Rams Get a Much-Needed Tight End From Lions
The team without an operable tight end went straight to a team that didn’t need one Friday when the Rams acquired Pat Carter from the Detroit Lions in a trade that will allow one team to resume normal practice sessions.
The Rams, gutted at the position because of one key holdout and several injuries, gave up a fourth-round pick next year for Carter, a second-round choice of the Lions in 1988.
The Lions could part with Carter because they are now operating Mouse Davis’ run-and-shoot offense, which doesn’t require a tight end.
“He doesn’t fit in the program anymore,” Ram Coach John Robinson said.
Carter will fit in to this one as soon as he steps off the plane. In fact, Robinson said his new tight end would play in Monday night’s exhibition game against the Phoenix Cardinals.
The Rams were left this week without an available tight end because of Damone Johnson’s holdout and injuries to Pete Holohan, Vernon Kirk, Richard Ashe and Gary Knudson.
Robinson said the trade was not primarily made to pressure Johnson, who is signed but not in camp. A little squeeze never hurts, though.
“We’re not trying to punish Damone,” Robinson said. “. . . It’s related to some degree to Damone’s absence, but if Damone was here, we were (still) concerned about depth at the position.”
The Rams had been searching for a blocking tight end to replace Eric Sievers all along, but suddenly had lost the luxury of time.
Carter (6-feet-4, 250) was quite a prospect coming out of Florida State, but was slowed by a back injury suffered in training camp as a rookie. Carter, 23, started 14 games for Detroit last season, finishing with 13 receptions.
He did not appear in the Rams’ 17-10 victory over the Lions last September at Anaheim Stadium, a game in which quarterback Jim Everett hit Johnson on a four-yard scoring pass for the game-winner.
Ram Notes
Gaston Green is doubtful for Monday’s game because of a thigh bruise. Robert Delpino likely will start at tailback, though he’s also hobbling with a thigh injury. Guard Mark Schmidt also is out after suffering a concussion at practice this week. . . . The Rams will hold guard Tom Newberry out another week, though he’s practicing at full speed after suffering an off-season hamstring pull.
