PRO FOOTBALL REPORT : WEEKDAY UPDATE : RAMS : Gary Tightens His Hold on No. 1 Spot

Cleveland Gary’s recovery from a lower-back injury and his 102-yard performance during the Rams’ 44-24 victory over the Atlanta Falcons Sunday have relegated running backs Curt Warner and Gaston Green to backup status.

“I think he’ll probably make 1,000 yards this year,” Ram Coach John Robinson said. “He’s a runner that people don’t get good shots at. He runs inside well, his center of gravity is low and he seems to make you miss. He’s a bit of a slitherer, but he’s so low to the ground that he can generate power and slither.”

Opponents will see more of Gary catching the ball, too. “In the past, the tailback was a non-receiver,” Robinson said. “He became mostly responsible for blocking. But Cleveland is a good enough receiver, and Jim (Everett) is thinking of him. And Cleve can (fool) around and get up the field with it.”

“Ernie (Zampese, the Ram offensive coordinator) would love to get the tailback involved, and we’ll begin to work back to that.”