PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Rookie Israel Agrees to Terms

Steve Israel, the league’s last second-round pick without a contract, 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 this morning, sign the contract, take a physical and possibly make it to the team’s practice this afternoon.

Meanwhile, veteran safety Michael Stewart, the team’s last unsigned player, is expected to meet with Ram officials today.

Israel, a cornerback out of the University of Pittsburgh, apparently got a deal a little richer but one year longer than the three-year, $1.5-million package the Rams gave last year’s No. 2 pick, Roman Phifer.

Marcus Dupree gained 41 yards in nine carries and scored the Rams’ only rushing touchdown of the exhibition season during Saturday night’s overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers, but Coach Chuck Knox said that the Rams still might try to acquire another running back.

Dupree gained 100 yards in 22 carries the week before in a victory over the Raiders.

“That’s what we were looking for, to see some consistency there,” Knox said of Dupree. “Not just a flash, but to be able to go out there week in and week out and get it done.”

But when asked about a possible trade for a running back, Knox said: “We are hoping that a running back that we have here will come to the forefront. . . . (but) we’re always interested in talking with people about players in any position, if we can upgrade our football team.”