“They do what they do for their own reasons. I have a lot of respect for Coach (Chuck) Knox and a lot of respect for everyone there. I don’t think an individual should ever be affected by a decision he has no control over. If I don’t fit in with the Rams, I respect the Rams, and I think they ought to respect me and be honest with me.”
Gary said if the Rams intend to trade him he would like them to let him know.
“I think I deserve that consideration,” he said. “It doesn’t really matter to me where I go. I will say this, as much as I respect the organization, I do not want to be there if they do not want me there. It’s just good business, if they say they got Russell and Jerome, and ‘Cleve, we want to trade you,’ that’s fine. I just want them to be upfront with me.”
Gary ran 279 times for 1,125 yards last season and scored seven touchdowns. He also led the team in receptions with 52 for 293 yards and three touchdowns. However, he continued to have problems holding onto the ball, and the team believes it will have a difficult time meeting his contract demands.
“I do feel at this point unappreciated for the things that I have done,” Gary said. “I feel like nobody harped on anything positive. It was always negative, and if that’s the way it’s going to be and I don’t fit in there, then I would just appreciate them being honest with me, so that I can get my little grip bag and keep walking.”
