Rams’ Gary Is Fumbling for Answers : Pro football: Unhappy with contract and feeling unwanted, he has one question: ‘Why?’

BEREA, Ohio —  The question continues to go unanswered: Why has this time of uncertainty come for Ram running back Cleveland Gary?

“Let me tell you this, I have not unpacked my suitcase,” Gary said. “I’m the only back in the league who has rushed for more than 1,100 yards and caught more than 50 passes who is in this situation.

“It’s been there in USA Today, The Sporting News, everywhere that same question. Why? Why?”

Why did the Rams use a pair of top draft picks on running backs when they already had one of only four backs in the league last season to rush for more than 1,100 yards and catch at least 50 passes?

“You got a lot of high draft picks that come into the league and never perform,” said Gary before practicing against the Browns. “Me, I’m not going to bank on what may be. I’m going to bank on what’s happened.”

Does Gary live in limbo because he’s known as a fumbler? Nine in 1992--tops in the NFL for running backs; a dozen in 1990--tops in the NFL for running backs.

“Barry Foster had the same amount,” Gary said. “That can’t be it. Nope, that’s not it. There are certain things you just don’t know about. I can’t read their minds.”

Why did the Rams grant an unsigned Gary permission to seek second-round compensation during the off-season to play elsewhere rather than the first-round compensation called for by the collective bargaining agreement?

Why did the Rams notify other teams that they were willing to deal their leading rusher and receiver of a year ago?

“It looked as if there was a high probability of a trade,” said Jordan Woy, Gary’s agent. “By drafting Russell White and Jerome Bettis, they sent a message to Cleveland that he was probably not what they were looking for.

“What Cleveland needs to do now is handle it positively, be focused and have a super year. I’ve told him, don’t be surprised if you’re traded, don’t be surprised if you’re not traded.

“Regardless of what happens, he gets to explore the free agent market next year. I’ve talked to the Rams, and they felt they paid a lot more than they should have. I don’t think either side is particularly satisfied where it ended.”

Why did the Rams offer less money to Gary than that being offered and paid to other players around the league with comparable statistics?

“We approached the Rams about doing a long-term contract that would pay Cleveland an average of $1.2 million a year,” Woy said. “They had no interest in doing that, and when they drafted Bettis, that showed me why.

“For whatever reason (Coach) Chuck Knox did not give the nod to indicate that Cleveland was going to be the guy in the backfield for the next three or four years. Why, I don’t know. That’s a good question.”

Why do most people think Gary will be traded to Dallas once Bettis recovers from an ankle injury in a few weeks?

“The Cowboys are pretty shrewd,” Woy said. “Coach Jimmy Johnson knows talent, and the Cowboys are interested in picking him up. What does that tell you?”

Knox’s response to each and every question has drawn the same response: “From Day 1, I have said we want Cleveland Gary.”

Gary’s reply: “I don’t care what anybody tells me. I don’t believe anything. I go by what I see and how people have treated me.

“Have I been treated fairly here? No, I haven’t.”

The Rams signed Gary to a one-year contract for $700,000 with a right of first refusal last week. Woy said that if Gary approaches last year’s statistical performance, the right of first refusal will be voided and he will be free to move on without the Rams receiving compensation.

Gary, who always has been friendly and obliging, will not cause problems in the locker room or criticize team management. But it’s obvious the business of football has taken its toll.

“I don’t expect them to just love and embrace me,” Gary said. “I expect respect and to be treated fairly for what I have done. How do you treat me fairly? You pay me accordingly.

“You come in, you produce, but then you’ve got other backs, and you’ve pretty much done what they have done. I’ve got stats like these other guys. Why not be paid like these other guys?”

In addition to Gary, the only other backs to rush for more than 1,100 yards and catch at least 50 passes last season were Dallas’ Emmitt Smith, Houston’s Lorenzo White and Buffalo’s Thurman Thomas.

Smith has rejected Dallas’ $2-million offer and demanded $4 million a year. White has turned down Houston’s $1.5-million bid. Thomas will earn an average of $3.4 million over the next four years.

“Those three are going to make out well,” Gary said. “You look at them, and I don’t think it’s fair. (San Francisco’s) Ricky Watters is behind me in stats, and he’s making more money than I am.

“I’m not bitter or upset with the Rams. It’s impersonal; it’s a business. It really doesn’t bother me, but it’s like the writing is on the wall.”

A week ago, the Rams entertained trade offers from Dallas for Gary. The Cowboys have been unable to sign Smith, and they are concerned he will not report in time for the opening of the regular season. The Rams were listening with interest to Dallas until Bettis injured his ankle.

“I figured I was in Dallas or somewhere else,” Gary said. “When Bettis comes back, I know that’s a question that lies in the back of a lot of people’s minds. What’s going to happen to me? I really don’t know what’s going to happen.

“When he gets healthy, and if I got to go, then it will be: ‘It’s nice seeing you, no hard feelings.’ If that’s the case, so be it. I don’t take any of it personally.”

The Rams are not exactly sure when Bettis will be able to return. They have lost Anthony Thompson with a broken hand, and while he’s scheduled to return in time for the regular-season opener, a conservative Knox is not about to have him running with the ball and a soft cast on his hand. Running back David Lang, who figured prominently in the Rams’ plans, will be out for the next few months with a knee injury.

“There are so many questions, and no one has given me an answer,” Gary said. “But they don’t have to. The bottom line is being appreciated, and if somebody trades for me, it’s because they want me.

“People die of stress. You can’t take the money with you, so I’m not going to worry about what’s going to happen with me for a second. I have my wife, my kids, and I’ll be a happy man--no matter where I play football.”

The 1,100-50 Club

NFL backs who exceeded 1,100 yards rushing and 50 pass receptions in 1992:

Player Rushes Yards Receptions Yards Emmitt Smith 373 1,713 59 335 Thurman Thomas 312 1,487 58 626 Lorenzo White 265 1,226 57 641 Cleveland Gary 279 1,125 52 293