PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Backup Spots Now at the Forefront

Virtually every starting spot has all but been decided, and Coach John Robinson said Thursday’s exhibition finale against the Houston Oilers at Memphis will decide more subtle things, such as who the top backup at each spot will be and which players will be cut.

“Getting the right 47 together seems to be more up in the air this year than most years,” Robinson said. “We have more decisions left undone at this point than I remember in most years.”

At the most competitive position, middle linebacker, Larry Kelm has won the spot, especially now that Frank Stams is sidelined again with a sore muscle in his right leg.

Thursday will mark the 1991 debut of fullback Buford McGee, who was signed last week and didn’t play in Saturday’s 23-7 loss to Seattle.

Defensive end Kevin Greene, who missed Saturday’s game with a sore right tricep muscle, and cornerback Robert Bailey, who broke a bone in his right hand in the exhibition opener against Atlanta, are expected to return Thursday.

Robinson said the team will cut some players today heading toward Tuesday’s NFL-mandated trim to 60. The Rams currently have 77 players on the roster. . . . The Rams still have made no official decision on whether to keep, trade or release disgruntled defensive tackle Doug Reed, who started Saturday night’s game. Robinson wouldn’t comment on the situation, other than to suggest the Rams still haven’t decided if Reed really fits into their defense. . . . Although Robinson had earlier said tailback Marcus Dupree wouldn’t play Saturday night, Robinson explained Sunday that he just wants Dupree to get playing time, even if his sore left toe has limited Dupree’s practice time. . . . Backup quarterback Chuck Long, according to Robinson, was a bright spot Saturday night. “I thought he played his best this season,” Robinson said while denying that a decision has been made whether Long or Mike Pagel will be Jim Everett’s main backup this season.