RAMS ’94 / SEASON PREVIEW : One More Time for Anaheim?

The Rams, playing perhaps their last season in Anaheim, hope the running of tailback Jerome Bettis and the acquisition of several key free agents will improve them after a disappointing 5-11 season in 1993.

The Depth Chart

The offensive line will be tested by some of the league’s top defensive ends. Clarence Jones, a free-agent acquisition from the New York Giants, will start at left tackle. Keith Loneker, a second-year player, will start at left guard, replacing Tom Newberry. Darryl Ashmore, was to start at right tackle, but 19-year veteran Jackie Slater will keep his job at least for the opener.

Offensive Starters

PK Tony Zendejas 10

WR Jessie Hester 86

LT Clarence Jones 72

LG Keith Loneker 64

C Bern Brostek 61

RG Leo Goeas 79

RT Jackie Slater 78

TE Troy Drayton 84

WR Flipper Anderson 83

QB Chris Miller 13

FB Tim Lester 34

RB Jerome Bettis 36

Defensive Starters

P Sean Landeta 5

FS Anthony Newman 26

SS Marquez Pope 22

RCB Steve Israel 31

LCB Todd Lyght 41

ROL Roman Phifer 58

ML Shane Conlan 56

LOL Joe Kelly 52

RE Fred Stokes 60

RT Sean Gilbert 90

LT Jimmie Jones 98

LE Robert Young 76

Starters: In and Out

The Rams’ offense and defense made major adjustments through free-agency and trades in the off-season. Gone are quarterback Jim Everett (traded to New Orleans), starting strong safety Michael Stewart (signed by Miami), strong safety Pat Terrell (New York Jets) and tight end Pat Carter (Houston), the key blocker on sweep plays with tailback Jerome Bettis. Key starters obtained through free agency are quarterback Chris Miller from Atlanta and defensive tackle Jimmie Jones (Dallas). Wayne Gandy, the Rams’ top draft pick, is projected to eventually start at left tackle, and second-round selection Toby Wright is pressing for Stewart’s vacated strong safety position.

Nostalgia Game

The Rams will wear gold replica jerseys from the 1951 NFL championship team for their Sept. 18 home game against San Francisco, in honor of the league’s 75th anniversary. They wore the gold with blue numbers throughout most of the 1950s but changed in 1957 when networks began televising some games. The problem: Blue-on-gold numbers were difficult to read on black-and-white TV sets. Solution: A switch to the more visible blue jerseys with light numbers.

New Kid on the Block

New quarterback Chris Miller was 9 when he first met Ram Coach Chuck Knox at a Punt Pass and Kick competition. Miller, who was born in Pomona and grew up in Claremont, considers himself a longtime Ram fan, even though he moved to Eugene, Ore., at age 10. “I grew up following James Harris, Jack Youngblood and yeah, what’s the name of that guy who wore No. 18--Roman Gabriel.” Gabriel is the team’s second-leading all-time passer.

Where and When

The Rams won’t have history on their side when they play at San Francisco in a 5 p.m. ESPN game on Nov. 20. They’re 22-30 in prime-time games, including 4-7 on Sunday, 16-19 on Monday, 1-2 on Thursday, 0-2 on Friday and 1-0 on Saturday. The Rams haven’t played on “Monday Night Football” since losing to the 49ers, 33-10, in 1991.

Where and When

(all times Pacific)

9/4 ARIZONA, 1 p.m.

9/11 at Atlanta, 10 a.m.

9/18 SAN FRANCISCO, 1 p.m.

9/25 at Kansas City, 10 a.m.

10/2 ATLANTA, 1 p.m.

10/9 at Green Bay, 10 a.m.

10/16 NEW YORK GIANTS, 1 p.m.

10/23 at New Orleans, 10 a.m.

10/30 Bye

11/6 DENVER, 1 p.m.

11/13 RAIDERS, 1 p.m.

11/20 at San Francisco, 5 p.m.

11/27 at San Diego, 1 p.m.

12/4 NEW ORLEANS, 1 p.m.

12/11 at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m.

12/18 at Chicago, 10 a.m.

12/24 WASHINGTON, 1 p.m.

Getting Situated

Home stadium: Anaheim Stadium

Location: 2000 State College Blvd., Anaheim, 92803

Headquarters: Rams Park, 2327 W. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, 92801

1993 home attendance: (8 games): 363,211

1993 home average: 45,401

1993 largest crowd: 62,143, Rams vs. 49ers on Nov. 28

Parking: Parking lot opens at 10:30 a.m. on game days (2 1/2 hours before kickoff). Parking is $6. Stadium gates open 1 1/2 hours before kickoff.

Advance ticket purchase: Single-game regular-season tickets are $23, $30 and $35. The ticket office at Gate 9 is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets also sold at Ticketmaster outlets at Music Plus, Robinsons-May and Tower Records.

Telephone ticket orders: Call Rams directly at (714) 937-6767 or (800) 2GO-RAMS or Ticketmaster at (714) 740-2000, (213) 480-3232, (805) 583-8700 or (619) 220-TIXS.

Group sales: Groups of 25 or more can receive discounts and scoreboard and program recognition. Call (800) 2GO-RAMS. Sources: Rams, National Football League; Researched by MIKE REILLEY/Los Angeles Times