Troy Drayton

His initials also stand as his nickname and just maybe a promise of what is to come for the Rams. They are tattooed on his right arm and they adorn the gold stud in his left ear: 'T.D." Touchdown Troy Drayton, the Rams' No. 2 draft pick, is a 265-pound--and that's no typographical mistake--pass-catching tight end who can cover 40 yards in less than 4.7 seconds. He has been the most impressive upon first glance at Ram mini-camp this weekend.

* Story line: In a shocking development, someone must win this game, which means it could go on and on. Each team was 8-2 at one point, and their coaches proclaimed geniuses. Now they barely know how to win. The Seahawks lost five of their last six and will be playing their first home playoff game since 1984. The Dolphins will make their third playoff appearance under Coach Jimmy Johnson, and possibly their last if rumors that Johnson is contemplating retirement are true.

The St. Louis Rams, who didn't complete a pass to either of their backup tight ends in their 26-16 victory over Cincinnati, likely will get starter Troy Drayton back from a knee injury for Sunday's game at San Francisco. Drayton sat out the entire preseason after knee surgery. * The Minnesota Vikings won't know until at least Thursday whether quarterback Warren Moon will be ready for Sunday's game at Atlanta. He sprained his right ankle and left foot Sunday.

New York Jets at Miami 6 p.m., channel 7 * The line: Miami by 3 1/2. * Injuries: Jets--QUESTIONABLE: S Steve Atwater (hamstring); DT Jason Wiltz (toe). Dolphins--QUESTIONABLE: WR Oronde Gadsden (ribs); RB J.J. Johnson (hamstring); WR O.J. McDuffie (toe). PROBABLE: TE Troy Drayton (knee); TE Hunter Goodwin (back); LB Robert Jones (triceps); CB Patrick Surtain (concussion); DE Jason Taylor (ankle); S Shawn Wooden (quadriceps).

New York Jets at Miami 6 p.m., channel 7 * The line: Miami by 3 1/2. * Injuries: Jets--QUESTIONABLE: S Steve Atwater (hamstring); DT Jason Wiltz (toe). Dolphins--QUESTIONABLE: WR Oronde Gadsden (ribs); RB J.J. Johnson (hamstring); WR O.J. McDuffie (toe). PROBABLE: TE Troy Drayton (knee); TE Hunter Goodwin (back); LB Robert Jones (triceps); CB Patrick Surtain (concussion); DE Jason Taylor (ankle); S Shawn Wooden (quadriceps).

The Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams both sought to rectify glaring weaknesses, with the Rams acquiring offensive lineman Bill Milner in exchange for tight end Troy Drayton. "This is an old-fashioned NFL trade--player for player, win, win for both teams," Ram General Manager Steve Ortmayer said. "We get a young, quality lineman for a tight end who helps Miami immediately." Following the deal, the Dolphins released 11-year veteran Keith Byars.

The Rams, who began training camp without any tight ends, signed two--veteran Travis McNeal, to a one-year contract, and Troy Drayton, their second-round pick. Drayton signed a three-year deal for $1.3 million. Drayton's first-year salary, which includes a reporting bonus, will be $365,000 in guaranteed money, according to NFL Players Assn. sources. Drayton will earn $456,250, which includes a $175,000 reporting bonus, in 1994 and $547,500 in the third year of the deal.

Running back Jerome Bettis and tight end Troy Drayton, drafted to beef up the Rams' offense this season, were no-shows for the opening of training camp Sunday evening. The Rams have $1.1 million remaining from their $2.139 million rookie salary cap to divide between Bettis and Drayton, but to date have been unable to satisfy their top two draft picks. Jay Zygmunt, Ram senior vice president, declined to comment Sunday. Bettis' agent, C.

Everything was beautiful. The Rams looked for their tight end. They found him. Touchdown. But a penalty was called on the play. So, the Rams called the same play again. They looked for their tight end. They found him. Touchdown. A tight end is like a mind. It's a terrible thing to waste. Me, Troy Drayton said. Throw the ball to me. Here I am. You can't miss me. I'm 6-3. I'm 255 pounds. Look at me in this mellow yellow uniform. I'm easy to spot. I look like a big canary.

