PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Knox Still Wants to Coach

Seattle Seahawk Coach Chuck Knox, finishing his 19th year as a head coach in the NFL, could very well be forced to resign after the season. But he is one of the leading candidates to replace John Robinson as Ram coach.

Knox, who has coached Seattle since 1983 (the same length Robinson coached the Rams), says he doesn’t subscribe to Al Davis’ theory that coaches burn out after about 10 years in the NFL.

“I think you would have to ask Don Shula that--he’s been coaching a long time,” Knox said. “There’s been a lot of coaches that have coached more than 10 years in the league.

“Joe Gibbs is in his 11th year, and he seems not to have suffered burnout. Certainly I respect Al Davis and I respect his theory. Other people may have a different theory.”

Two more names have surfaced as possible candidates to replace Robinson: Current Green Bay Packer Coach Lindy Infante and New York Giant assistant coach Ron Erhardt.

Infante is in trouble in Green Bay but is known as a quarterback mentor. Erhardt is a seasoned offensive coach who was bumped out of the Giant power structure by the rise of Coach Ray Handley.

Former Philadelphia Eagle Coach Buddy Ryan and Knox remain the top possibilities.