PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Recent History Indicates Trouble Ahead

If recent history is any indication, the Rams are in trouble when they face the New York Giants on Sunday. Three years in a row, they have started the season with a defeat, come back with a victory and then lost again.

And the poor starts have been bad omens. After a 1-2 start in 1990, they lost five of their next seven and four in a row to close out the season. In ‘91, they won only two more games all year. Last season, they finished 6-10.

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Middle linebacker Shane Conlan (groin injury) says he is feeling much better and “definitely will be ready” to play against the Giants. Coach Chuck Knox took a more cautious approach. Of Conlan, he said there is “a chance he could go.” . . . If Conlan isn’t ready, the Rams will settle for a performance similar to Sunday’s by backup Thomas Homco. In his first NFL start, Homco had seven tackles and an interception during the Rams’ 27-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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The Steelers gained only 175 yards, the lowest output by a Ram opponent in almost seven years. The Rams held Atlanta to 151 yards during a 14-7 victory on Oct. 26, 1987. . . . Henry Ellard needs seven receptions and 29 yards to become the 13th receiver in NFL history to have 550 receptions for 9,000 yards.