RAMS : Robinson Remains Upbeat Despite Barrage of Injuries

ANAHEIM — The Rams have slightly less than two weeks to make the transformation. Will they show up in Green Bay for the season opener Sept. 9 looking like a Super Bowl contender or the M.A.S.H. unit they currently resemble?

Coach John Robinson tried to sound optimistic Sunday morning, but admitted the Rams’ patchwork defense--decimated by injury and stalled contract negotiations--didn’t prove much during Saturday night’s 27-7 exhibition victory over Phoenix.

“I’m encouraged by some things,” he said. “I mean I thought our defense responded pretty well, considering. Of course, no one would say the Cardinals gave us their best shot offensively . . . but we responded.”

The fact that sackmaster Kevin Greene, defensive tackle Doug Reed and safety Michael Stewart remain holdouts hasn’t made things any easier.

Robinson is trying to avoid sounding even a tiny bit panicky. When questioned further about his growing concern as opening day creeps closer, however, his voice does rise an octave or two.

“Sure, we’ve got to close some things, some players have got to come together,” he said. “Do you think we could open the season with up to 15 players not playing? I mean that’s a concern.

“If we get them all back, I won’t be concerned, but there’s bound to be a residual falloff in timing and physical conditioning.”

Indeed, Robinson hopes that that is his biggest problem when the team plane touches down in Wisconsin. The situation has deteriorated to the point that the best scenario would be a full contingent of less-than-superbly conditioned athletes.

“Certainly, conditioning is becoming an issue, one of my big worries,” he said. “I’m especially concerned about conditioning with big men up front on defense. The problems we have now are, one, getting people on the practice field and, two, getting them conditioned.”

Still, Robinson can take a step back, look at the big picture and feel pretty good about the Rams’ chances.

“I like the people on this team,” he said. “We’re having trouble getting everything smoothed out, but I think this is a talented group of people, a very positive group of people and it has the makings of a very good team.

“It just isn’t right now.”

The defense isn’t the only unit that’s suffering because of the injuries riddling the Ram lineup. The top three wide receivers--Aaron Cox, Flipper Anderson and Henry Ellard--are hampered by hamstring pulls.

“I’m not satisfied with where we are,” quarterback Jim Everett said. “We’ve done some good things and some bad, but we’re not as polished as we need to be. Not practicing with the starters changes my timing. Each guy has his own style and we need to work together.”

Ellard and Anderson are expected to play Friday night against Washington. Cox is hoping to be ready for Green Bay.

The Rams have decided to move Bill Hawkins from defensive tackle to end because his injured left knee, which required arthroscopic surgery in December, still is not fully rehabilitated.

“We moved him to the defensive end position, which is normally near the tight end, and we think he’s going to play there for a while,” Robinson said. “He’s not quite 100% on getting up the field to pass rush because of his leg, but he can certainly play this other position.”

Rams Notes

The play of the secondary against Phoenix was a positive Saturday night. “They did a very good job,” Coach John Robinson said. “I think (strong safety) Vince Newsome and (cornerback) Bobby Humphery are having really good training camps. And there’s no question (free safety) Anthony Newman had his best game so far. It was one of his most confident games. He played aggressively. He played like a starter.” . . . The injuries and holdouts also have complicated the task of making the first personnel cuts. NFL rosters must be trimmed to 60 on Tuesday. Robinson said he would announce some cuts today and the rest on Tuesday. “We’ve got so many injured guys in limbo, (so) it makes it a little more difficult,” he said.

Tony Lomack and Derrick Faison, both of whom caught touchdown passes Saturday night, repeatedly pointed out that the three-way competition for the No. 4 receiver spot that also includes Tim Stallworth is a friendly battle. In fact, both said they would be “happy” for whomever ended up with the job. Stallworth, who had only one catch Saturday, didn’t have the same Pollyanna approach, however. “This is a job we’re talking about here, and it’s very important to all of us,” he said. “Sure, I’m happy they were in the right place and had the ball thrown to them, but I’m looking forward to the next game and hoping I’ll get some balls thrown to me.”