PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Robinson Promises More of Dupree

Coach John Robinson continues to say that Marcus Dupree will become an important part of the Rams’ offense, but last week Robinson had said Dupree would play about half the time against the New Orleans Saints last Sunday and he had only three carries.

Robinson has never doubted Dupree’s ability to carry the football, but the 27-year-old running back’s inexperience in other areas has held back his progress.

“We wanted to get Marcus to play more,” Robinson said, “but we’re at a place where Bobby (Delpino) becomes so important in terms of picking up (blitzes) and getting loose on passing downs. You tend to put Marcus in for one play, and then if it’s second down and you’re throwing, you tend to want to get the other guy in.”

Robinson insists, however, that Dupree, a strong, straight-ahead runner, remains a big factor in the Rams’ future.

Tony Zendejas kicked his 10th consecutive field goal of the season Sunday and has made 16 in a row dating to last year. Zendejas is the only kicker in the NFL who has not missed a field-goal attempt this season. . . . Delpino leads the NFL in scoring with 10 touchdowns--nine rushing and one receiving--and is fourth in the NFC in total yards from scrimmage, 902. He has rushed for 476 yards and has caught 31 passes for 426 yards.