Some 21 summers ago, a rookie quarterback from the University of Idaho was called into the office of the Dallas Cowboys’ head coach and told that he was being released. That quarterback was Scott Linehan, and that head coach was Tom Landry.

Impressed that a future Hall of Famer would take the time to deliver the bad news in person, Linehan determined that if he ever became a head coach, he would do the same. And during his three seasons with the Rams, he’s kept that vow: Every player who is let go has a sit-down with Linehan.

“It’s important that those guys know we appreciate their efforts,” he explained. “They’ve been here, most of them, from OTAs all the way through (training camp at) Concordia and back here. It’s a lot of hard work, and they need to know it did not go unnoticed.”

On Tuesday, Linehan met with running back Lavarus Giles, kicker Justin Medlock and wide receiver Shaine Smith as the Rams chopped their roster from 80 to the required 75. The other two spots were taken care of when rookie cornerback Justin King, who had season-ending toe surgery, was placed on injured reserve and running back Steven Jackson was granted a roster exemption through Friday because of his 27-day holdout.

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Notes & quotes:

>>Linehan plans to start QB Trent Green on Thursday in KC, then let Brock Berlin and Bruce Gradkowski have a final duel in the fight for the No. 3 job. First-teamer Marc Bulger isn’t expected to play.

>>One goal for the Governor’s Cup tilt is better special-teams play after a sloppy performance last Saturday vs. the Ravens. The Rams gave up a blocked punt, a long return, and Medlock sailed a kickoff out of bounds.

>>LB Will Witherspoon’s groin injury is a bit worse than first thought and is causing some concern in the Rams camp.

>>Linehan is a firm defender of WR Drew Bennett. “He’s holding himself accountable to a very high standard, and he will play good football for us,” Linehan said.

>>Second-year WR Derek Stanley, who had a good start to camp but then leveled out some, has made some nice, high-leaping catches in practice this week.

>>RB Steven Jackson, on a crash course of preparation for the regular-season opener, was “really sharp” in practice Tuesday, Linehan noted. “I was happy to see, because you always worry about having a little rust on you if you haven’t been out there in a while.”

>>The final 53-man roster must be determined by Saturday afternoon, and several jobs remain open. “It’s never too late,” Linehan said.

All for now . . .