Hold-Out Fever Could Again Strike the Rams’ Training Camp

The 11th hour is here, and unless a host of deals are struck in late-night moments, the Rams will wander into training camp with significantly less-than-perfect attendance.

When Coach John Robinson does his official head count today at the 4 p.m. meeting that officially opens camp at UC Irvine, up to 13 players could be declared absent-without-contract agreement.

Among the biggest names who could hold out are No. 1 draft pick Todd Lyght, offensive linemen Tom Newberry and Irv Pankey, running backs Buford McGee and Robert Delpino, cornerback Jerry Gray and wide receiver Flipper Anderson.

As of Tuesday afternoon, four more draft choices had signed and the Rams appeared close to agreement with No. 2 pick Roman Phifer, linebacker from UCLA.

Last year, the Rams entered camp burdened by a large-scale holdout brigade that led to a slow start from which they never recovered. When owner Georgia Frontiere retained Robinson last season, it was intimated that the Rams would make a greater push toward signing players faster.

Robinson says that’s what’s happening. While not explicitly saying Ram management took too hard of a line on negotiations in the past, Robinson emphasized that the commitment is there now.

“Absolutely,” Robinson said Tuesday. “I think in every case there is conversation going. I don’t think there’s any question that the offers are all solid offers. The guy may say, ‘I want more,’ may not agree, get in a tug of war. . . .

“But the oh-you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me offer (from the Rams), I don’t think exists.

“I’m not involved in the specifics, but it’s my impression that the negotiations are on-going, that the offers are certainly competitive, and that there’s every reason to believe that things are going to get better.”

Peter Funsten, agent for Pankey, disagreed. “Are the Rams more committed to winning? Are you joking? I think if it were part of the game plan to get their players in camp, they certainly would have players like Jerry Gray, like Lyght signed by now,” he said.

A brief rundown of the negotiations, as of Tuesday:

Lyght, who did not attend the recently concluded mini-camp, is seeking a contract in line with the $1.5 million-a-year contract the Cleveland Browns bestowed on safety Eric Turner, who was the No. 2 overall selection. The Rams are offering Lyght, pencilled in as a starter, a five-year package worth $850,000 a season.

Lyght’s agent, Bob Woolf, said there was no major progress Tuesday, but said he planned to talk to Ram Vice President Jay Zygmunt later Tuesday night.

The Lyght talks hinge on what kind of deal Woolf can land for linebacker Mike Croel, taken one selection earlier by the usually-high-paying Denver Broncos.

Anderson, who has one $220,000 year left on his contract, will have to decide whether to take the Rams’ most recent offer--apparently a three-year extension that would pay him an average of $575,000 a year--play out his contract or boycott camp in hopes of obtaining a sweeter deal. Anderson wants a two-year extension that would raise his salary to an average of $700,000 a season.

“It’s still up in the air,” said Ted Marchibroda Jr., Anderson’s agent, who hoped to meet with Zygmunt late Tuesday night.

Pankey has been offered a two-year deal worth $1.1 million, but Funsten said the 12-year veteran is seeking a package worth about $750,000 a season. Sources close to the negotiations predicted that Pankey likely will hold out the longest.

Newly-converted center Newberry is seeking similar salary numbers to Pankey, but the Rams have offered three- and four-year packages worth no more than $650,000 a year, and neither side appears ready to move quickly.

Fred Strickland, pencilled in as the starting left linebacker, and Brett Faryniarz, projected to battle Phifer on the right, are represented by Bruce Allen, who Monday said neither was close to a deal.

There could be some difficulty with Strickland, who has been injured for much of his career. It is believed that the Rams are not willing to pay Strickland the going rate for starting linebackers because of his proclivity for injury.

“Injuries shouldn’t have anything to do with negotiations,” Allen said. “I mean, it’s not like Fred got hurt sky diving. He got hurt playing. He didn’t mean to get hurt, and it doesn’t make him any less talented or valuable.”

Ram Notes

The four draft picks signed by the Rams were fourth-round choice Robert Bailey, a cornerback from Miami (Fla.), seventh-round pick Tyrone Shelton, a fullback from William and Mary, eighth-rounder Pat Tyrance, a linebacker from Nebraska, and 12th-round choice Ernie Thompson, a fullback from Indiana.

For the first time since 1986, the Rams do not have an extra exhibition game or a trip overseas during camp. . . . Two-a-days start Thursday morning. Practices are at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.