Training-camp trauma didn’t take toll on Greco

By John Bassetti

St. Louis Rams

The 2003 Boardman graduate expects to see considerable action when the Rams play the Titans on Saturday.

111Not that the 6-foot-5, 314-pounder was too big, physically, but anticipating the first-time experience was unsettling.

“It was a little bit of a shock because I’d seen all these guys on TV,” the former Boardman High player said. “But, after a few days of that, I thought, ‘OK, I’m supposed to be here and they’re treating me as just another player on the team and everyone’s trying to win.’ So it’s either I’m going to be here to help them or I’m not.”

After a couple weeks in training camp at Concordia University in Minnesota, the third-round NFL draftee is rolling along with the Rams as they prepare for their first preseason game in Tennessee Saturday.

The former University of Toledo product is practicing at both right guard and right tackle on an offensive line that includes Pro Bowler Orlando Pace at left tackle.

Greco is part of a group behind veterans Alex Barron and Mark Setterstrom at right tackle and right guard, respectively.

“I’m just doing what the coaches are asking me to do, so I’d be a valuable guy able to step in at either position,” said Greco, who has progressed satisfactorily despite the fierce competition.

“We install plays and take one thing at a time,” he said. “After watching film, there will be ups and downs, but you’ve just got to have more ups than downs. When things aren’t going my way, I try to remind myself that I can’t dwell on it, rather, keep pushing forward.”

He said the adjustment to the pros is twofold:

“It’s different from college because it’s basically learning a new language from the playbook,” said Greco. “Then you have to go in there and go against some of the best athletes in the world. So you’ve got to be both physically and mentally at the top of your game. We have long days and they ask a lot from us, but it’s only going to make us mentally tougher and prepare us for the season.”

Greco, who played right tackle his first season at Toledo then left tackle his last three years, is wearing the same number he had in college: 79.

Greco, who played at Boardman for Garry Smith, thinks he’s adjusted well, so far, to the switch in sides and the additional role.

“If you know the tackle position, you basically know the guard because you’re working with them half the time,” he said. “That makes it a little bit easier to learn the plays.”

Scott Linehan is the Rams’ third-year head coach, and Greco’s position coach is Steve Loney.

“He’s helpful with technique and when we’re watching film,” Greco said of Loney. “If you make a mistake, he doesn’t act like it’s the end of the world, he just wants to correct it.”

Prior to training camp, Greco expected the worst.

“Over the summer, I did my best to stay in shape and get myself mentally ready,” he said. “When I got here, the first day or two were tough and the first two-a-days were tough. Then you get into a schedule or a cycle and you’ve just got to push ahead. Each day you’ve got to get your mind focused on doing it hard. You get time to rest, but when we’re out on the field and we get asked to do something, we’ve got to do it 100 percent.”

Greco quickly learned that there’s an overlapping dichotomy in the professional game.

“Every player loves the game and wants to win, but you’ve got to remember that it’s a job. ‘It’s me or someone else’ — you’ve got to keep that in mind. Someone’s always out to get your job, so you’ve got to come to work each day with that mind-set.”

That’s why progress is the best gauge of training camp.

“Players have a good foundation before getting here, so you just try to fine-tune everything. When we’re watching film, we’re looking at specific things and trying to perfect technique to be 100 percent on assignments.”

For the Titans game, Greco says he should see considerable action.

“I’d imagine I’ll see a good amount of time because they want to keep the starters healthy, yet get their rhythm down.”

Greco, whose roommate is Russ Weil, a free-agent fullback from Illinois, was asked if he’s been involved in one of those classic training-camp fights among linemen.

“No, nothing like that. Fighting just makes you more tired,” he laughed.

bassetti@vindy.com