Mike Mcdonald

During his career with the Los Angeles Rams, Mike McDonald has been slammed in the head by the San Francisco 49ers' 300-pound Michael Carter, flattened by the Dallas Cowboys' 265-pound Randy White and mulched by the New York Jets' 280-pound Joe Klecko. But nothing has prepared him for the abuse he is taking these days from 65-year-old school janitor Jules Kimmett and the Burbank City Council's 50-year-old Mary Lou Howard.

The Green Bay Packers signed former Ram linebacker Mike McDonald, a Plan B free agent.

Even if you believe in the power of the pen, you'd still be impressed to see the weight a Magic-Marker carries around Rams Park. A few strokes of blue felt against a board and a couple lives are changed. OFF: Mark Pattison. ON: Mike McDonald Just Tuesday, Pattison, a second-year receiver from the University of Washington, was talking about long-term goals and putting down roots in Southern California. Wednesday he was waived by the Rams.

The Rams released eight players Monday, including nine-year veteran linebacker Mike Wilcher, expendable because of his age and the Rams' decision to abandon their old four-linebacker system. "It was time for us to move on at that position," Coach John Robinson said. Wilcher, 31, said he wasn't surprised. "I hadn't been playing much, and with the new system, I don't know how well I was adjusting to it," he said. "I was waiting for it. I actually thought I was going to be gone last week."

The Green Bay Packers signed former Ram linebacker Mike McDonald, a Plan B free agent.

The Rams released eight players Monday, including nine-year veteran linebacker Mike Wilcher, expendable because of his age and the Rams' decision to abandon their old four-linebacker system. "It was time for us to move on at that position," Coach John Robinson said. Wilcher, 31, said he wasn't surprised. "I hadn't been playing much, and with the new system, I don't know how well I was adjusting to it," he said. "I was waiting for it. I actually thought I was going to be gone last week."

Life seems a never-ending game show for Mike McDonald, who is enjoying what amounts to an expenses-paid vacation in the Orient this week, courtesy of the Rams, who ask so little of him, really. The luckiest man in the world? Perhaps. McDonald is a professional center long-snapper. He snaps for field goals, punts and, some evenings, snaps his fingers for an occasional cocktail. And that's about it. Officially, he's listed as a linebacker, but that's only to impress his children.

If you've ever played a moment's worth of football--from Pop Warner to touch in the backyard--then you surely know the four most despised words in the game: "You hike the ball." In my old neighborhood, hiking the ball was the ultimate indignity and a rite of passage all wrapped into one. It was only slightly better than being told, "You block, and for jimminy sakes, keep the fat kid off me, will ya?"

If Al Campanis had to go, John Rocker has to go. Fair is fair. MIKE McDONALD North Hills

If Al Campanis had to go, John Rocker has to go. Fair is fair. MIKE McDONALD North Hills

Life seems a never-ending game show for Mike McDonald, who is enjoying what amounts to an expenses-paid vacation in the Orient this week, courtesy of the Rams, who ask so little of him, really. The luckiest man in the world? Perhaps. McDonald is a professional center long-snapper. He snaps for field goals, punts and, some evenings, snaps his fingers for an occasional cocktail. And that's about it. Officially, he's listed as a linebacker, but that's only to impress his children.

If you've ever played a moment's worth of football--from Pop Warner to touch in the backyard--then you surely know the four most despised words in the game: "You hike the ball." In my old neighborhood, hiking the ball was the ultimate indignity and a rite of passage all wrapped into one. It was only slightly better than being told, "You block, and for jimminy sakes, keep the fat kid off me, will ya?"

During his career with the Los Angeles Rams, Mike McDonald has been slammed in the head by the San Francisco 49ers' 300-pound Michael Carter, flattened by the Dallas Cowboys' 265-pound Randy White and mulched by the New York Jets' 280-pound Joe Klecko. But nothing has prepared him for the abuse he is taking these days from 65-year-old school janitor Jules Kimmett and the Burbank City Council's 50-year-old Mary Lou Howard.

Even if you believe in the power of the pen, you'd still be impressed to see the weight a Magic-Marker carries around Rams Park. A few strokes of blue felt against a board and a couple lives are changed. OFF: Mark Pattison. ON: Mike McDonald Just Tuesday, Pattison, a second-year receiver from the University of Washington, was talking about long-term goals and putting down roots in Southern California. Wednesday he was waived by the Rams.

Instead of borrowing from the bank, perhaps the Dodgers could have gotten a better rate if they had borrowed from the flaccid millionaires' club they created. MIKE McDONALD North Hills

Mike McDonald pitched a no-hitter as Mater Dei beat El Toro, 3-0, in a South Coast League baseball game Tuesday at El Toro. McDonald, a right-handed senior, struck out 10 for the Monarchs (8-1, 3-0 in league), ranked No. 1 in the county. McDonald also was two for three with an RBI.