The way things are going, a frustrated Troy Drayton couldn't be blamed for thinking it's a conspiracy: The 49ers rushed out to sign cornerback Deion Sanders just to make sure the tight end's streak without a catch remains intact Sunday. Not true, said Gary Plummer, football historian and San Francisco linebacker, the Rams need no help; they will make sure Drayton doesn't catch the ball. "I can put it in two words," Plummer said. "Chuck Knox." The Ram coach has made a blocker out of Troy Drayton.

The Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams both sought to rectify glaring weaknesses, with the Rams acquiring offensive lineman Bill Milner in exchange for tight end Troy Drayton. "This is an old-fashioned NFL trade--player for player, win, win for both teams," Ram General Manager Steve Ortmayer said. "We get a young, quality lineman for a tight end who helps Miami immediately." Following the deal, the Dolphins released 11-year veteran Keith Byars.

The St. Louis Rams, who didn't complete a pass to either of their backup tight ends in their 26-16 victory over Cincinnati, likely will get starter Troy Drayton back from a knee injury for Sunday's game at San Francisco. Drayton sat out the entire preseason after knee surgery. * The Minnesota Vikings won't know until at least Thursday whether quarterback Warren Moon will be ready for Sunday's game at Atlanta. He sprained his right ankle and left foot Sunday.

Everything was beautiful. The Rams looked for their tight end. They found him. Touchdown. But a penalty was called on the play. So, the Rams called the same play again. They looked for their tight end. They found him. Touchdown. A tight end is like a mind. It's a terrible thing to waste. Me, Troy Drayton said. Throw the ball to me. Here I am. You can't miss me. I'm 6-3. I'm 255 pounds. Look at me in this mellow yellow uniform. I'm easy to spot. I look like a big canary.

The way things are going, a frustrated Troy Drayton couldn't be blamed for thinking it's a conspiracy: The 49ers rushed out to sign cornerback Deion Sanders just to make sure the tight end's streak without a catch remains intact Sunday. Not true, said Gary Plummer, football historian and San Francisco linebacker, the Rams need no help; they will make sure Drayton doesn't catch the ball. "I can put it in two words," Plummer said. "Chuck Knox." The Ram coach has made a blocker out of Troy Drayton.

The scowl on Troy Drayton's face reflected how the Ram tight end felt about being likened recently to William (Refrigerator) Perry. Simply a joke, Troy. "Not funny," he said. A while back, the planet had tipped in Drayton's direction, but as he was quick to point out, he is now only three pounds over last season's playing weight of 257. "I had a plan," Drayton said, "to come in as strong as I could, and to get strong I had to put on a little weight."

The scowl on Troy Drayton's face reflected how the Ram tight end felt about being likened recently to "The Fridge." Just a joke, Troy. "Not funny," Drayton said. Although admittedly angry, Drayton sat down for an interview at the Rams' UC Irvine training camp, and the chair did not break. A while back, the planet had tipped in Drayton's direction, but as he was quick to point out Monday, he is now only three pounds over his playing weight of 257 last season. "I had a plan," Drayton said.

* Story line: In a shocking development, someone must win this game, which means it could go on and on. Each team was 8-2 at one point, and their coaches proclaimed geniuses. Now they barely know how to win. The Seahawks lost five of their last six and will be playing their first home playoff game since 1984. The Dolphins will make their third playoff appearance under Coach Jimmy Johnson, and possibly their last if rumors that Johnson is contemplating retirement are true.

The Rams chose Notre Dame fullback Jerome Bettis with their first-round pick Sunday, then gave offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese a pass-catching tight end in the Pete Holohan mold in the second round of the NFL draft. In addition, in a surprise move that might suggest a lack of confidence in Cleveland Gary, the Rams spent a third-round pick on California running back Russell White.

Troy Drayton joined the Rams last spring as a draft-day bargain, potential dripping from his sure-handed fingertips. Surely he would develop into the steady tight end the Rams haven't had since Pete Holohan left for Kansas City after the 1990 season. Since then, those expectations have given way to confusion about Drayton's playing time, his role in the offense and his troubles learning the plays.

In April, their addition to the Ram roster provided promise. In August, their exhibition play sparked anticipation. In October, tight end Troy Drayton, running back Russell White and wide receiver Sean LaChapelle have all but disappeared. "We think other guys are better," said Ernie Zampese, Ram offensive coordinator. "If we thought these guys were better, we'd play them."