Despite Record, Robinson Happy : Rams: Looking past offensive sluggishness and fumbles, coach sees the bright side.

One day after the Rams finished the exhibition season with a 1-3 record, Coach John Robinson said he likes what he has seen.

“If you look at 1-3, you say it wasn’t a very good preseason,” Robinson said. “For us it was a good preseason. Just from what I feel, I feel better than I did coming into the preseason. I would be surprised if somebody would be less impressed than at the start of camp.”

He seemed to be looking past the Rams’ offensive sluggishness and inability to hang onto the football, particularly in losses to Atlanta and Houston. Four fumbles with two lost in Thursday’s 16-13 loss to the Houston Oilers in Memphis, Tenn., brought the Rams’ four-game exhibition total to 16 fumbles with eight lost.

Robinson said it’s simply the nature of the NFL exhibition season and not a sign of things to come when the Rams open against the Phoenix Cardinals Sept. 1 at Anaheim Stadium. In August you take the bad with the good.

And Robinson believes the Rams will be good this season.

If nothing else, they escaped the exhibition season without a major injury, though there are several players with lingering aches and pains.

There are two injuries of major concern, however.

Tackle Gerald Perry and running back Marcus Dupree, expected to be key contributors, are still sidelined. Neither Perry (injured knee) nor Dupree (toe) played in Thursday’s game.

“Hopefully, we can get Gerald Perry on the practice field and revved up for playing,” Robinson said. “We’re very impressed with Gerald Perry . . . what we’ve seen of Gerald Perry, anyway. He only had one good day of practice before he got hurt. (But) he’s a pretty tenacious guy. A hard worker.”

Perry missed all four exhibition games.

Dupree has played only twice--against Atlanta and Seattle.

“He’s a rookie and he needs to be on the practice field,” Robinson said. “He’s missed so much time I’m worried about how quickly he can get back.”

On other fronts, the offensive line and the special teams need to become more efficient, but the offense is on track, Robinson said.

Robinson singled out receiver Aaron Cox, who started in place of Henry Ellard (thigh), defensive lineman Bill Hawkins, guard Joe Milinichik and running back Robert Delpino for their fine play in Thursday’s game, and in training camp in general.

“Bill is consistently improving,” Robinson said of Hawkins. “He came into camp really light. We hope he gains weight. (His improvement) has been very pleasant to witness.”

Tom Newberry’s wife, Tillie, delivered 5-pound twin boys, Thomas and Nicholas, Thursday in Florida. Robinson excused Newberry from Thursday’s game.

“He called me Thursday morning,” Robinson said. “I said, ‘Can’t you stay? We need you . . . What am I saying? Go. It’s your first child. It’s twins.’ ”

Newberry, in a battle for the starting center spot with Doug Smith, will be back in camp Monday. Newberry is being switched to center from left guard and played in only two of the team’s four exhibition games.

“We’re going to give Tom Newberry a lot of work (this week),” Robinson said. “We feel Doug’s ankle isn’t 100%.”

Even with a gimpy ankle, Smith started and played the entire game Thursday.