PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Veterans Hit Field in Good Condition

Coach Chuck Knox said he is pleased that most of the veterans had come in at their prescribed weights and that the first day of practices with veterans were crisp and to the point.

Acknowledging that he has already begun fining players, Knox also praised tackle Gerald Perry, who reported one pound lighter than the suggested 308, and tailback Marcus Dupree, who reported much lighter than last season’s weight of 240.

“Everybody ought to be excited on the first day,” Knox said. “This is what it’s all about. The key is to be able to sustain the excitement and be able to sustain the burning desire in your gut to want to improve as an individual football player.”

Tailback Robert Delpino remained among the missing. Delpino is holding out for more than the $325,000 he is to be paid this season.

Other unsigned and absent Rams are tackle Jackie Slater, safety Michael Stewart and No. 2 draft pick Steve Israel.

Fourth-round draft choice Shawn Harper, projected as a key player in the Rams’ revamped offensive line, suffered sprained ligaments in his left knee in Tuesday’s scrimmage with the San Diego Chargers. He is expected to miss two weeks. . . . The Rams released four players--receiver Terence Barber, running back Cisco Richard, guard Gene Fruge and tackle Neal Fort--to get to the 80-man training-camp roster limit.