AROUND THE NFL : RAMS : Anderson Wanted Ellard in Pro Bowl
Wide receiver Flipper Anderson scolded Pro Bowl voters Friday for leaving former teammate Henry Ellard off the NFC squad.
Ellard caught 65 passes for 1,284 yards with the Washington Redskins this season, averaging 19.3 yards per catch. He was left off the NFC roster in favor of starters Jerry Rice of San Francisco and Cris Carter of Minnesota, and reserves Sterling Sharpe of Green Bay and Michael Irvin of Dallas.
“He has had a Pro-Bowl season,” Anderson said. “He got shafted in the voting. I know a couple of those guys have had good seasons with their teams, but they didn’t have better games statistically than Henry.”
Ellard caught 17 fewer passes and nine fewer touchdowns than Sharpe, but he has 302 yards more receiving. Irvin has caught 71 passes for 1,143 yards and six touchdowns.
“Henry got to 1,000 yards quicker than any receiver in the league,” Anderson said. “I know Sharpe and Irvin are mainstays, but I still believe Henry had a better year than they did, and I don’t think it’s fair the way the voting went.”
Anderson said he left a message on Ellard’s answering machine Friday, telling him “to keep his head up. He’s having a great season.”
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Tight end Troy Drayton, who has complained about his role in the Rams’ passing game this season, was rewarded Friday when he was named a Pro Bowl alternate behind San Francisco’s Brent Jones and Jay Novacek of Dallas.
Drayton is third on the Rams in receptions with 30 for 260 yards but leads the team with six touchdown catches. He has complained twice this season for the team’s inability to get him the ball and taking him out in passing downs in favor of a four wide receiver formation.
“This makes it all worthwhile,” Drayton said. “Even though I didn’t have the numbers I wanted, it showed that some of the guys (players and coaches) thought pretty highly of me. I’m pretty happy, and I can’t complain.”
As an alternate, Drayton will go to the Feb. 5 game in Honolulu only if Jones or Novacek decide not to play.
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Jackie Slater (elbow, rib injuries) will get some work at right tackle in goal-line and short-yardage, as well as some on regular downs for Sunday’s game at Chicago.
“I might even run back a few punts,” Slater said.
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Cornerback Darryl Henley (groin) returned to practice Friday and is expected to start, Coach Chuck Knox said. . . . Defensive tackle Jimmie Jones (right ankle) also returned to practice. . . . Linebacker Chris Martin, quarterback Jamie Martin, defensive end Jay Williams and tight end Rickey Brady will be inactive.