PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Miller Works Out Without a Net

The Rams’ battle cry this year: “If Chris Miller stays healthy . . . “

Miller, the quarterback hired to replace Jim Everett, ran through two training camp practices Friday at UC Irvine without wearing a brace on the left knee that has required surgery twice in the past two seasons.

“It feels so good right now; it feels normal,” Miller said. “We don’t even need to talk about it. I don’t know too many guys who aren’t getting hurt in the NFL. It’s not like I’m the only extreme out there.

“I’ll probably put the brace on when we go in full gear only for the fact that if someone were to roll into me. Sure, I’m hoping to stay healthy, and if I can great things are going to happen.”

Coach Chuck Knox, who watched Everett fling footballs all over the place a year ago, was impressed with Miller’s accuracy.

“Miller put on quite an exhibition,” Knox said. “That was impressive.”

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You’d expect an injury-prone Miller to be packing a rabbit’s foot, but no, he wears No. 13.

Quarterback T.J. Rubley wears No. 12, Miller’s number while in Atlanta, and Miller said he wasn’t about to buy the numeral.

“I thought this is a fresh start, a new number,” Miller said. “Hell, I’ll try 13. It’s supposed to be unlucky, but I’ll make it lucky.”

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The Shane Conlan Award for being the first player to come up injured on the opening day of training camp goes to cornerback Steve Israel.

Israel, who has been promoted to starting right cornerback, lasted about 35 minutes before removing himself with a hamstring injury.

Conlan, who injured his knee on the first day of practice a year ago, was still standing at last glance.

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The Rams signed veteran Darryl Ashmore, who is projected to start at right tackle, and released tight end Bob Brasher. The team also placed wide receiver Todd Kinchen on the physically unable to perform list.