But put the two NFL musclemen together at Salisbury’s Gold’s Gym and they’re like a couple of third-graders.

“John Milem is a welcher who doesn’t pay off his bets,” announces Morton to anyone who will listen. “I’d really like to see that fact reported in a newspaper.”

“Am not,” says Milem, as he effortlessly hoists 350 pounds.

“Are too,” retorts Morton, his spotter.

At least no one sticks his tongue out at his workout companion.

The wager in question concerns the wild 31-28 victory last season by Morton’s Green Bay Packers over Milem’s San Francisco 49ers.

“We beat him, so John’s supposed to wear a Packer hat until he beats me,” says Morton, pointing at Milem’s large head, which is covered by a cap, but not a green and gold one.

Milem quickly changes the subject to the victory by his old high school (West Rowan) over Morton’s alma mater (A.L. Brown) last October.

“It wasn’t like we played in that one, John,” laughs Morton. “You’re 0-fer against me. That’s right, 0-fer!”

Despite the brutal verbal busting these guys give one another, don’t get the idea that they’re not the best of friends.

Actually, Morton played a role in Milem’s getting a shot at the NFL in the first place. Morton introduced Milem to his agent, Joe Linta, who orchestrated the tryout camps that got Milem’s name on draft lists.

“Nah, I didn’t help out that much,” says Morton modestly. “It was John that did all the work.”

Speaking of work, that’s what both men will be doing all summer.

The NFL has changed from the days of Billy Ray Barnes. Salaries have reached the point where players no longer have to sell cars or tend bar in the offseason to make ends meet. But, at the same time, if people like Milem and Morton hope to keep pulling in paychecks worth hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, they have to stay in peak condition. The NFL’s a 365-day commitment now. It’s a job with huge rewards, but one that demands huge sacrifices in terms of sweat.

That’s something Morton constantly reminds Milem of. Morton’s been there, done that.

Morton’s an old hand now. A rugged linebacker, he’s survived back surgery and six seasons in the big-time since being drafted by the Oakland Raiders out of UNC.

The son of a highway patrolman earned a Super Bowl ring two years ago when he paced the St. Louis Rams in special teams tackles. Yet, he’s become something of a vagabond in the league. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts as a free agent a couple of weeks ago, feeling they were the best fit — a 2000 playoff team with legit Super Bowl aspirations, but also a team whose defense is in dire need of help.

“That’ll be your fourth team, won’t it?” someone asks.

“Shhhh,” says Morton, playfully raising a finger to his lips. “That would mean I’ve become a journeyman. Let’s just say … I’m a seasoned veteran.”

Morton stays employed in the NFL because he usually adds just the right seasoning to a team. He’s experienced (17 starts and 87 games played) and versatile.

“I can play all three linebacker spots,” he explains. “I can fill in anywhere, plus I’m a real good special teams player. One coach told me that I was the perfect insurance policy.”

Morton’s biggest asset remains his intelligence. He’ll know the defensive scheme perfectly on Sunday, even without a lot of practice reps. If a starter goes down, he’ll step in and his team won’t miss a beat.

Morton is not sort of smart — he’s real smart. He finished at the top of his class at A.L. Brown in 1990 and actually attended UNC on a Morehead scholarship. He’s always contemplated med school after his playing days were done, but says those plans aren’t etched in stone.

“It all depends on how long I can last,” he says. “This will be my seventh year. My goal has always been 10 years in the league. If I can last 10, I don’t know about med school. I’m not sure that would be fair to my wife.”

Morton has no kids yet, but says three years from now, he hopes to have a couple of little mouths to feed.

“Thank goodness there’s no pressure on us right now,” he grins. “My sister’s having twins in October.”

As you can gather from his comments, it hasn’t hurt Morton’s longevity that he’s a good guy to have in a locker room and as a representative in the community. And in a league that makes daily contributions to the police blotter, it’s nice having a guy who’s a positive influence on those rowdy rookies.

Morton practices being a positive influence by working on the mental aspects of the game with Milem —

You can already see the difference in Milem’s confidence level from last season. The second-year giant projects as a starter at defensive end and walks and talks like he’s up to the challenge. Milem says the new divisional setup for 2002 is going to aid the 49ers (6-10 last season), who traveled 37,000 miles in 2000 — by far the most in the NFL.

“We’ll take a few more lumps this year, because we’ll still be young, but soon we’re going to start dishing it out,” said Milem. “Individually, this should be a good year for me. All that stuff about being the rookie from little Lenoir Rhyne is behind me. Being a rookie’s tough — doing silly sack dances and buying food for everybody. But I learned. Now I’m relaxed. I know the defense, know the coaches, know the people.”

Morton says Milem’s ready. Morton was once a starter in the league (he had two interceptions in ‘96) and is convinced his Superman-strong buddy has what it takes to be a regular.

“John’s got the size and he’s learned so much,” said Morton. “He’s figured out brute force alone won’t work in a league where everyone’s big.”

Morton and Milem say they’ve been well received at every conditioning stop they’ve made this summer.

“People have opened their doors to us,” said Morton. “Gold’s Gym. Stewart’s Physical Therapy. (Wonder assistant) Todd Hagler’s prepared workouts for us and A.L. Brown’s let us use their weightroom. I mean, it’s not like people have to do those things.”

But people want to. Everyone wants to help these two stay on top. Everyone’s proud to say they know guys who play in the NFL.

And Morton might even admit he was proud of Milem, if Big John would just put that Green Bay hat on his head.

“You’re a welcher,” says Morton, firing a weighted ball at Milem’s abdominals.

“Am not,” says Milem.

“Are too.”

You get the idea. Thank goodness the Colts and 49ers don’t face each other this season.

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