FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Doug Smith on the Bubble at Center

Doug Smith knows that the odds don’t favor his making it through a 15th season as a Ram, but he knows enough to understand that anything can happen between now and the end of training camp.

Smith’s roster spot was put in jeopardy when Coach Chuck Knox signed center Blair Bush as a Plan B free agent. Bush played for Knox in Seattle from 1983-1988, is someone Knox trusts to snap on punts and kicks and seems to have a big edge over Smith in the battle for the backup spot behind starting center Bern Brostek.

Smith, a six-time Pro Bowl player before losing his job last season, is the same age as Bush (35) and has had difficulties long-snapping in the past.

“You know what? It’s kind of come full cycle for me,” Smith said between practices. “I started out as a free agent in 1978, and now I’m in the same kind of competitive situation as I was back then.”

Smith is fighting for practice time, fighting for the coaching staff’s attention, fighting to keep a job he has held for 14 seasons.

Both starting cornerbacks have been sidelined temporarily because of hamstring soreness. Joining Todd Lyght, who missed his third day of practice, Darryl Henley stayed out of both practices to rest his tender hamstrings. . . . Defensive end Jim Skow missed practice because of stomach problems. . . . Rookie defensive tackle Marc Boutte has been excused for a few days to attend his grandmother’s funeral in Louisiana. . . . Knox made a point Wednesday to praise the training camp performances of receivers Aaron Cox and Vernon Turner, who have been impressive battling for the backup spots behind Henry Ellard and Flipper Anderson.