Linebacker Chip Banks of the Cleveland Browns...

Linebacker Chip Banks of the Cleveland Browns has threatened to sit out the National Football League season unless he can get a new contract worth $500,000 or be traded to the Rams.

Banks made his comments in an interview with Browns News-Illustrated, a publication devoted to news about the team. Banks said that in addition to the pay raise from the $325,000 he is supposed to earn in 1986, he would like a guarantee against being pulled from the game on third-down plays. He set a deadline of July 26, the date veterans report to training camp.

The publication quotes team owner Art Modell as saying he will try to improve Banks’ role in 1986 defensive schemes. If that doesn’t work out, Modell said, he will try to trade Banks even though there was no guarantee he would go to the Rams.

The Rams, meanwhile, opened a week of drills for rookies and free agents, but just three of their selections in the recent NFL draft were on hand.

The three, the only draft picks who have signed contracts with the team, were sixth-round selection Lynn Williams, a running back out of Kansas; tackle Hank Goebel, a seventh-round selection from Cal State Fullerton; and Chul Schwanke, a running back from South Dakota (Vermillion) who was an 11th-round choice.

A total of 43 players were at the workout at Rams Park, including veteran quarterbacks Dieter Brock and Steve Dils.