Packer Scout Will Check Out Ferragamo

The Rams, playing “Let’s Make a Deal,” will trot out Vince Ferragamo for the appraisal of the Green Bay Packers today.

Bob Schnelker, Packer offensive coordinator, will put the quarterback through his paces at Rams Park, paying special attention to the condition of Ferragamo’s right hand, which sidelined him last season with two disabling injuries.

If the hand is well, as it appears to be, the Packers are expected to make an offer, although owner Georgia Frontiere really doesn’t want to trade Ferragamo.

When the Rams signed Dieter Brock, a Canadian Football League star, two weeks ago, Frontiere agreed to put Ferragamo up for trade only after Coach John Robinson had convinced her it would be the only way to avoid a controversy.

“It was a painful thing, painful for all of us,” Robinson said Tuesday. “But it’s the right thing to do.”

The Rams want to trade Ferragamo before the National Football League draft April 30 and probably would settle for a third-round choice. Robinson did not indicate interest in Packer wide receiver John Jefferson, who is believed to be available.

The Packers’ starting quarterback is Lynn Dickey, who is 35. Green Bay also tried out Brock, 34, in seeking an experienced backup, then turned their interest to Ferragamo.

If the Packers take Ferragamo, 31, off the Rams’ payroll, it will save the Rams about $50,000 this season. Ferragamo’s contract calls for $600,000. Brock agreed to a guaranteed signing bonus of $300,000 and a salary of $250,000 each of his first two seasons.

Brock is due to be paid $400,000 in his third and fourth seasons for a total package of $1.6 million. Because he is deferring $100,000 each year into an annuity policy, Brock could make $2.75 million overall.