PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Whatever Became of Flipper Anderson?

When the Rams opened the season they acknowledged that they had only one legitimate game-breaker--wide receiver Flipper Anderson. In the following nine weeks they have done their best to ignore him.

Anderson has 20 catches to date and only two receptions for more than 25 yards. At the same time, the Ram offense has failed to mount much of a charge this season and was unable to score a point in last week’s game against Atlanta.

“We would like to have gotten more mileage at this point with Jim Everett to Flipper, but we haven’t,” said Ted Tollner, Ram quarterback coach. “Sometimes because it hasn’t been called, sometimes because a coverage hasn’t allowed it and sometimes because there has been something there and we haven’t executed it. It’s a typical syndrome of a team that has been losing and hasn’t been productive. There is always more than one reason.”

*

Darryl Ashmore worked as the Rams’ starting right tackle Friday in place of Jackie Slater, who has been unable to play without experiencing pain in his shoulder. Slater suffered a torn pectoral muscle against Detroit and is working to regain the strength in his shoulder. Coach Chuck Knox said he won’t know if Slater will be ready to play until just before Sunday’s game against Washington.

“We’re going very slow to make sure we don’t re-injure it,” Slater said. “It would be very discouraging if it popped again. The doctors say I’m progressing very well and I’m optimistic, but I really don’t know if I can go Sunday.”

If Slater plays, he will be appearing in his 246th NFL game, an NFL record for offensive linemen.

*

Cornerback Robert Bailey will sit out Sunday’s game because of a sprained medial collateral knee ligament, and he said Friday it’s doubtful that he will have the opportunity to play this season. “All I can do is let it heal and support the team,” said Bailey, who has been working as the Rams’ starting nickel back.