PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Despite Fumbles, Gary Keeps Job

Although his vote of confidence for tailback Cleveland Gary was less definitive than in previous days, Coach Chuck Knox on Monday said Gary remains his main tailback.

Gary, who has carried for 981 yards this season, fumbled twice more in Sunday’s loss to the New Orleans Saints, has now fumbled away three balls in the last two games and has fumbled eight times overall this season.

Two years ago, Gary ruined an otherwise productive season by fumbling 12 times, losing eight. And last year, he was benched after fumbling on the Rams’ first possession of the regular season, was injured and never was a major factor.

This year, 10 games into the season, he appeared to have both negatives--nagging injuries and fumbling--licked.

But after a four-game period from Oct. 18 to Nov. 15 in which Gary rushed for 435 yards and scored seven touchdowns and seemed headed for a 1,200-yard rushing season and a Pro Bowl berth, Gary has spent the last month injured or fumbling or both.

In the last four games, limited by a sore ankle, he has gained only 153 yards in 47 carries, scored no touchdowns and fumbled three times.

“Sometimes it goes in spurts,� Knox said Monday. “I know we were in a stretch this year where Cleveland Gary was gaining a lot of yards and he wasn’t turning (the ball) over. So hopefully we can get it back to that.

“He is (the starter) right now, and we don’t make personnel decisions on Monday. But he’s an excellent back, and he made a great run yesterday (gaining 28 yards two plays before his second fumble).

“I’m hoping we can get this other phase of it corrected.