RAM NOTEBOOK : Knox Has Eye on Two Seahawks, a Few Others

With more than a month left in the free-agency period, Ram Coach Chuck Knox has made it clear he doesn’t see Plan B as a cure-all and is limiting his attentions to a handful of players at select positions.

“We’re zeroing in on some people,� Knox said Wednesday. “We’re just going after some people, if we get them fine, and if we don’t get them, we don’t get them.�

Although it was originally believed Knox would attempt to raid his old Seattle Seahawk team for veteran leadership, Knox said Wednesday he is interested in only two of his former players who were left unprotected: running back Derek Loville and receiver Jeff Chadwick.

Chadwick, a nine-year veteran, is scheduled to come to Rams Park next month; Loville, a quick, 5-foot-9 third-year player from Oregon, probably won’t come down for a look.

“We don’t need to bring him in,� Knox said, “we know about him.�

Loville carried the ball 22 times for 69 yards last season. Chadwick caught 22 passes for 255 yards. Both are scheduled to visit several other teams.

As an indication of Knox’s desire to bring depth to the Ram offensive front, Cincinnati Bengal lineman Bruce Reimers was at Rams Park Wednesday and Green Bay center Blair Bush was expected either Wednesday or today.

“We need some help there, and if we can find it in Plan B, fine,� Knox said. “We’re looking for people who can come in and compete.�

Bush could fill the Rams’ need for a long snapper and could compete for the starting job at center, Knox said, which will probably be open because last year’s starter, Tom Newberry, probably will be moved back to guard.

The Rams also have taken looks at Phoenix punter-quarterback Tom Tupa and Bengals’ linebacker Carl Zander.

Knox, who has experience with the situation, said he had no reaction to tailback Cleveland Gary continuing his baseball career--Gary signed a minor league contract with the Angels this week--as long as football is his No. 1 priority.

“I don’t have any response because I haven’t had any chance to speak with Cleveland,� Knox said. “I guess football is what he wants to play. So he’ll be busy doing something athletically, I guess.

“I’ve had some guys who have played two sports, I had Bobby Joe Edmonds, a punt return guy who played baseball.�

Knox said he isn’t worried that Gary will be distracted by baseball.

“I’m expecting him to be here for the mini-camp and go from there,� Knox said.

The Rams will have their first camp with Knox beginning May 4, when quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and defensive backs assemble for drills and classes.

On Thursday of that week, the other veterans and the draftees will report for full-team workouts, which by current NFL rules, must end Sunday in order to get the draft picks back to college classes by Monday.

Knox has no other mini-camps planned.