PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Report Says Cowboys Are Interested in Gary
Stephen Jones, the Cowboys’ vice president, has contacted the agent for Ram running back Cleveland Gary and has expressed interest in a deal for the unsigned player.
A report from Dallas also indicated that Jones had contacted the Rams, but John Shaw, executive vice president, and Coach Chuck Knox said they have not been contacted. Jay Zygmunt, the Rams’ vice president, does not return phone calls to reporters.
“If the Cowboys had running back Emmitt Smith under contract, they wouldn’t be interested,” said Jordan Woy, Gary’s agent. “But I think they are starting to realize Emmitt may not be there for the start of the season.
“Cleveland played for (Cowboy Coach) Jimmy Johnson in college at Miami, and Norv Turner, the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator, was previously with the Rams. I guess there’s a potential fit there.”
Smith and the Cowboys remain at odds in contract negotiations, and Johnson has said he expects Smith to miss the opening of the regular season. The Cowboy running game is in the hands of free agent Derrick Gainer.
The Cowboys reportedly are willing to offer Gary $1.2 million for 1993. As the Rams’ leading rusher and receiver, Gary earned $350,000 last season. The Rams have offered him $385,000 for 1993.
The Rams gave Woy permission during the off-season to seek a second-round pick in exchange for Gary. Woy, however, found no takers.
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Wide receiver Flipper Anderson, the team’s most impressive performer in training camp, missed practice Thursday because of flu.
“He turned his ankle early in camp and worked his way through it, but this thing was serious enough that he couldn’t be out here,” said Milt Jackson, receivers coach. “The trainer told me he should just stay in bed.
“Flipper’s been outstanding in camp. He’s been tougher, worked harder and he’s been real attentive. He looks like a guy who wants to have a banner year.”
Wide receiver Sean LaChapelle, the team’s fifth-round pick, returned to work after being sidelined because of a groin injury.
Starting left cornerback Todd Lyght missed practice because of a hamstring injury. Steve Israel replaced Lyght in the lineup.