PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Plenty of Seats Left for Falcons

The 16-0 victory over Kansas City, the verbal sparring between Anthony Newman and Andre Rison and the chance for the Rams to top the .500 mark at this point in the season for the first time since 1989 have not been enough to move fans to report to Anaheim Stadium.

The team announced Thursday that 39,194 tickets remain for Sunday’s game against the Falcons, which means fewer than 30,000 tickets have been distributed.

The Rams drew 56,479 two weeks ago for the game against San Francisco and 32,969 for the regular-season opener against Arizona.

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Joe Kelly, former Raider linebacker, knows something about rivalries and trash talk. The Falcons vs. the Rams is not a rivalry, Kelly said.

“If you lose 31-13 it’s not a rivalry,� Kelly said. “Denver and the Raiders, now that’s a rivalry. We’re talking wars, winning on the final kick year in and year out.

“Just exchanging words through the media isn’t a rivalry. It’s a joke to Atlanta--we lose, 31-13. We have to do something on the field before it’s a rivalry.�

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Starting right guard Leo Goeas was unable to practice because of a sore ankle, and his replacement, Chuck Belin, had to take a break for a second consecutive day because of an asthma attack. Brad Fichtel, who is on the practice squad and ineligible to play Sunday, got the bulk of practice.

Coach Chuck Knox said he is counting on Goeas’ return.

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Defensive lineman Jay Williams, who failed to make it with Miami and who had been on Green Bay’s practice squad, joined the Rams’ practice squad.

Defensive lineman Kevin Patrick was put on an injured list to make room for Williams.