By Bill Coats
10/05/2007 3:37 pm
Dominique Byrd’s status with the Rams is tenuous, at best. Coach Scott Linehan was surprisingly candid Friday when asked what is keeping Byrd on the team. “A thread,” Linehan replied.
Byrd, a tight end from Southern Cal, was a third-round draft choice in 2006. He played in five games as a rookie, catching two passes for 39 yards and a touchdown. He is one of four tight ends on the roster this year and saw action in the first three games on special teams.
But he was left in St. Louis last weekend when the Rams traveled to Dallas because he missed a special-teams meeting during the week. That was just the latest indiscretion by Byrd, 23. And the least serious.
He’s scheduled for go to trial Oct. 16 in Los Angeles Superior Court on charges of driving without a license and DUI. He also is facing felony charges for assault and armed criminal action stemming from a Dec. 4 nightclub scuffle in St. Louis. Byrd pleaded not guilty to those charges and is scheduled for trial in December.
“He’s a good kid; honestly, I can tell you that,” Linehan said. “He’s a project, though. There’s a lot of maturing that needs to take place, and we’re presently going through that. I know he’s got it in him; we’ve just got to find it. It’s not going to be given to him.”
Asked whether progress was being made, Linehan said, “We’re taking baby steps. We’re moving that way.”
Still, he indicated that his patience is starting to wear thin. “I haven’t put a time limit on the thread,” Linehan said. “But it needs to turn into a rope or something a little more sturdy real quick.”
***
Isaac Bruce will be out Sunday with a hamstring injury. He’ll leave a large void, fellow wideout
Torry Holt stressed.
“It’s tough,” Holt said. “Isaac is such a staple of this football team and organization, period. To have him and his presence missing is a tremendous hit.”
***
One hundred breast cancer survivors will be honored on the field at halftime. Fans are asked to “bring a buck” to donate to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The activities are part of National City bank’s “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign, which features Bruce as spokesman.
***
Notes & quotes:
>>Jerome Carter probably will start for
Corey Chavous (pectoral) at SS, but look for Todd Johnson to sub in on passing downs.
>>CB Fakhir Brown, back from his four-game suspension, will start on the right side, with
Ron Bartell moving to the left side. Jonathan Wade will be the nickel back.
>>The visiting team has prevailed in the last four Rams-Cardinals meetings.
>>Donnie Jones’ net punting average of 49.6 yards in No. 2 in the NFL. He’s dropped eight punts inside the 20, which also ranks second.
>>At minus 3, the Rams are tied for 28th in turnovers.
All for now . . .
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