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62 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, August 3, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 29, 2004 McGrorty begins training camp with Rams By JENNIFER SQUIRES for the Mail Tribune Former Southern Oregon University running back Dusty McGrorty began training camp with the St. Louis Rams Wednesday at Western Illinois University in Macomb. McGrorty has spent the majority of the summer working out with the NFL team, including lasting through a rookie conditioning camp where one-third of the 30 players were cut. Three or four rounds of cuts are set to occur before the season gets under way. "My goals going in — I'm just going to go in there and do the best I can," McGrorty said prior to the first practice. "If it works out, it works out. If not, I have no regrets." The three-time All-American set 10 school records and eight regional records at SOU before being drafted by the Rams this spring. Over the summer, he has switched from tailback to fullback in order to find a niche with the Rams. Advertisement Going into training camp, McGrorty is third on the depth chart at fullback. "I feel pretty confident," McGrorty said. "As long as I know my plays and I don't screw up, I feel pretty confident." McGrorty has been injury-free all summer "I feel in pretty good shape and everything," he said. "I just don't want to let anyone from home down." This week, SOU head football coach Jeff Olson will make the trip back east to watch the former Warrenton High prep star at camp. "Coach flying out, that means a lot to me," McGrorty said. "I've been looking forward to that." Camp runs through Aug. 20 and will be highlighted by a three-day practice session with the Chicago Bears. The Rams' first preseason game will be against the Bears on Aug. 17 in St. Louis. Regular-season play begins Sept. 12 against Arizona. Two other former Raiders are also in NFL training camps this week. Wide receiver Andrae Thurman, who was initially picked up by the New York Giants, was released earlier in the summer. He’s now working out with the Houston Texans. Steve Baker, who led the NAIA punting average in 2003, is with the Oakland Raiders. Jennifer Squires is a sports reporter for the Ashland Daily Tidings. Reach her at 482-3456. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times