Rams : Robinson Needs Reinforcements

After two road games to open the exhibition season, the Rams have learned how to eat with chopsticks and reset their watches in five time zones. Now, what about this little thing called football?

Coach John Robinson hopes to turn attention to the field this week, as he starts building in earnest for the regular season. Construction has been difficult what with passports, baggage claim, injuries and holdouts to contend with.

This week, some of the wounded return. Left guard Tom Newberry, who pulled a hamstring last spring while running in the waves of Miami Beach, finally joins the offensive line rotation, although he may sit out another game as a precaution. Also returning are cornerback Darryl Henley, who sprained an ankle in Tokyo, safety Anthony Newman, rebounding from a shin bruise, and nose tackle Al Wright (hamstring).

Starting receiver Aaron Cox and his tender hamstring might even be ready.

“I hope so,” Robinson said. “We’re a little perplexed by it.”

This also would seem a good week to settle differences with two unsigned first-round draft choices, Bill Hawkins and Cleveland Gary, and four holdouts, including starters Greg Bell, Duval Love and Damone Johnson.

“They’re running out of time now in terms of what we’re capable of waiting for,” Robinson said of players with unfinished paper work. “We’re starting to get to the point now that not practicing begins to be a factor in deciding who plays and who doesn’t, who makes the team and who doesn’t.”

Ram Notes

Wide receiver Henry Ellard’s sprained ankle, suffered in Saturday night’s 17-13 loss to Denver, will only force him out of one or two practices, Coach John Robinson said. . . . The longer right guard Duval Love holds out, the more Robinson becomes impressed with rookie guard Warren Wheat. . . . Apparently no one has told linebacker Kevin Greene that these games don’t count. He had two sacks on Denver quarterback John Elway in the first quarter. “He might have had a field day had he continued to play,” Robinson said. . . . Robinson also held tailback Gaston Green back a bit because of a leg bruise. Green carried only nine times for 18 yards. “It was getting sore and I didn’t want him to miss any time on the practice field,” Robinson said.