Schad, Rams’ Free-Agent Guard, Signs Contract With Philadelphia

Guard Mike Schad, a former first-round draft choice who didn’t start a game for the Rams in three years, signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday. Schad becomes the ninth unprotected free agent to leave the team since Feb. 1.

Schad, drafted as a tackle but later converted to guard, was the 23rd pick in the 1986 draft but never performed as a first-rounder. He spent much of his three years with the Rams on injured reserve, though he did appear in seven games last season on special teams.

However, Eagles Coach Buddy Ryan said Tuesday that the 6-foot-5, 290-pound Schad will replace Dave Alexander as the team’s starting left guard.

“I liked him coming out of college,” Ryan said. “I was going to draft him in the third round, but the Rams took him in the first. I thought he would take three years to develop. But we worked him out and he looked good.”

Schad, from Queen’s College, is the highest Canadien player ever drafted in the National Football League. His signing leaves the Rams with 10 remaining unprotected players, including former starting linebacker Jim Collins and running back Buford McGee.

The Rams have signed only two unprotected players--defensive end Byron Darby and linebacker Wayne Davis.