Green in Running for More Playing Time : Rams: Robinson says it’s a three-man race at tailback and former UCLA star feels confident.

Feeling the crunch of two wasted seasons and an off-season of trade rumors, Gaston Green reported to the Rams’ training camp this week and was told he has a legitimate shot at salvaging his career and the team’s recent reputation with first-round draft choices.

Then he was sold some swampland in Florida, right?

Wrong.

Although most observers have projected Green as a distant third behind Curt Warner and Cleveland Gary in this summer’s heated tailback race, Coach John Robinson said this week that’s simply not the case.

“I just told the players that we’re looking for the three of them to compete in training camp,” Robinson said. “There’s no one that’s the starter. They’re all three competing. The starter comes from the man who emerges from that group.”

Green, of course, has heard it before, but he enters his third NFL season with only 61 career carries for 190 yards and no touchdowns.

For some reason, Green likes his chances better this summer.

“I feel that I’m going to get a fair shot,” he said. “And all I need is the opportunity to play.”

Green, the 14th selection overall in the 1988 draft and the first running back taken, has had few opportunities thus far. Through it all, Robinson has defended him, complimented him, worked with him. He’s done everything but play him.

In his rookie season, the former UCLA star was squeezed out of the picture by Greg Bell and Charles White. In 1989, the Rams drafted another back, Gary. This spring, they traded Bell to the Raiders but signed free agent Warner.

Not exactly votes of confidence.

So what has changed about Green and the Rams’ offense? For one, Robinson said one tailback will not dominate his game plans anymore. In other words, the losers in this summer’s tailback competition will not necessarily go directly to the sideline.

“I do plan to share the job,” Robinson said. “So there won’t be one person that emerges who has 90% of the carries and one that has 10%. I don’t want to do that. I won’t do that.”

If all three backs are even at summer’s end, all will play. At least, that’s the company line in July.

“If two are good, and one’s not, the one that’s not is out,” Robinson admitted. “If three are good, then we’ll try to play them. I don’t have a solution. I can’t give you a solution to how it’s going to end. But I think maybe we’ve created the impression that Gaston is not going to get an equal opportunity, and that’s not true. That will not happen.”

As a runner, Green has always had straight-ahead speed. His problems in the NFL have been durability, running inside and a lack of open-field moves.

Green, perhaps surprisingly, has not expressed a great desire to be traded, though it’s doubtful the Rams could get enough in return to match the embarrassment of unloading such a high draft choice after only two seasons.

Robinson has said from the beginning that Green, 24, must be allowed time to grow into his body. And while Green said he has not added any weight to his 192-pound frame, he has added muscle through weightlifting.

“He’s just a different-looking person,” Robinson said. “He’s thicker, stronger and more ready for the competition. I think he will look forward to the competition.”

Green said it’s easier dealing with the critics because he has not even been allowed the chance to succeed or fail.

“In the past, if I’d have had the opportunity to do anything, then I’d feel pressure,” he said. “But since it’s just a matter of me getting the chance of getting out there to play, there’s no pressure. I do think it’s going to be a good fight, because we all want to play.”

Ram Notes

Punter Hank Ilesic, a Canadian citizen, is having trouble getting out of Montreal to training camp. He was turned back at the border Monday because he didn’t have the proper papers. Then, he was turned away because he didn’t have a round-trip ticket, a requirement when leaving Canada. When Ilesic does get here, he will begin his competition with rookie Kent Elmore for the team’s punting position. . . . Other veterans who have joined workouts this week include wide receiver Aaron Cox, tight end Pat Carter and cornerback Darryl Henley. . . . Gaston Green left camp Wednesday and will return when veterans report to UC Irvine on July 25. Cleveland Gary and Curt Warner will remain to familiarize themselves with the offense. . . . Linebacker George Bethune suffered a leg bruise and hamstring strain in Tuesday’s practice. He’s listed as day-to-day. Free-agent wide receiver Anthony Sargent pulled a hamstring and will miss one to two weeks.