Brock Denies Report That He’s Considering Retirement

Reports of Dieter Brock’s retirement are premature. At least they are as far as he’s concerned.

According to a wire service report Tuesday, the Ram quarterback said he would “drop out” if the chronic back problems he has suffered in the past year keep recurring.

However, after a Tuesday afternoon workout at Cal State Fullerton during which he appeared to throw the ball very well, Brock seemed confused by questions about the story.

“I talked to one guy from Calgary and I never mentioned anything about retiring,” he said. “I don’t know what he wrote, but those guys in Canada are as crazy as you guys.

“I’m fine right now. I think it (his back) is coming along pretty good. My arm feels good, but there’s always a little stiffness in my back.”

Brock threw to rookies and free agents on the opening day of camp last week, then woke up with a stiff back the next day and was forced to take the rest of the week off.

“It was pretty stiff then,” he admitted. “It was with me most of last year and during the off-season, but it’s not to the point I can’t perform. Usually it takes about 15 minutes of stretching exercises in the morning to loosen it up.”

“If I was considering retirement, I wouldn’t be here.”

Brock has a deteriorated disc in the lower back that pinches nerves and causes discomfort.

“It’s usually more stiff than painful,” he said. “It will always be there, but it would have to get real bad before I’d retire.”

Coach John Robinson said he is confident running back Barry Redden, who skipped the club’s May mini-camp, will be in camp Saturday when all veterans must report.

“He’s going to play and we’re going to attempt to relocate him on the East Coast, which is his desire,” Robinson said. “He’s been frustrated that he hasn’t carried the ball enough, but he’s aware that we plan to use two backs this year.

“I think it’s reasonable for adults to talk about a change like this. Of course, it (a trade) would have to be to our best interests, too.”

Robinson indicated such a trade might take a year, or even more, to accomplish. He didn’t seem worried about Redden’s attitude in the meantime.

“I’m thoroughly convinced he’ll play hard,” Robinson said. “It’s just not in his makeup to do anything else.”