Rams Apparently Drop Rights to Carson, Overriding Robinson

The Rams need an inside linebacker to replace the injured Jim Collins, but the front office apparently has overridden the wishes of Coach John Robinson and sent Howard Carson on his way.

Carson’s agent, John Marchiano, believes the reason may be spite, since his client left the Rams as a free agent after the 1983 season to become a starter for the Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League.

Carson and Marchiano were on the sidelines during the Rams’ Friday afternoon practice at Cal State Fullerton. They said that Robinson had indicated on the phone to Carson in Austin, Tex., last week that he would like to have him back, then called back 10 minutes later to “put it on hold.”

The Rams retained Carson’s National Football League rights but, according to Carson and Marchiano, have refused to offer him a contract or release him to negotiate with another NFL team.

Robinson said after practice, however, that the Rams had released their rights. “The Rams have decided not to negotiate with Howard and have given him permission to talk to other teams,” Robinson said. “Anything else you’ll have to get from other reliable sources (at) Pico.”

The reference was to the Rams’ West Los Angeles office, where Vice President John Shaw and general counsel Jay Zygmunt are based.

Marchiano told reporters at Friday’s practice Carson hadn’t been released to talk to other teams. But Zygmunt later said he told Marchiano “early on in the afternoon” Carson would be released.