PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Miller Says He Is Ready to Start

Quarterback Chris Miller said his right shoulder is fit and he is ready to start Sunday’s game at Green Bay, but Coach Chuck Knox refused to rule out injured Chris Chandler as a possible starter or backup.

Knox said that Miller probably will start against the Packers. But he added that if Chandler’s sprained left ankle showed enough improvement, he could start Chandler or make him the backup over Tommy Maddox.

“I’ll say right now that Chris Miller would be the starter,” Knox said. “‘We’ll have to see how he (Chandler) is doing and make a decision on whether he’s ready to go.”

How would Miller respond if Knox started Chandler? “That’s Chuck’s call,” Miller said. “I’ve prepared the best I have this week, and we still have some preparation left.”

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Green Bay’s rushing offense ranks 26th in the league. Ram tailback Jerome Bettis has out-rushed the Packers, 507 yards to 364.

But the Rams are concerned about Packer running backs Edgar Bennett, Reggie Cobb and rookie LeShon Johnson for another reason--their receiving skills.

Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre’s screen passes to his running backs have become the team’s staple this season and also have taken some of the heat off wide receiver Sterling Sharpe.

“The Packers are the best screen team I’ve seen in all my years in the NFL,” Ram assistant head coach Joe Vitt said. “They do a great job with their backs.”

Bennett leads all NFL running backs in receptions with 33 for 220 yards. Cobb has 14 catches for 134 yards, and Johnson has eight catches for 150 yards.

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Strong safety Marquez Pope wasn’t aware that the Rams’ public-relations staff has nicknamed him “the Pounding Pontiff” in press releases. Pope, never shy about a big hit or speaking his mind, came up with his own nickname.

“I’m the Cleanup Man,” he said. “I come in and clean it up out there.”

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The Rams have lost their last three games at Lambeau Field, last winning, 34-7, in the 1988 season opener. The Packers have outscored them, 64-19, in their last two regular-season meetings.