Israel and Rams Agree to Terms

Steve Israel, the league’s last second-round pick without a contract, on Sunday ended his 40-day holdout and agreed to a four-year deal with the Rams believed to be worth more than $2 million.

Israel was scheduled to fly from Pittsburgh, where he has been staying during the holdout, to Orange County this morning, officially sign the deal, take a physical and possibly make it to the team’s practice this afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Rams were close to a deal with their other remaining unsigned player, veteran safety Michael Stewart. Stewart was expected to meet with Ram officials at the club’s office today, possibly to agree to one of several proposals on the table.

Israel, a cornerback from Pittsburgh that Ram Coach Chuck Knox has envisioned to have immediate impact as a kick returner and nickel coverage man, apparently got a deal a little richer but one year longer than the three-year, $1.5 million contract the Rams gave last year’s No. 2 pick, Roman Phifer.

The long-stalemated talks apparently heated up again last week. The sides had been deadlocked since July 15, the first day of rookie advance camp, with the Rams proposing a three-year deal with an average salary of $510,000. Israel’s agent, Gary Uberstine, was seeking a three-year contract with an average salary of $660,000.

The question now becomes how soon Israel can become a major contributor. His signing comes at almost the exact time-frame of Todd Lyght, last year’s No. 1 pick, who was signed a year ago.

Lyght, also a cornerback, rushed into action after no real practice for the Rams’ final exhibition game, hurt his hamstring soon after, and didn’t make it into the starting lineup until halfway through the season.

But Israel’s reappearance, should he remain healthy, does come at an opportune time.

Lyght has missed all three exhibitions because of a sore hamstring, giving the Rams only two experienced cornerbacks--Robert Bailey and Darryl Henley. However, if Lyght is healthy, it is unclear if there is a starting job for Israel to compete for.

The taller, faster Israel was supposed to eventually take Henley’s right cornerback spot, but Henley leads the team with three interceptions in the preseason.

There is also a question of whether Stewart, the team’s starting strong safety the past four seasons, is too far behind to seriously compete with Anthony Newman, who has assumed the strong safety position in Stewart’s absence.