PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : The Road Will Provide a Challenge

Already 0-1 and set to start a three-game trip to play the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers on consecutive weeks, the Rams are staring an 0-4 start right in the face.

“I think it’s safe to say it’s a challenge,” Coach John Robinson said. “Certainly, the Giants are outstanding, the Saints are difficult at home and the 49ers are outstanding.

“(But) we’ve beaten all those clubs in those places in the past. So I think the key for us is us.”

Robinson, who was as shaken after the Rams’ 24-14 loss to Phoenix on Sunday as he has ever appeared, said he believes his team’s attitude will only be stronger.

“If we are what I think we are, then I think we’ll become even more determined,” Robinson said. “And if we’re not, then we’ll begin folding our tent.”

One bright side to the Rams’ otherwise shaky offensive performance was their ability to convert six of nine third-down tries--an area where the team feared it would struggle early after the Plan B departure of tight end Pete Holohan.

“I think we’ll be pretty good throughout the year at that area,” Robinson said. “I think that’s the area that we were concerned the loss of Pete Holohan would be a problem, but I think between Bobby (Delpino) and Henry Ellard, we seem to be off to a reasonable start.”

Robinson did not sound too optimistic that late-signing No. 1 pick Todd Lyght, suffering from what is being called a left hip flexor injury, will work his way into significant playing time soon--especially with two running teams next on the schedule. “He has to earn the opportunity to play,” Robinson said. Lyght was deactivated Sunday. . . . Even though Robinson said he was pleased with the way Gerald Perry played at left tackle Sunday, he said Robert Jenkins will remain the starter at least for another week.