RAM NOTEBOOK / MIKE REILLEY : Knox Knows Offensive Line Needs Some Help

A murderer’s row of NFL defensive ends and linebackers looms on the horizon for the Rams--and that’s just in the first six weeks of the season.

So Ram Coach Chuck Knox is more than just a little concerned about who will be the team’s starting left tackle.

Why? The tackle will have the arduous task of trying to stop pass rushers such as Arizona’s Clyde Simmons, Atlanta’s Chris Doleman, Kansas City’s Derrick Thomas and Green Bay’s Reggie White and Sean Jones.

And with tackle Wayne Gandy, the Rams’ top draft pick, still unsigned, Knox could be looking for volunteers.

Gandy is projected as the starter at left tackle, a key position because it protects often-injured quarterback Chris Miller’s blindside.

Gandy’s quick development is a must if he’s going to start, and it appears he could be a contract holdout during at least part of training camp.

“Our offensive line needs some upgrading,” Knox said. “We’re still trying to find a starter at left tackle. We might have to try some other people there.”

Knox wouldn’t name the players, but possible candidates could be guards Leo Goeas and Jeff Pahukoa, both of whom have played some tackle, or free-agent acquisitions Clarence Jones and Bill Schultz.

“I think it’s important to get (Gandy into camp) because of all the positions in football, you can’t miss time there and have a chance to catch up,” Knox said.

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The purpose of the Rams’ pre-camp workouts this week was to polish the timing of the passing game with new quarterbacks Miller and Chris Chandler and new receivers such as Jesse Hester, Greg McMurtry, Nate Lewis and rookie Chris Brantley.

But the problem was, the Rams worked out all week without Miller, who was excused so he could to be with his wife and newborn son in Lake Tahoe. Miller and rookie receiver Isaac Bruce, a second-round pick who agreed to a three-year contract Tuesday, are expected in for pre-camp workouts on Monday.

Miller’s absence meant more snaps for backups Chris Chandler, an off-season free-agent acquisition, and T.J. Rubley, a part-time starter last year.

The Rams got Chandler, a former starter in Indianapolis, Tampa Bay and Phoenix, as an insurance policy for Miller, who has undergone two knee surgeries in the past two years.

“T.J. will compete for the No. 2 position,” Knox said. “Chandler has experience and has played well in a lot of games. He started as a rookie in Indianapolis and won nine games.

“But that’s not take anything away from T.J. He can give you a different (scrambling) style, can run with the ball and can make things happen.”

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Knox thinks the Rams are much better off now than they were last season, when key injuries to defensive end Robert Young (knee) and several offensive linemen and defensive backs contributed to a 5-11 season.

“I felt positive coming into the season,” Knox said. “We were coming off a situation where we had won six games, doubled the number of wins from the previous year, and felt we had it turned around. We were sitting at 2-2, and then a lot of injuries started.”

But the Rams are healthy entering training camp and all the players are signed, except for Gandy.