PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Gilbert Hopes to Play Sunday

His ankle might not be fully ready, but defensive tackle Sean Gilbert, listed as questionable, was in full uniform, practicing for Sunday’s opener against the Arizona Cardinals at Anaheim Stadium.

Gilbert, the team’s top defender, had been sidelined since Aug. 20 because of the ankle injury.

“It’s sore, real sore, but I expected that because I haven’t practiced in a week and a half,” he said. “There’s about 40% strength there; it’s not ready for four quarters.”

Gilbert wanted to work out to acquaint himself with the game plan.

“It’s not up to me; it’s always in God’s hands,” he said. “As badly as I want to get out there and play, I can’t pressure myself, because that won’t serve anyone’s purpose. I just have to wait until I’m ready to play.”

Defensive tackle Gerald Robinson and wide receiver Todd Kinchen, also listed as questionable because of injuries, did not practice.

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The Cardinals made a change in their lineup, replacing rookie Brent Alexander with veteran Terry Hoage at free safety.

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How intense is Arizona’s preparation for the Rams? Coach Buddy Ryan, asked for his assessment of Bettis, said: “Tom Bettis, the defensive backfield coach?”

No, Jerome.

“Oh, he’s a good tailback,” Ryan said.

Ryan, ever quotable, was asked this week about the commercial diet he and Chuck Knox advertised several years ago.

“I don’t know if he lost more than I did, but he looked a hell of a lot worse afterward,” Ryan said. “They should have given him a tulip. He was ready to be buried.”

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The last time Cardinal quarterback Steve Beuerlein played at Anaheim Stadium, it was for Anaheim Servite High.

“We were playing for the CIF championship against Long Beach Poly,” Beuerlein said. “That would have been the fall of ’82. We (won), 31-7.”

Did Long Beach present a tougher defense than what he expects from the Rams?

“I don’t think so,” he said. “We had a pretty easy time with Long Beach Poly. We had a good team and took it right to them.

“I’m not sold on the theory that this is a game we should win. That’s what everyone is saying, but we don’t buy that. If we don’t play our best game, the Rams can easily beat us; it’s a must-win game for us.”