PRO FOOTBALL : DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Team Releases Brian Smith, Five Others

Brian Smith, a 1989 second-round draft choice who has been shuffled around the Rams’ defense but never stood out at any one position, was one of six players released Wednesday.

Smith, a third-year pro from Auburn, played in 16 games in 1990, four as a starter. He began his Ram career as an outside linebacker, bulked up from 245 to 268 pounds and moved to defensive tackle last season. But he never became the kind of pass rusher the Rams thought he could be.

This year, Smith was moved to defensive end but has been slowed by a hamstring injury. “He got caught in some different schemes we used, and he never found a niche here,” Ram Coach John Robinson said.

What was expected to be a battle for the Rams’ punting job turned into no contest. Keith English, who had a 31.9-yard average in 68 punts last season, was also cut, leaving the job for Dale Hatcher.

Hatcher was the Ram punter from 1985-89 but was left unprotected after the 1989 season. The Green Bay Packers signed Hatcher last year but released him before the season. He spent the year out of football.

The four other players released were running back Tyrone Shelton, a seventh-round draft pick from William & Mary, and free agents Brandy Wells, a safety from Notre Dame; Ron Slack, a running back from San Diego State, and David McKinnon, a guard from Cal State Long Beach. The roster, now at 78, must be reduced to 60 by Tuesday.

Defensive end Kevin Greene injured his right triceps during practice and will be out for a week. . . . Robinson said that running back Marcus Dupree returned to Mississippi Wednesday night to attend to personal business but will return for Friday’s practice. . . . Guard Duval Love and tackle Gerald Perry, both recovering from knee injuries, returned to practice but Robinson said Love has a much better chance of playing in Saturday’s exhibition game against the Seattle Seahawks than Perry.