PRO FOOTBALL : DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Strickland May Be Close to Signing

Bruce Allen, the agent for holdout linebacker Fred Strickland, was in Los Angeles Monday, meeting with Ram Vice President Jay Zygmunt, and said he thought a deal could be completed shortly. Allen flew in from Phoenix after negotiations last week cut the difference to about $100,000 a season. “I don’t see any reason for the deal not to get done,” Allen said. “We’ll see.”

Each sides is believed to be zeroing in on either a one- or two-year deal that apparently will pay Strickland about $375,000 for 1991 and, if it’s a two-year package, more than $400,000 for 1992.

Meanwhile, Bob Woolf, the agent for unsigned No. 1 draft pick Todd Lyght, reported no progress in talks with the Rams. But he hinted that a contract deal for Mike Croel, his client who was taken one selection above Lyght by the Denver Broncos, is near completion.

Injury updates: Cornerback Darryl Henley, nursing a sore hamstring, practiced Monday but the Rams are playing it very cautious. Henley has been put on a hamstring-saving regimen. “It’s kind of, ‘Get out there and practice, but don’t go 100%,’ ” Coach John Robinson said. “ ‘Don’t get in a competitive situation but at least be out there.’ ” . . . Center Doug Smith, hobbled since the second day of practice with an ankle injury, also practiced but stayed out of contact drills. . . . Guard Gerald Perry, who has a sore knee and was given Monday off to find an apartment, will practice today.