PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Young: Rookies Are Welcome Addition

Robert Young, a second-year defensive lineman, says that he enjoys stepping into a refashioned defensive line that includes rookie tackles Marc Boutte and Sean Gilbert.

“If they keep growing like that, they keep maturing, and we grow together, hey, I think we’ll be a team to reckon with, the way we’re playing together,” Young said.

Young, expected to be this season’s starting right end, sat out the first four games because of a shoulder injury and only now is getting into game shape.

When the 6-foot-6 Young, 6-3 Boutte and 6-4 Gilbert are in the lineup together, quarterbacks are having a difficult time throwing the ball over them.

“Marc’s leading the league in batted balls (with six),” Young said. “It’s hard for a quarterback to throw over a wall.”

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Ram Coach Chuck Knox said that wide receiver Jeff Chadwick, who has a cracked rib, won’t play against New Orleans on Sunday but might be back as early as next week.