Rams : Injuries, Holdouts Limit Options for Robinson

Holdouts, headaches and heartaches. Is it a training camp or a country song? Rams Coach John Robinson wonders as he starts a new week with a truckload of worries on his mind.

Take Monday’s changing of the guards, for instance. Robert Sledge, a free agent who apparently had seen enough, walked out of camp early in the day. Two temporary starters, Tony Slaton and Warren Wheat, were nicked in Saturday’s game and needed the day off.

Tom Newberry, the Pro Bowl left guard, is just now returning from a serious hamstring pull, so rushing him to practice was the last thing Robinson wanted to do. But a day’s events left him with only one healthy guard, free agent Mark Schmidt.

A coach laments.

“We were severely limited at tight end, and now we’re severely limited at guard,” Robinson said. “We’re severely limited at running back.

“It’s one of the realities if you cut to 80 (the new roster limit) and then you have any number of holdouts.

“We’re forced into some other kind of problems. Tom (Newberry) will be able to do some things, but I’m still going to be very cautious. We can move (free agent) Rod Lassow over (to guard), then that gives us only one center.”

Though he tries, Robinson can’t help but think of his holdouts--tight end Damone Johnson, tailback Greg Bell and offensive linemen Robert Cox and Duval Love--and two unsigned first-round choices, defensive end Bill Hawkins and fullback Cleveland Gary.

“One of my main goals in life is to spend no time talking about people who aren’t here, for the rest of my life,” Robinson said. “It doesn’t make sense, the guy’s out. I hate giving them space in the paper.”

But what’s a coach to do as he tries to round up enough players for practice? Trying not to play favorites, Robinson concedes a holdout equally hurts organization and player.

“The only guy that’s not hurt ultimately is the agent,” he said. “The more agony they have, probably the better off it is. It’s like attorneys. Let it go to trial, make more money.”

No case is more firmly divided than management vs. Cleveland Gary. The table has been set for a signing. Every player around Gary in the late first round has come to terms, for deals ranging from about $450,000 to $500,000 per year.

Gary, who’s represented by his uncle, Willie Gary, is asking twice that amount--$4 million for four years, including a $1.5-million signing bonus.

He admitted Monday that that those numbers are negotiable.

“We realize we may have to accept less than $4 million,” Willie Gary said. “As soon as they get down to serious business, we can get it done.”

The two parties haven’t spoken in weeks, he says, because he was originally insulted by the Rams’ offer of $1.1 million over four years. Gary countered with his $4 million and said he’s never even received a response.

“I’m willing to negotiate,” he said. “But the Rams have to realize they have to pay a hell of a lot more money for Cleveland.”

So why is his nephew, a former star at Miami, worth more than players picked ahead of him in the first round?

“I think you get three ballplayers in one,” said Gary, explaining his nephew’s talents as a runner, blocker and receiver.

To be sure, Cleveland was disappointed to last until the 26th pick, and is reluctant to sign before any of the other running backs in the round, particularly Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders, the third overall pick who went to Detroit.

Ram Notes

Receiver Aaron Cox (hamstring) might be back for Thursday’s practice, though Coach John Robinson isn’t holding his breath. “To me, he’s gone,” he said. “It drives you crazy, you’re wondering every day. I’m trying to plan a practice. You say these guys are out until they show up.” Former Ram defensive backs Gary Green and Eric Harris were visitors to afternoon practice. . . . Cornerback Darryl Henley (ankle) is due back Thursday. Henry Ellard (back) is expected back Wednesday. Gaston Green missed Monday’s practice with a thigh bruise. Guards Tony Slaton (knee), Warren Wheat (neck) and David Diaz-Infante (ankle) are day to day. Defensive end Mike Piel is out for a week with bruised ribs.