Rams : Angry Dickerson Is Moved Down to the Second Team

It’s a strange sight, a double-take, watching Eric Dickerson work out with the second team. But there he was Thursday, rain on his goggles, taking an occasional carry after the first-team-for-the-moment tailback, Charles White.

Dickerson, the disgruntled one, is presumably using the backup time to clear his mind, collect his thoughts, ponder his future.

After an early-week, all-out verbal assault on anything associated with Ram horns and blue-and-gold trim, Dickerson politely turned inward Thursday, away from cameras and reporters, basically saying there is nothing left to say.

This, after another lengthy conversation with Coach John Robinson.

“You all know how I feel about it,” Dickerson said. “My feelings are that I want out, that’s it. I don’t want any more money, I just want out.”

Dickerson, who earlier had said he wanted to be held out of Monday night’s game in Cleveland, admitted that he probably would play some against the Browns.

For now, though, White appears to be the starter. Asked if he knew whether Dickerson could regain his old position by Monday, Robinson replied, “I don’t.”

Asked when he might know, he said, “We’ll make an announcement. There’s no need to deal with it now.”

Meanwhile, around the league, rumors about possible Dickerson trades were making the rounds, though few, if any, seemed to be supported by fact.

Robinson suggested that the chances of a deal involving Dickerson being made before next Tuesday’s National Football League trading deadline were remote.

“There isn’t any decision to be made other than long-term negotiations,” Robinson said of Dickerson’s financial dealings with the team. “The other is short-term, which is fulfilling his commitment.”

Robinson said he has never doubted Dickerson’s commitment to football before and isn’t ready to do so now.

“He’s been characterized as a spoiled brat,” Robinson said. “But as far as his practice field demeanor (goes), he’s done a fantastic job. His verbal thing (what he has told reporters) and what he’s done on the practice field, well, there’s a difference.”

Dickerson, in the meantime, has at least set the groundwork for his ultimate departure.

Any favorite city come to mind?

“Buffalo,” Dickerson said.

He seemed serious.

Ram Notes

The latest Ram experiment has rookie Donald Evans moving from defensive end to fullback. Evans, the team’s second-round choice and first pick last spring, failed as a pass rusher and has been stashed away on the team’s injured reserve list ever since. “I’ve been thinking about it for a long time,” Coach John Robinson said of the move. “He’s got explosive speed and power, but his lack of height hurt him at defensive end.” Evans, 6 feet 1 inch and 260 pounds, was a wing-T halfback in his first two seasons at Winston-Salem State. Ram teammates have already dubbed Evans “Refrigerator II.” Evans says Ice Tray may be more appropriate. . . . Linebacker Norwood Vann badly twisted an ankle in Thursday’s practice and will likely miss Monday night’s game. Linebacker Kevin Greene (shoulder) and running back Mike Guman (neck) are doubtful.