PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Maddox’s Contract Is Restructured

The Rams have restructured backup quarterback Tommy Maddox’s contract, reducing his salary from the $875,000 he was earning with the Denver Broncos to a one-year deal in excess of $500,000.

Although his salary was cut, Maddox will become a restricted free agent at the end of the contract if the Rams don’t re-sign him.

The Rams assumed the final two years of Maddox’s four-year, $4.4-million contract with Denver when they acquired him in an Aug. 27 trade, giving up a fourth-round draft pick.

The Rams covet Maddox, a third-year pro and former UCLA standout, for his value after this season. The Rams will be free to match any offer a team makes for him, and will receive draft picks as compensation should he sign elsewhere.

Maddox, who is third-string behind Chris Miller and Chris Chandler, has been inactive for the first three games of the season but could move to second-string if Miller, who has been battling shoulder and rib injuries, can’t play Sunday at Kansas City.

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Chandler, who played the last 2 1/2 seasons with Arizona, blamed the 0-3 Cardinals’ offensive woes on new Coach Buddy Ryan’s firing of offensive coordinator Jerry Rhome in the off-season.

“Getting rid of Jerry was their biggest mistake,” Chandler said. “Jerry didn’t get enough credit for the offense doing well, and when it didn’t go well, he got way too much of the blame.”

Arizona is ranked last in the NFL in total offense (242 yards per game) and has scored only three touchdowns this season. Cardinal quarterbacks Steve Beuerlein and Jim McMahon are ranked last in the league in passing efficiency, and Arizona averages only 69.3 yards per game rushing.

Rhome is now the Minnesota Vikings’ receivers coach.

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Coach Chuck Knox said the Rams are in the market for an offensive lineman and wide receiver because of injuries from Sunday’s loss to the 49ers. Offensive tackle Darryl Ashmore (sprained right knee ligament) and wide receiver Richard Buchanan (pulled right hamstring) are expected to miss two to three weeks.

With the injury to Ashmore, the Rams are expected to place starting left guard Keith Loneker, who suffered a fallen left arch against Atlanta two weeks ago, on injured reserve.

Cornerback Steve Israel (tendinitis in left knee) will miss a couple of days but should return to practice later in the week, Knox said.

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Defensive end Robert Young’s two sacks Sunday against San Francisco give him four for the season, tying him with five others for third place in the league. . . . A struggling Ram offense has given opportunity to punter Sean Landeta, who ranks third in the NFC with a 44.9 average.