PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Delpino Missing From Check-In

Running back Robert Delpino, unhappy with his 1992 salary of $325,000 after being voted the team’s MVP last season, had not reported to camp by Tuesday evening, more than an hour after signed veterans were required to check in at UC Irvine.

Delpino skipped last month’s mini-camp in protest.

“I haven’t talked with him, so I really don’t know what his situation is,” Coach Chuck Knox said. “I need to talk with him.”

The front office has told Delpino that it won’t discuss any new deal for him until he reports to camp.

Also missing at the check-in meeting were tackle Jackie Slater and strong safety Michael Stewart. Neither is under contract. Also, No. 2 draft choice Steve Israel remains unsigned and out of camp.

The Rams announced the signings of tight end Pat Carter, receiver Aaron Cox, running back Marcus Dupree, punter Barry Helton, cornerback Darryl Henley and safety Anthony Newman.

Full-team workouts, twice a day, will begin this morning.

The Rams made it through their first scrimmage relatively unscathed and generally pleased with their performance against the San Diego Chargers at UC Irvine.

The Rams scored on an interception and 52-yard return by rookie safety Chris Crooms--although the Charger offense did not try its hardest to tackle him--and gave up a 43-yard touchdown pass from Pat O’Hara to Robert Claiborne.

“We made some mistakes, we turned some people loose as far as our blocking patterns were concerned on offense, and we didn’t play that post pattern very well they hit for a touchdown,” Knox said.

Ninth-round pick T.J. Rubley played quarterback for the Rams, looked relatively poised under a strong rush, and completed four of his nine passes for 59 yards. Free agent Matt Veatch was three for six for 37 yards.

Second-year running back David Lang led the Rams with 16 yards in five carries. He fumbled once.