RAMS : Robinson Still Stockpiling Quarterbacks

Quarterback Mark Herrmann said Tuesday he was “shocked” when he learned that the Rams had acquired Detroit quarterback Chuck Long. Imagine what he’ll say when he finds out the team has signed yet another quarterback.

Pending league approval today, Rick Johnson, a five-year veteran of the Canadian Football League, will be another candidate for the Rams’ backup quarterback spot . . . or spots.

While with Calgary in 1986, Johnson led the league in passing yardage (4,379) and touchdowns (31), but he threw for just 3,221 yards and 18 touchdowns in his other four seasons combined.

If the Rams decide to keep just two quarterbacks again this season and Herrmann ends up losing his job, at least he won’t have to look back with any regrets. No one can say he blew his chances.

In San Diego, he was supposed to be the heir apparent to Dan Fouts. He started four games in 1985 and passed for more than 300 yards in three of them. But a month after Fouts retired in March, 1988, the Chargers traded Herrmann to Indianapolis.

The Rams signed him later that summer after he was released by the Colts. In the seven games the Rams have asked him to step in for Jim Everett, Herrmann has completed eight of 10 passes for 97 yards.

“It’s a little disappointing,” he said. “I’ve been around this game long enough to know that the younger guy usually gets a better look in these kinds of situations.”

Herrmann is 31. Long, who is in Detroit where his wife gave birth to the couple’s second child Monday, is 27. Johnson is 29.

Ram Coach John Robinson insists age is not a factor in this case, though. And he says he will give a great deal of consideration to carrying three quarterbacks in 1990.

“A lot of it comes down to a look at how the total squad shapes up, of course, but there’s a definite possibility of going with three,” Robinson said.

Herrmann certainly wouldn’t be demanding a trade if that scenario were to pan out. But just in case it comes down to a one-or-the-other situation, he’s hoping his knowledge of the Ram offense and his relative youth--in terms of wear and tear, anyway--will work in his favor.

“I’d like to think I’m a young 10-year guy,” said Herrmann, who has played in just 30 games since coming into the league with Denver in 1981. “I still think I can play and when I’ve been called upon, I’ve done the job for this team.”

Defensive tackle Doug Reed tested his injured ankle Tuesday, going beyond some light jogging for the first time since he went on the injured reserve list Dec. 6 last year.

Reed, who was happy with the way the ankle responded, is not signed and is therefore a voluntary participant in the Rams’ four-day mini-camp that runs through Thursday.

“I came to camp to see for myself if I can still do it,” said Reed, who originally injured the ankle in a game against Phoenix on Nov. 19. “Yesterday, I didn’t really do anything, but I just had to see if I could still do it, you know, hit the bags and turn on it hard and stuff. I found out I can still do it.

“I just wanted to get over that mental part where you question it and get to the point where you can just go and not even think about it.”

Reed, in his eighth year, had started 39 consecutive games before being placed on injured reserve.