PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Phifer Is Among Best, Conlan Says

Linebacker Shane Conlan, who has played in three Pro Bowls, believes Ram teammate Roman Phifer is having the kind of season that should earn him Pro Bowl consideration.

“I don’t know if he’s getting overlooked, but I’ve played with a lot of great outside linebackers, and Roman Phifer is playing as well as any of them,” Conlan said. “He’s definitely a Pro Bowl type of player.”

Phifer leads the Rams with 78 tackles, including 61 solo.

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Sam Seale figured his NFL career was over, and when the Rams called this week inviting him for a tryout, he expected he would have a nice drive from San Diego to Anaheim, a bite to eat and a ride home.

But by nightfall he had signed to play for the Rams.

“I was released by the Raiders last November and when nothing happened by the fourth game of the season, I thought I was through,” he said. “The last call I got from any team was before training camp. I was working as a salesman with my brother’s company and running track. I was getting on with my life.”

Seale started all 16 games for the Chargers in 1991 and played in eight games for the Raiders last season.

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The Rams promoted wide receiver Richard Buchanan from their practice squad to their 53-man roster. Buchanan provides depth at the position because of the knee injury to Ernie Jones.