PRO FOOTBALL : DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Linebacker Strickland Signs Two-Year Contract

The Rams’ list of holdouts was reduced to three when outside linebacker Fred Strickland signed a two-year contract believed to be worth about $400,000 per year.

The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Strickland, a starter at inside linebacker last season until he suffered a broken left leg in the fifth game against Chicago, will be moved to outside linebacker and contend for the starting position on the left side of the Rams’ new 4-3 alignment.

Three other Rams, No. 1 draft pick Todd Lyght, offensive tackle Irv Pankey and fullback Buford McGee, remain unsigned.

The fate of defensive tackle Doug Reed, who signed a one-year, $200,000 deal last week after a bitter contract dispute, is expected to be determined soon. Coach John Robinson said an announcement that Reed has been released or traded could be made today.

Reserve quarterback Mike Pagel, who is battling Chuck Long for the right to back up starter Jim Everett, completed five of seven passes for 44 yards in 1 1/2 quarters Monday. “They’re even,” Robinson said of the two reserves. “That’s one of those areas where we’re going to have to make a decision.”