Notes on a Scorecard - Aug. 17, 1994

This is one exhibition game the Rams should care about. . . .

Beating the Raiders on Saturday night at Anaheim Stadium would do something for their self-esteem. . . .

A lopsided loss and ticket sales might come to a complete halt for the lame ducks, not to be confused with the Mighty Ducks next door. . . .

In case you haven’t been counting, the Rams have scored only one touchdown in two games this summer and have extended their exhibition losing streak since 1992 to seven. . . .

Look for quarterback Chris Miller to get more work. The offensive line was a sieve last week against New England, but, even at the risk of injury, the quarterback has to become more familiar with a new system and new teammates before the Sept. 4 opener against Arizona. . . .

Certain to be playing hard will be Joe Kelly, who was released by the Raiders and has become a starting linebacker for the Rams. . . .

The Raiders will return to Anaheim Stadium Nov. 13 for what could be the last all-L.A. game in the NFL. . . .

An appealing Ram rookie free agent is Beno Bryant, the former Washington and Dorsey High tailback who has caught four passes for 30 yards and gained 16 yards in three rushes. . . .

Travel time would make NFL expansion to Mexico, Canada or both more feasible than to Europe. . . .

Could the Mexican economy support a team? Tickets for the Dallas-Houston exhibition game that drew a record crowd of 112,376 to Azteca Stadium in Mexico City Monday night weren’t cheap--$60, $54, $44, $20 and $7. And it wasn’t as though most of them were $7. . . .

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Kickers feel they got two-timed when the NFL went to both a smaller tee and a 30-yard-line kickoff the same year. . . .

Tony Meola, the U.S. soccer goalkeeper trying out with the New York Jets, is one of the few who has had a kickoff reach the end zone for a touchback. . . .

I thought Chuck Cecil, the hard-hitting safety cut by the Arizona Cardinals, would have been Buddy Ryan’s kind of ballplayer. . . .

Linebacker Jeff Kopp climbed the fence at the USC pool a couple of nights this summer and dived off the 10-meter board in the dark. . . .

“When I get bored, I need something to pick me up,” Kopp said. “The adrenaline really flows when I play football. Diving was the closest thing to it.” . . .

I’m sure John Robinson will be thrilled to hear about that. . . .

Professional baseball will be played in Southern California the rest of the week--California League style. . . .

Tonight and Thursday: Lake Elsinore at Rancho Cucamonga and San Jose at San Bernardino. Friday through Sunday: Rancho Cucamonga at San Bernardino. . . .

The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes broke their California League attendance record Tuesday when they exceeded the 331,005 mark. . . .

Any unused Dodger or Angel tickets for games canceled by the strike can be exchanged free of charge for tickets to the Roller Hockey International playoff game between the Blades and the San Diego Barracudas Friday night at the Forum. . . .

The RHI playoff system is unusual. Each series consists of only two games. If the teams split the games, they play overtime the second night. . . .

Blade star Nick Vachon, son of Rogie, has signed a two-year contract with the Kings’ Phoenix Roadrunner farm club. . . .

Buster Mathis Jr. is better at comedy than boxing. . . .

Pernell Whitaker will have the home-ring advantage, which he really doesn’t need, on Oct. 1 when he gives Buddy McGirt a rematch in Norfolk, Va., on HBO. . . .

Thumbs up to Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg for saving the match race Sunday at Del Mar when he volunteered to substitute his Mamselle Bebette for the ill Cool Air against Soviet Problem. Too many people are looking for ways to keep their horses out of races. . . .

Best race of the year could be the 125th Travers Stakes Saturday at Saratoga that matches Holy Bull against Tabasco Cat. Remember, Holy Bull wasn’t nominated for the Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 5 at Churchill Downs and owner-trainer Jimmy Croll says he won’t put up the $360,000 supplemental fee. . . .

TV commentator Doug Collins suggested that the Orlando Magic would have the best starting lineup in the NBA next season. But the Phoenix Suns can put together an even more formidable five--Charles Barkley, Danny Manning, Kevin Johnson, Dan Majerle and Oliver Miller. . . .

There were no baseball negotiations Tuesday and none are scheduled, but, after all, what’s the rush?