PRO FOOTBALL : DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Robinson: Holdouts Not Untouchables

Ram Coach John Robinson said Wednesday he wouldn’t rule out trading any of the Rams’ five remaining holdouts.

Tackle Irv Pankey, for one, has been mentioned in recent trade speculation. Teams cannot trade unsigned players, but often contracts are worked out with the understanding that the player will then be traded.

Asked when a trade might occur, Robinson said: “Not today. I’m sure sometime between now and the end of the season. Sometime between now and the (regular-season trading) deadline--that’s certainly an option.”

In addition to Pankey, the Ram holdouts are their No. 1 draft choice, cornerback Todd Lyght, who is not close to signing, and three other veterans--linebacker Fred Strickland, offensive lineman Tom Newberry and running back Buford McGee.

Lyght showed up to watch the Rams’ afternoon practice and expressed confidence that his contract would be completed quickly after the Denver Broncos sign linebacker Mike Croel, the player chosen directly ahead of Lyght and also represented by Bob Woolf. Croel is expected to sign this week for nearly $1.35 million a season.

“I think that things are going to come together pretty soon here,” Lyght said. “Once the Croel deal gets done, the parameters will be set. The Rams are waiting for that.”

The Rams held their last two-a-day workouts Wednesday, and will spend the rest of the exhibition season practicing once a day while preparing for the regular season, which starts Sept. 1.