HOW THE RAMS LINE UP FOR ’94 : ON OFFENSE

Fullback

* The Starter: Tim Lester

* The Intern: James Bostic

* The Unknown: Howard Griffith

* At First Glance: That’s MISTER Lester

* Analysis: Lester’s the man, the talented one who clears the way for Bettis when running wide. Bostic better suited to run with the ball than block, which suggests he grab a seat on the bench and make himself comfortable. Why does Griffith persist in joining teams with good backs? Chargers liked him but didn’t need him.

Tight End

* The Starter: Troy Drayton

* Short On Beef: Travis McNeal, Rickey Brady

* Taking Up Space: Yonnie Jackson

* At First Glance: Bring back Pat Carter

* Analysis: A year ago Drayton was being compared to former Charger pass-catching tight end Kellen Winslow. Drayton now being likened to The Fridge after summer eating binge. Drayton’s best asset is catching the ball, so why become a two-ton tackle? Carter contributed handsomely to Bettis’ success on ground, but he’s in Houston now. Gaping hole at left tackle will require help from tight end, but McNeal and Brady aren’t Carter.

Center

* The Starter: Bern Brostek

* Lotto Winner: Blair Bush

* Just Hangin’ Around: Brad Fichtel

* At First Glance: Unchallenged starter

* Analysis: Rams’ line in shambles as camp opens, but Brostek provides stability up the gut. Bush holds on to best job in America, pulling down big bucks to waddle onto the field four or five times a game to work as deep snapper. Fichtel dines on Ram food for another year, waits for Brostek to slip on ice patch.

Guard

* The Starters: Leo Goeas, Tom Newberry

* Starter In Waiting: Bill Schultz

* Future Bouncers: Keith Loneker, Jeff Pahukoa, Chuck Belin

* At First Glance: Newberry in trouble

* Analysis: Newberry has guaranteed contract that prevented team from releasing him during off-season. Team contends privately that his play has dropped off and every effort will be made to replace him in starting lineup. Schultz, a tough guy with experience as a starter, is early favorite although he might also get look at tackle. There is some sentiment for Loneker, but unless they’re talking about using him to load the moving vans at season’s end, they’ve been watching too many “Death Wish” movies. Goeas didn’t miss a down and proved to be key acquisition a year ago. He has ability to play tackle, but he won’t get the call unless all else fails.

Quarterback

* The Starter: Chris Miller

* Accident Insurance: Chris Chandler

* Clipboard Duel: T.J. Rubley vs. Jamie Martin

* At First Glance: No wimp at QB

* Analysis: Miller wears No. 13 and in his spare time breaks mirrors and invites black cats to prance before him. The guy has had two operations on the same knee the past two seasons and now wants to play for the Rams, a team with no competent left tackle to protect his blind side. If allowed to remain healthy, he’s accurate, tough-minded and capable of wounding defenses packed in tight to stop Bettis. Chandler is a good golfer; 15-24 as a starting quarterback. Rubley appears tight, rattled by acquisition of Miller and Chandler. Martin was just a warm body a year ago, but insiders say he might have edge on Rubley to hold clipboard.

Tackle

* The Starters: Darryl Ashmore, Wayne Gandy

* “Baywatch” Rejects: Clarence Jones, Ron Edwards, Justin Starck

* Future Broadcaster: Jackie Slater

* At First Glance: Watch the sacks pile up

* Analysis: One word of advice for Miller: “Duck.” before draft, Rams put out word they wouldn’t take tackle because rookies historically don’t fare well. After taking Gandy they said there are always exceptions. But Gandy skipped June off-season workouts while negotiating a contract and will be the only thing standing between Miller and a pair of crutches. The ball boys have contributed more than Ashmore the past two years, and now he replaces a legend at right tackle in Slater. Jones failed to impress in off-season tryout, but became available later for cheaper price and now rates praise from Rams.

Tailback

* The Starter: Jerome Bettis

* True Grit: David Lang, Cleveland Gary, Johnny Bailey

* Say Goodby: Beno Bryant

* At First Glance: Ernie Zampese has moved to Dallas to coordinate offense for Troy Aikman, leaving running backs coach Chick Harris to direct Ram offense. Guess who gets the ball? Bettis, Bettis and more Bettis. Gary reported to Rams unhappy a year ago, but showed something by plugging away without complaint. Reliance on Bettis makes Gary a most valuable understudy. Lang is only running back on roster with home-run pop, but he’s still bothered by sore knee and won’t be ready for start of camp. Bailey escapes Buddy Ryan, agrees to do anything Chuck Knox wants.

Wide Receivers

* The Starter: Flipper Anderson

* Alvin Harper Audition: Jesse Hester, Chris Brantley, Sean LaChapelle, Nate Lewis, Greg McMurtry, Todd Kinchen, Isaac Bruce, Richard Buchanan

* Camp Fodder: Jeff Jones, Jermaine Ross, Turhon O’Bannon

* At First Glance: Hand the ball to Bettis

* Analysis: Henry Ellard has moved on to Washington, while Anderson begins play minus obvious companion on opposite side of the field. Anderson enters final year of his contract, thereby providing motivation to catch the ball this season. Cast of thousands has been assembled to make up for failed attempt to land Haywood Jeffires and Alvin Harper. Rookies will get best look and Brantley has already flashed go-deep speed. Bruce, team’s No. 2 choice, makes it no matter what he does. McMurtry makes up for tight end shortage with ability to go across middle. Kinchen still struggling with sore knee and LaChapelle, alias “The Turtle,” must overcome loss of his faithful companion, Jim Everett. Lewis needs to pick it up after sluggish first impression.