Two Free Agents Sign With Rams; Hatcher Deal Near

The Rams signed their fourth and fifth Plan B free agents of the period Friday and were set to sign their sixth, former Ram punter Dale Hatcher.

The Rams signed defensive end Gerald Robinson, left exposed by the San Diego Chargers, and linebacker Glenell Sanders, unprotected by the Chicago Bears.

Hatcher apparently has agreed to terms on a deal, and the Rams expect him to sign sometime by the end of the free-agency period, Monday at midnight. Hatcher, who left the Rams during last year’s Plan B period to sign with the Packers, will replace last year’s punter, Keith English.

Robinson (28 years old, 6 feet 3, 261 pounds), a 1986 first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings, probably will be tossed into the competition for the Rams’ right defensive end job. Sanders (24, 6-0, 224) is seen as a special teams player and backup linebacker.

The Rams recently have soured on Miami middle linebacker Mike Reichenbach because of his declining athletic skills and the belief that if they need him in an emergency role this season, they can always get him cheaply in a trade. Reichenbach ran new Ram defensive coordinator Jeff Fisher’s system in Philadelphia for several years.

Also Friday, the Rams lost their second Plan B free agent when safety Vince Newsome, a starter last season, signed with the Cleveland Browns.

Newsome, 30, lost his job to Pat Terrell at the end of the season.

Even if defensive end Doug Reed does not sign with another team, the Rams have indicated that he will not be a part of their plans in 1991.