PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Defense Weighs In Light for Heyward

With 300-pound defensive tackle Alvin Wright and 250-pound linebacker Fred Strickland doubtful for Sunday night’s game in New Orleans, the Rams are concerned about stopping Saint running back Craig (Ironhead) Heyward.

Heyward is listed at 260 pounds, but Ram coaches think he is closer to 280 pounds.

“He’s bigger than anybody we have on defense right now,” linebacker coach Ronnie Jones said.

Wright’s replacement is 273-pound Robert Young, noted for his pass rushing, not yet for his run-stopping ability. Replacing Strickland is Roman Phifer, a 230-pound rookie.

“That’s losing a lot of beef,” defensive coordinator Jeff Fisher said.

Ted Tollner, recently fired as the San Diego Chargers’ offensive coordinator and a member of Coach John Robinson’s staff at USC, has been at Rams Park the past few days. . . . Vernon Turner, who fumbled two punts in the season opener, will see significant action as the punt returner this week, Robinson said. “We feel OK about using Vernon, but we also will use Darryl Henley.”