OLD WOUNDS HEAL SLOW FOR L.A., NFL.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

Jack Teele, an executive for the Los Angeles Rams for 20 years, gazed down at the Coliseum field last week and did not attempt to conceal his melancholy.

He saw great things down there. Saw Roman Gabriel as a rookie quarterback. Was the one who coined the term ``Fearsome Foursome'' for Deacon Jones, Merlin Olson, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy. Saw the Rams coached by Bob Waterfield, George Allen, Tommy Prothro, Chuck Knox.

``I remember Ollie Matson running right up the middle against the Steelers for a 96-yard touchdown,'' Teele said wistfully.

``For the National Football League not to be in Los Angeles is just heartbreaking for me. I'm so saddened by it.''

The Rams moved to Anaheim in 1980, the Raiders moved into the Coliseum, and then 10 years ago both slipped out. And the NFL hasn't been seen in the Los Angeles area since.

``It's really kind of hard to imagine,'' said ex-Rams offensive tackle Jackie Slater. ``Here in Los Angeles there are wonderful fans, people who love the game, been around it and supported for years, generations and generations of football fans here.''

Only now there is a generational gap. A generation that has grown up with no rooting interest for a local NFL team, without L.A. heroes from the NFL.

``They've definitely lost a connection, especially with the younger generation,'' said Jim Hardy, the former USC and Rams quarterback who later spent 15 years as the Coliseum general manager.

Something has been lost, that very something the NFL has long feared losing but has been loath to admit has transpired.

Children who now become Lakers fans have some concept of who Jerry West and Magic Johnson were. Or if they become Dodgers fans, have some idea who Sandy Koufax and Steve Garvey were.

But there is no link to quarterback Norm Van Brocklin and receivers Elroy ``Crazy Legs'' Hirsch and Tom Fears, nothing to recall Gabriel or even Eric Dickerson and Jim Plunkett.

They once made movies about the Rams. The players would star as themselves. They were the first professional sports idols in Los Angeles. A link too weak for most to remember.

NFL executives will meet this week to address the Los Angeles situation and review the four sites vying to become the future home for a new L.A. franchise. They could eliminate one, or two, or even name a winner.

It's been such a prolonged, contrived road to return the NFL to Los Angeles, it's difficult to count on anything.

The Rams were the first major professional sports team to move to Los Angeles. It took no time for them to win the city over.

``Actually it happened when we first came in,'' said Matson. ``I figured from that point on, we would be here to stay.''

They stayed for 49 years.

``When the Rams left, I was kind of in shock,'' Slater said. ``I couldn't imagine the Rams playing football anywhere other than Southern California.

``But once it happened, I knew they were going to get football back in Southern California. I just didn't know it would take this long.''

Supposedly the soonest the NFL could resume play in Los Angeles is 2008, although you can typically add another year or two to that.

It's not hard to imagine there being an easy 15 years between NFL games in the Los Angeles area.

``I didn't think there would be a chance another team would come into Los Angeles because the NFL was angry at Los Angeles for bringing suit against them and collecting a lot of money with the Raiders,'' Hardy said. ``The commissioner was angry at Los Angeles and so were the owners.''

Now, however, even Hardy is confident the NFL is returning.

The Coliseum, long ago dismissed by NFL owners whose memories of games played there against the Raiders were of unruly crowds and rough neighborhoods, has persevered and somehow reinvented itself in their eyes to become the site favorite.

The NFL is apparently coming back, despite any true public outcry.

``What scares me the most is I feel a certain apathy on the part of L.A. fans,'' Teele said. ``Is it the uninhibited television they enjoy seeing the top teams every weekend or what?

``I suppose I'm not out amongst them as much as I used to be, but I don't see as much groundswell for it as I would like to see. I'm sure it's there, but it's untapped at the moment.''

So many people live in the Los Angeles area that the NFL is guaranteed a successful return, even with the skipped generation.

``I don't think it would hurt it at all,'' Hardy said. ``There are just so many people here. I think the day will come when you'll see an NFL team in both Los Angeles and Anaheim. This is such a population hub.''

That population, of course, was here when the Rams and Raiders left. A day that old Rams still struggle to fathom.

``I couldn't believe what I saw,'' Matson said.

He would like to believe they will return, but isn't sure. All the NFL veterans from days past, with links to a golden era, would like to believe it.

``At this point, I'm not sure of anything on it,'' Teele said. ``But I'm praying they get somebody back.''