Ram Notebook : Darren Long to Replace Guman : Roster Move Means Collins Will Be Out for Rest of Season
Ram Coach John Robinson said Wednesday he expected later this week to activate tight end Darren Long, who would replace Mike Guman on the team’s 45-man roster. Guman was injured in Sunday’s 26-13 victory over New Orleans and underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Monday morning. He’s out for the rest of the season.
Robinson said Long, formerly of Cal State Long Beach and the Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League, would play special teams and may back up at fullback.
Long has spent the season on injured reserve. In activating Long, the Rams will have used their one free roster move to bring a player from the preseason injury list to the active roster without exposing him to league waivers.
The move confirmed that linebacker Jim Collins, out all season with nerve damage in his left shoulder, will not return to the active roster this season.
If Collins were to return this season, the Rams would have to risk clearing him through league waivers. Collins, of course, would be claimed by another team.
Robinson said he believes Collins will be back next season.
“It’s starting to come back,” Robinson said of Collins’ shoulder.
The Rams Wednesday waived veteran running back Rob Carpenter, who had been on injured reserve since Sept. 29 with a bad back. The Rams obtained Carpenter, a 10-year veteran, from the New York Giants in the off-season for a sixth-round draft choice.
“Carpenter is hurt,” Rams Coach John Robinson said.
Carpenter played mostly on special teams for the Rams.
Television sports analyst Paul Maguire predicted last weekend that the 10-1 Jets, the Rams’ opponent Sunday, would not win another game this season.
The Jets made Maguire look good in Monday night’s 45-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Maguire’s comments shook some Jets fans, but not the players.
“We don’t pay attention to stuff like that,” Jets receiver Al Toon said Wednesday. “We’re the only ones who can win games.”
More on Toon: Though only his second NFL season out of Wisconsin, Toon is suddenly the rage of the league. He’s second in the NFL in receptions with 70 for 988 yards and almost certainly will become the first Jet since Wesley Walker in 1978 to gain more than 1,000 receiving yards.
Toon is big (6-feet 4-inches) and fast and has great hands. Robinson is comparing him to Green Bay’s James Lofton and Jerry Rice of San Francisco.
“He’s a prototype,” Robinson said of Toon. “With guys like he and Rice, you say ‘Wow, that’s the kind of wide receiver everyone’s going to have to cover.’ ”
Toon said he doesn’t emulate any receiver.
“I never had an idol,” Toon said. “I don’t study other receivers. All receivers have their own qualities and character.”
Ram Notes Rams safety Nolan Cromwell was named the NFC’s defensive player of the week. Cromwell had two interceptions and forced a fumble in last week’s 26-13 win over New Orleans. . . . Safety Tim Fox (thigh) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets while guard Dennis Harrah (chest), tackle Irv Pankey (thigh) and Greg Meisner (shin) are all probable. . . . The Jets’ 45-3 loss to Miami Monday night was their most lopsided defeat since a 56-3 beating from New England in 1979.
