PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Ram Cornerbacks Drawing Interest

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a scout at Saturday night’s exhibition game with the Patriots to look over the Ram cornerbacks.

The Steelers lack a solid No. 3 cornerback and the Rams appear overloaded with Darryl Henley, Robert Bailey, Terry Taylor and Wymon Henderson supporting starters Todd Lyght and Steve Israel.

The Rams’ defensive coaching staff might find it difficult to part with a cornerback because of their experiences last year, when a rash of injuries left them playing with guys off the street.

However, the team’s front office is looking ahead to the final cut-down to 53, and its ramifications on the salary cap.

The Rams are also trying to deal a veteran wide receiver and a running back. Veteran wide receivers’ Jessie Hester and Greg McMurtry are longshots to make the final roster. And veteran Nate Lewis, who is working as a starter and is one of the better paid players on offense, might have trouble holding his spot with the emergence of Isaac Bruce, the team’s second-round draft pick.

Running back Cleveland Gary, who was the subject of trade talks a year ago, is not expected to be on the market. Although Johnny Bailey has emerged as the team’s third-down running back, Gary’s first- and second-down services are required as insurance because of the team’s overwhelming reliance on Jerome Bettis.

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Offensive tackle Darryl Ashmore, who used Deral Boykin’s helmet to bop Boykin in the head, apologized at a meeting Wednesday night.

Boykin needed six stitches in his head and missed both of Thursday’s practices. He is expected to return to work today.

Coach Chuck Knox would not say if Ashmore will be fined but he told the players further such incidents will result in fines of $5,000.