Now It’s Rams on Lookout for No. 1

The St. Louis Rams wanted the opportunity to select Ohio State tackle Orlando Pace in the NFL draft Saturday, the New York Jets obliged Thursday and now USC defensive tackle Darrell Russell has no idea where he will begin his professional career.

The Rams, who misfired on the selection of offensive tackle Wayne Gandy in the first round of the 1994 draft in their final year in Los Angeles, will try again with the 6-foot-6, 337-pound Pace after trading their sixth slot in the first round and picks in the third, fourth and seventh rounds.

“He’s the No. 1 most dominant guy,” Ram Coach Dick Vermeil said. “If we hold the pick, it will be Orlando Pace. As I explained to [Pace], what we do with this pick will be what we think is best for the organization.

“To be in a position to start a new program with the No. 1 is almost overwhelming.”

USC’s Ron Yary, selected in 1968 by Minnesota, was the last offensive tackle to be the first player taken in the draft. The Rams haven’t had the first pick of the draft since 1962, when they took Oregon State’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Terry Baker, who turned out to be one of the worst picks in draft history.

The Rams’ trade with the Jets, while changing Russell’s life, also will have a considerable impact on the Oakland Raiders, who had traded with New Orleans earlier for the second slot and the opportunity to take Pace.

The Jets appeared settled on Russell as the draft’s first choice because of Coach Bill Parcells’ record of improving his team’s defense and because of no apparent need for an offensive tackle.

There had been questions raised, however, about Russell’s competitiveness, and at a recent workout at USC he had angered coaches and general managers after running a 40-yard dash, complaining of a hamstring injury and then leaving.

Russell said he had explained himself to those in attendance, and an irritated USC Coach John Robinson said, “The people who say this kid doesn’t put out are the stupid people.”

Parcells defended Russell in a news conference a week ago but also discussed the attractiveness of acquiring additional picks if given the chance. The Jets surrendered third- and fourth-round picks to the New England Patriots in this draft as part of an agreement to allow Parcells to coach the team.

The Detroit Lions offered the Jets extra picks to swap places, but the Rams offered more and now the Jets will select sixth, in place of the Rams.

Will they still get the opportunity to grab Russell?

If the Raiders stay where they are, they most likely will take Ohio State cornerback Shawn Springs or Florida State offensive tackle Walter Jones. The Seattle Seahawks traded with Atlanta for the third position, but if Springs is gone they will look at Russell, Texas cornerback Bryant Westbrook and Florida State defensive end Peter Boulware.

The Baltimore Ravens select fourth, and they have expressed a desire to retreat in the draft, but if compelled to pick they would lean toward Boulware.

The Lions come next and they are in need of a cornerback or linebacker--possibly leaving Russell where he started in the first place--with the Jets.

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1997 NFL Draft Facts

* WHAT: 62nd NFL draft.

* WHERE: The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City.

* WHEN: 9 a.m. PDT, Saturday (Rounds 1-3); 8 a.m. PDT, Sunday (Rounds 4-7).

* PROCEDURE: Representatives of the 30 NFL clubs by telephone with their general managers, coaches and scouts.

* TIME LIMITS: 15 minutes per team for Round 1; 10 minutes per team for Round 2; 5 minutes per team Rounds 3-7.

* TV COVERAGE: ESPN, Saturday (9 a.m.-4 p.m.); ESPN2, Saturday (4 p.m.-conclusion); ESPN, Sunday (8-10 a.m.); ESPN2, Sunday (10 a.m.-conclusion).

* TICKETS: Tickets are available to the public, beginning at 9 a.m. EDT Saturday, on a first-come, first-serve complimentary basis.