Working His Way Up Again : Rams: Running back Robert Delpino comes to camp knowing he must prove himself to new staff.

Robert Delpino, who has had to fight for everything he has ever received in his NFL life, finally ended his latest battle and joined the Rams’ training camp practices Monday afternoon--five days late, zero dollars richer and with a handful of runners lined up to take his place as the team’s featured back.

Delpino, the team’s most valuable player last season, was seeking to improve his 1992 salary of $325,000, but relented when he realized all he was doing was lessening his chances to earn a starting job under Coach Chuck Knox.

He came in with no hard promises, but with an assurance from the Rams that they will talk about extending his contract beyond this season.

He also came in knowing that the new staff isn’t quite sure that his 215-pound body is durable enough to handle the pounding a tailback in the Knox system must endure. After a fast start last season, Delpino slowed down, and ended up averaging only 3.2 yards per carry.

“One more year I’ve got to prove myself again, that’s fine,” Delpino said Monday. “And then after that, I hope it’s all over, said and done. But it might not be, I might do it again next year.

“Robert Delpino will always have to prove himself to somebody. That’s what my career is all about--proving myself. And I think that gives me an edge. They don’t give me a chance to relax. You’re always looking over your shoulder no matter what, whether it’s third-string, second-string or first-string.”

Delpino said he hadn’t yet been told what his role will be under the new regime, but said he felt he deserved a prime shot at the starting tailback job after his performance last season, when he had a team-leading 688 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.

“Aside all the things that happened to the team on the field, I feel I at least deserve to be considered, in contention,” Delpino said.

“Right now I’m 4 1/2 days behind, but that’s not too much to make up. The offense has changed not much, just slightly. I feel there’s no reason why I can’t come over here and take over where I left off last year.”

And if he starts the season just as he has his previous four--as a backup?

“My reaction will be what it’s been my first four years: I start off at the bottom every year and I work my way to the top,” Delpino said.

In practice Monday afternoon, Delpino was used mostly as a fullback alongside tailback Gary, but also saw time in a one-back set and flanked out wide as a receiver. Knox said he wasn’t ruling out Delpino earning the featured back job and carrying the ball more than 20 times per game.

“I could see that possibility,” Knox said. “It’s going to be up to the guy--if you’re going to carry it 20-25 times a game and get the yardage, that’s the key.”

Other backs the Rams have at tailback, and who have all been impressive at times in camp, include Marcus Dupree, David Lang, Joe Campbell and Derek Loville.

Gary remains the probable favorite to earn the starting role.

Knowing that he needed to show the coaches what he could do on the field, Delpino said it became obvious he had to end his holdout.

“I had my mind made up to not come in,” Delpino said. “Then after all the anger had passed, I woke up. I said, ‘Man, I’m not doing anyone any good--especially myself.’ If I want to be competing for the starting job, either one of them this year, I’m going to have to come in and work at it.

“What I had to fight with myself for so long (was) how would I be able to go into camp with this over my head? But the thing is I’m a professional, you have to set aside your personal matters and do what’s best for your teammates, for the organization and myself.

“The only way I figured it would be best for all three of us was for me to be out on the practice field, me to be here. Instead of talk about it, do it on the field.”

Knox said he hadn’t decided whether to enforce a $1,500-a-day fine on Delpino for missing camp while under contract.

“I really haven’t talked to Robert,” Knox said. “I don’t want to get a guy in, say, ‘Hey I’m going to fine you,’ without even a chance to sit down to talk with him.”