A SPECIAL REPORT: LOCAL NFL STARS

Last Laugh

Los Angeles lost its NFL football team, and the San Fernando Valley never had one. But the Valley has been home to several NFL players. Among them, Erik Kramer might be the least likely--he couldn’t make first-string quarterback at Burroughs High. Now in his 10th pro season, Kramer, below, is the established leader of the Chicago Bears. As he recently said: “I’ve been underestimated a lot.”

Big Money

Agoura High alumnus Todd Steussie made his first Pro Bowl last season. Then he made a lot of money. During the off-season, the Minnesota Vikings gave him a $22-million, five-year contract, the richest yet for an offensive lineman.

Size Matters

At 5-11, 234 pounds, Jamal Anderson is a “tweener,” not big enough for fullback, not lithe enough for tailback. But he seems just right for gaining yards. The former El Camino Real High standout is trying for a third consecutive 1,000-yard season with the Atlanta Falcons.

New Kid

Shaun Williams was a star at Crespi High and UCLA. Now he’s starting over as a New York Giants rookie. “It’s like you’re thrown into a class six weeks late with all upperclassmen,” he told Sports Illustrated. Williams must be a quick study--he had three tackles in a season-opening victory over the Washington Redskins.