RAMS : Still Mired in Legal Problems, Perry Absent From Camp

The Rams, still waiting for Gerald Perry to clear up legal problems in Colorado, opened a two-week minicamp Tuesday at Rams Park.

Perry, the oft-troubled offensive lineman acquired in a draft day trade with the Denver Broncos, apparently is attempting to plea bargain a third-degree sexual assault charge in a Denver-area court. The Rams expect him to serve a short jail term there.

Presuming he is sentenced--which should be about a week to 10 days--Perry, who is unsigned, is expected to join the team.

On Tuesday, Ram Coach John Robinson said the club would make an announcement today clarifying the Perry situation.

A few weeks ago, Robinson said Perry was expected to show up at the beginning of this camp, but Tuesday Robinson said the Rams want Perry to settle his legal situation before he joins them.

“We’ve just altered our plans for him a little bit,” Robinson said. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow. (today.) We just want him to be finished with all his Denver business before he comes. . . . He’s in the process of proceeding with that.”

Earlier, the Rams thought Perry might be able to serve a sentence by doing community service in the Los Angeles area, but apparently the short jail term in Denver is the quickest solution.

With the league considering adding a roster spot for third-string quarterbacks, and because they might need three quarterbacks, the Rams are looking at some familiar faces.

Joining the team’s practice Tuesday was former Cleveland Browns’ backup quarterback Mike Pagel. Longtime New England Patriots starter Steve Grogan is expected to show for a workout Friday.

Last season, after losing Mark Herrmann on waivers, the Rams kept only Jim Everett and Chuck Long at quarterback.

The league will decide this month whether to adopt a proposal that would allow teams to add a 46th player on the game-day active roster as long as it’s a third quarterback. Robinson said he wants to move quickly if the rule passes.

“And we may in fact want a third quarterback (even) if the rule stays the same,” Robinson said. “In the third quarterback we want a person who’s a veteran NFL player who can play without taking a lot of snaps.

“What we’re looking for is that ultimate type of competitor that could go in and maybe be a short reliever for you.”

Pagel, 30, and Grogan, 37, were released in the off-season. Pagel played behind Bernie Kosar in Cleveland, and Grogan started on and off in New England for 16 years.

They call him “Moses” around Rams Park, and Mosi Tatupu just smiles. Tatupu, heading into his 14th NFL season at age 35, was signed as a Plan B free agent in the off-season and is slated to be the Rams’ big blocking back.

Tatupu is the team’s second-oldest player, behind 36-year-old Jackie Slater.

Robinson said Tatupu will alternate time at fullback with Buford McGee and Robert Delpino, with Tatupu playing in short-yardage situations and seeing some spot time in regular sets and third-and-long pass-blocking situations.

“I’ve been a role-player all my life, really,” Tatupu said. “Nothing’s changed for me.

“I’m happy. After 13 years in the league, I’m being honest with myself. I can only get so much out of myself.”