RAMS : Training Camp Preview to Begin at UC Irvine

Chuck Knox calls it “advance camp,” making the Rams’ first official full-contact get-together in his second regime as head coach sound almost like military reconnaissance.

Rookies, inexperienced players and veterans returning after injuries are scheduled to report to UC Irvine tonight to begin the Rams’ daily work toward the 1992 season.

Thirteen of 15 draft choices already have signed--including No. 1 pick Sean Gilbert--leaving only second-round choice Steve Israel and fourth-rounder Shawn Harper unsigned.

The rest of the team is scheduled to report next Tuesday.

For Knox and his new staff of coaches, the first week of drills and one early scrimmage with the San Diego Chargers is all about getting to know the players, becoming familiar with the atmosphere and figuring out where this 3-13 team of a year ago should be headed.

Among those most closely watched will be the 315-pound Gilbert, expected to be a force in the middle of the defensive line immediately; Israel, a tall, quick cornerback, and third-round picks Marc Boutte and Todd Kinchen.

Also, promising second-year players, such as fullback Ernie Thompson and linebacker Roman Phifer, who sat out the end of last season because of a broken leg, will get a close look.

“No. 1, we want to find out about the new players,” Knox said. “We want to see what type of condition the veteran players who are coming back are in--find out more about them, see how they’ve recuperated from any off-season surgeries or injuries they received last year.

“It’ll also be good for the coaching staff to go to a new training site and get the lay of the land, so to speak, so we can have an idea of where everybody’s supposed to go, where we’re supposed to be, get any little snags ironed out at training camp so when we go to the regular camp, we should have a lot of the little things taken care of.”

Then, when the veterans arrive, the heavy-duty work begins.

During the team’s May mini-camp, Knox said he wanted to set a pace for the team, to make it feel the taste of discipline and teamwork he is known to instill.

He doesn’t deny that he is feeling antsy.

“Yeah, this is what it’s all about,” Knox said. “I think everybody’s got to be excited about training camp. Teach them, coach them, try and build it day by day.

“We’ve got to get fundamentally sound in training camp, where we can execute the basics that you have to have if you’re going to have a chance to win.”

Ram Notes

Chuck Knox said that, although Jim Everett was willing to attend all of advance camp, he asked the quarterback to delay his arrival until Sunday to give backup Mike Pagel and rookies T.J. Rubley and Matt Veatch more opportunities to throw early. . . . The attorney for second-round pick Steve Israel said negotiations continued Tuesday.