Goebel Takes Chances and Rejoins the Rams Despite His Misgivings

Offensive tackle Hank Goebel, a member of the real Rams until the team’s final September roster cut, walked back into camp on Monday as a member of the non-union Rams.

He awaits the slings and arrows of former teammates and friends, who man picket lines outside practice field fences.

“If they have hard feelings for me I’ll accept it,” Goebel said. “In my heart I don’t feel 100% right.”

It was perhaps the toughest call of Goebel’s young life, a decision based only on economics, he said. For unlike most other non-union players, Goebel seems to have a future in the league.

“Hank is definitely going to play in the NFL,” Ram Coach John Robinson said. “He’s a big fellow, a young fellow who’s gradually growing into his body.”

Goebel, 6 feet 7 inches and 280 pounds, was the Rams’ eighth-round pick out of Cal State Fullerton in 1986. He spent last season on injured reserve.

Had National Football League rosters been expanded from 45 to 49 players this season, Goebel would have likely made the Rams’ final roster.

He also would have likely been invited to NFL training camps next summer. Goebel said he couldn’t afford to wait.

But in the eyes of striking players, Goebel will forever be a marked man for crossing union picket lines.

“A scab is a scab,” veteran defensive lineman Reggie Doss said. “He’s trying to kill what we’re trying to get going.”

Doss, a 10-year veteran, said Goebel will not be welcomed back by the Rams or by any other team.

“It’ll be intense for him,” Doss said. “I’m disappointed, to say the least.”

Linebacker Kevin Greene said he also sees no future in the league for Goebel.

“These people, in my mind, will be weeded out of the league,” Greene said. “If they were good enough, they would have made the final roster. But they’ll be weeded out because they won’t be able to get along with their teammates.”

Goebel said he gave the notion considerable thought but decided it was better to be seen now and be scorned later.

“I could have been a salesman,” Goebel said. “Anyone in America could be a salesman. That’s not what I do. It was simply a matter of dollars and cents. I’m not going to go out to a bar and say, ‘Hey, I’m on the L.A. Rams.’ That’s not what I’m doing here.”

Robinson said the exposure in non-union games would benefit Goebel greatly.

“I don’t see how he’d hurt himself,” Robinson said. “If you’re a football player, you’ve got to have a chance to play. If these games go to three games that’s a lot of film in the off-season to evaluate people.”

Ram Notes

The non-union Ram roster ballooned to 50 players over the weekend. The team more than doubled its manpower at offensive line, moving from three players to seven (you need five to play). New signees include former L.A. Express defensive linemen and USC players Dennis Edwards (USC) and Charles Ussery. Plus, wide receiver Rodney Goosby (UNLV), running back Thomas Jefferson (New Mexico), nose tackle Chris Pacheco (Fresno State), tackle Joe Murray (USC) and tight end James McDonald (USC). . . . Hey, didn’t that used to be my number dept: Because of the increase in roster size, some familiar Ram numbers have been given to non-union players. Number 91, formerly worn by linebacker Kevin Greene, is now on the back of Edwards. “They gave away my number?” a shocked Greene said when told on the picket line. “They gave away Kevin Greene’s number?” . . . A number of other number changes: 89 (Ron Brown) is now Samuel Johnson; 80 (Henry Ellard) is Steve Marks; 71 (Reggie Doss) is Ussery. . . . Still, for the taking, No. 29 . . . Non-union guard Tom Ruiz broke his ankle at Monday’s practice and is out for the season, whatever that is. . . . The Rams will sign offensive lineman Tom Cox today. He’ll be the 10th non-union Ram who attended USC. Cox will wear No. 72, presently worn by Robert Cox. . . . The real Rams will hold a practice Wednesday at Golden West College in Huntington Beach.