Gary Stays Upbeat Despite Reduced Role : Rams: Running back is frustrated but keeps a positive attitude, practices hard and praises Bettis.

ANAHEIM — A year ago Cleveland Gary ran 279 times for the Rams; now he must wait for Jerome Bettis to lose a shoe before getting a chance to carry the football.

“I saw he was having trouble with his shoe, I heard them say, ‘Cleveland,’ and so I was ready to do damage,” Gary said. “I stepped in that huddle and I was at home again.”

Quarterback T.J. Rubley handed the ball to Gary on third and one, and he gained four yards and a first down, while Bettis continued to struggle with his shoe on the sideline.

“I ran toward the sidelines after carrying the ball and they told me to go back in,” Gary said. “I said, ‘Geez, you mean they’re going to give me another play? All right, I’ll take it.’ ”

Gary ran for 14 yards on the next play, and now, like the good old days, he was going back to the huddle ready to reload and run again.

“But his shoe was back on,” Gary said, “and that was it.”

Two carries, 18 yards, thanks for the memories.

“Every player wants to contribute in a big-time way and if someone says they don’t, I have no respect for them,” Gary said. “I’m happy for Jerome and his success, and I think it would be great if he won the rushing title. It would be a well-deserved rushing title.

“I take my hat off to Jerome, but at the same time I’m not diminishing the skills that I have. Given the opportunity, there’s no doubt in my mind that I could win a rushing title.”

After 14 games, the Rams have given Gary 73 opportunities to carry the ball. Bettis has run 239 times and will continue to get the ball as long as he stands on two healthy legs.

In addition to spending much of his time on the bench, Gary has lost the chance to win his freedom from the Rams at season’s end. After a lengthy holdout before this season, Gary agreed to sign a one-year contract and give the Rams first-right-of-refusal in the event another team wished to sign him next year.

Gary’s contract also provided an escape clause, which would have negated the Rams’ first-right-of-refusal should he enjoy the kind of success he had in 1992. Bettis’ development, however, deprived Gary of that opportunity.

Like quarterback Jim Everett, who was a main character before being pushed aside in favor of Rubley, Gary has become frustrated with his role as sideline spectator. But unlike Everett, who has pouted and griped about his diminished role, Gary has remained positive.

He has praised Bettis and wished him well, and yet he continues to practice like a player who will carry the ball 30 times this Sunday. Coach Chuck Knox told the players that videotape tells no lies, and if afforded the chance to perform, take advantage of it.

And Gary has. In his last two games, he has rushed eight times for 54 yards--an average of 6.8 yards. In the last two games Bettis has averaged 6.5.

Everett blames the media for his demise. After Rubley relieved him earlier this season and nearly brought the Rams back from defeat, Everett declined to praise Rubley and instead criticized the coaching staff. Later, after Rubley was promoted to starter, Everett told CBS-TV’s John Madden, “Now we’ll find out if I’m the reason we’re 2-5.”

No such nonsense from Gary. He not only accepted his backup role without a grumble, but went on to impress the coaching staff with his work ethic in practice.

“Some people might have expected him to dog it or be upset, but it hasn’t been that way with Cleveland at any time,” said Chuck Harris, Ram running backs coach. “That’s what a pro is all about. I mean this guy is first class. He’s come to work every day and prepared like he’s the starter. He’s done scout-team work, worked on making sure all his skills are right and I have nothing but great things to say about Cleveland Gary.

“I think he’s even running better with the ball, and that’s because of how hard he has worked in practice. You can see it when he’s running in the games, there’s more niftiness there.”

Gary led the Rams in rushing and receiving a year ago, but now the spotlight is on Bettis. After 14 games last season Gary had gained 1,265 all-purpose yards; Bettis presently has 1,388 and might be headed to the Pro Bowl.

“I think I have remained very positive and I believe it shows on the field,” Gary said. “This is no place for any other kind of behavior. Jerome’s a good back, a powerful back, and he’s done the job. The only thing that’s on my mind is doing the best I can and doing the things they want me to do.

“Pouting and moping doesn’t solve problems. The team doesn’t need that kind of garbage talk. Obviously I’m anxious to get in the game, and while I’m not on the field much, that hasn’t stopped me from trying to improve and learn more about my position.

“I don’t know where it’s going to take me, and I’m not even going to think about it until after these two very important football games.”

The Rams will finish the season against Cleveland and Chicago, and unless an earthquake swallows Bettis or he falls down with an injury, Gary won’t figure in the team’s plans.

“But I’m not finished,” Gary said. “Given the opportunity, I’ve done it once and gained more than 1,000 yards and I’ll do it again. I have to wait and see what happens, but there’s no doubt in my mind I’ll get another opportunity. And when I do, I’ll do it better.”