PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Bettis Chooses Work on Day Off

It was players’ day off at Rams Park, but running back Jerome Bettis was there working hardto build up his battered shoulders.

“On Mondays I’m usually too sore to get a good workout in and here I am, a single guy, 22 years old and what am I going to be doing on an off day?” Bettis said. “This is better than sleeping until 3. When you have a family, it’s different. Then I can see where you would be spending time with Junior.

“Getting these workouts in makes a difference. All that pounding loosens up your shoulders, and the stronger you can keep them the better off you’re going to be.”

Chris Clausen, Ram conditioning coordinator, was wearing one of Bettis’ “2,000 yards or bust” T-shirts. An observer noted that it probably should instead read, “1,000 yards if I’mlucky.”

“I knew it would be rough to get 2,000 yards, but that’s the goal I set,” said Bettis, who has gained 814 yards in a league-leading 233 carries. “That’s the goal I will continue to set, and believe me, I’ll get there some day.”