PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : McNeal’s Performance Sunday ‘One of My Best’

Travis McNeal, a reserve tight end acquired off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 30, caught three passes for 72 yards last Sunday against Tampa Bay. McNeal, a fourth-year pro, plays primarily on special teams and in three tight end formations and had only one reception as a Ram before the game.

“That was one of my best games in the NFL,” he said.

McNeal started 14 games in 1990 for the Seahawks, but didn’t get his first touchdown reception until last season. He has 40 catches for 577 yards since the Seahawks drafted him in the fourth round in 1989.

He held out through the preseason this year and was waived after two regular-season games. The Rams signed him when Damone Johnson underwent shoulder surgery. McNeal says he’s happy to be reunited with Coach Chuck Knox.

“It wasn’t really anything personal, though,” he said. “When I came here, I wasn’t planning on taking anyone’s position or anything. I just wanted to concentrate on doing my job on special teams, because I knew that would be my primary role, and be prepared if they called my number.

“I just feel good about this team. We have a lot of potential. If we can hang together like we did (Sunday), this team can go a long way.”

Ten Rams caught passes Sunday and both of the team’s top receivers--Henry Ellard and Flipper Anderson--think the trend toward involving more receivers bodes well for the future.

“With so many guys getting balls, defenses just have to play us more honest,” Ellard said.

Anderson says he and Ellard will still see double coverage in certain situations, however.

“I think what we will see, though, is a lot more nickel-type defenses with a bunch of defensive backs in the game,” Anderson said. “And that’s fine, too, because it just opens up our running game and makes the swing passes to the backs more effective.”