PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Former Charger Griffith Is Signed

Howard Griffith, who was stuck behind a talented group of running backs in San Diego, signed with the Rams and replaced running back Ken Clark.

The Rams claimed Clark off waivers from Indianapolis earlier in the week, but then released him after he reported with a hamstring injury and failed to pass a physical.

Griffith was on a plane in San Diego headed for Chicago when a stewardess told him to bring his belongings and take a phone call from his agent.

“I was on my way home,” Griffith said. “I was on the plane in my seat. I didn’t know what was going on at the time, but I’m really happy to be here and have this opportunity.

“The Chargers had some great backs there, and then they drafted one (Natrone Means). They decided to keep four, and I was the fifth.”

In addition to Means, the Chargers have Marion Butts, Ronnie Harmon and Eric Bieniemy at running back. Means filled the roster spot vacated by Rod Bernstine, who signed with Denver during the off-season.

Griffth, a ninth-round draft pick of the Colts in 1991, played with the Bills before spending last season on the Chargers’ practice squad. Griffith set an NCAA record by scoring eight touchdowns for Illinois in a game against Southern Illinois.

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Coach Chuck Knox said Mike Pagel will be the backup to starting quarterback Jim Everett this week.

“Pagel’s the holder,” Knox said. “Our field-goal kicker has a lot of confidence in him, so he will be our backup guy this week.”

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Linebacker Shane Conlan practiced on a limited basis Thursday, but that was more than what Knox had in mind.

“He’s fine,” Knox said. “I wanted to hold him out today, to be very candid about it. But he said he’s ready to go. I wanted him to take the pads off and stand by me, but he said he wanted to go.”

Conlan pulled a groin muscle in last week’s exhibition finale, but is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against Green Bay.

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Knox said that his offensive players had elected tackle Jackie Slater as offensive captain, and the defensive players picked safety Anthony Newman as defensive captain. Slater and Newman will remain captains throughout the season. The special-teams captain will be selected on a weekly basis. Tim Lester was picked for Sunday’s game.