Everett, Gilbert May Be Protected : Pro football: Rams won’t select a franchise player today, but quarterback and first-round pick of 1992 probably will be named “transition players.”
Those who have observed the Rams in action the last three years might have already anticipated today’s announcement that the team will not designate a “franchise player” in the NFL’s first full-fledged attempt at unrestricted free agency.
Coach Chuck Knox insisted Wednesday that the team has good players, but today’s official business will confirm that the Rams deem none worthy enough to draw the average salary of the top five players at their position.
The Rams, however, have the option of saving their franchise player designation and employing it next season.
The Rams declined to specifically discuss their plans on the eve of the league-wide announcement of which players will be exempted from unrestricted free agency. Teams have until 1 p.m. today to notify the league of their intentions.
But there were indications within the organization that instead of maintaining a right of first refusal to any of their 16 unrestricted free agents, they will tighten their grasp on defensive tackle Sean Gilbert and quarterback Jim Everett.
Everett remains under contract through 1995 and Gilbert through 1996, but by designating them “transition players,” the Rams will maintain the right of first refusal to both players once their contracts expire.
The Rams also would have to tender offers at that time to Everett and Gilbert that would pay them the average of the top 10 salaries at their respective positions. Everett will earn a base salary of $2 million in 1995, and Gilbert will draw $1.25 million in 1996.
“You have to plan down the road with all these changes coming,” Knox said. “That’s going to be a key thing, especially when you have a young football team.”
If the Rams were correct in their initial assessment of Gilbert, whom they selected in the first round of last year’s draft, he will be entering the prime of his career as one of the game’s premier players when his present contract expires in 1996. In electing to use him as one of their transitional players, they have assured themselves of his services.
The Rams have chosen to protect themselves at quarterback, and even if they should decide to make a change later, they remain favorably placed in receiving compensation for Everett should he ever be traded.
“We have two right of first refusal moves this year and one next year,” Knox said. “After that, that’s it. You can save your franchise player move, but you must use your transition moves.”
The Rams opted not to use their exemptions on highly regarded linebacker Kevin Greene and tackle Gerald Perry, both unrestricted free agents, but that does not preclude the team from trying to re-sign them.
The Rams are gambling that teams will find Greene, who earned a base salary of $900,000 this past season, too expensive to sign. Perry has already rejected a substantial pay increase from the Rams, and past problems off the field might make him a risky pickup.
“Just because we haven’t designated some people as our transitional players,” Knox said, “doesn’t mean we’re not going to get after it and try and sign them.”
Players may begin signing with teams, including their own, on Monday, and the deadline to sign is July 15. Players who have competed five years in the league and who are no longer under contract qualify for unrestricted free agency.
Restricted free agents, those players who are entering their fourth or fifth years in the league, must receive contract offers by Sunday and announce their intentions by May 1.
Restricted free agents, which include Rams’ running back Cleveland Gary, may entertain an offer from another team, but the Rams maintain the right of first refusal. The Rams are also entitled to compensation (a draft choice) should they elect not to match an offer.
“This (unrestricted free agency) affords us a window of opportunity where we can improve as a football team,” Knox said. “But take the Dallas Cowboys and their successful transition. They got Charles Haley in a trade, Tony Casillas in a trade, Thomas Everett in a trade and then they went into the draft. They got Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith and Russell Maryland.
“You don’t need that many (free agents). You need the quality free agents. You’re going to need three to four players with some ability that can play and fit in. And then you have to have a good draft to be in good position to turn things around.”
The Rams will make the 10th selection in the first round of the draft in late April and Knox has assembled his shopping list.
“If a great middle linebacker was there, we would use it on him,” Knox said. “If a defensive end with pass-rushing skills was there, we would possibly use it. If a great running back or speed receiver were there, we’d consider it.”
The Rams begin conditioning drills Monday, and will come together as a team for on-field workouts in early May.
Ram Free Agents
UNRESTRICTED Punter Don Bracken Wide receiver Aaron Cox Linebacker Kevin Greene Wide receiver Emile Harry Linebacker Larry Kelm Quarterback Mike Pagel Linebacker Fred Strickland Linebacker Leon White Center Blair Bush Running back Robert Delpino Cornerback Sammy Lilly Guard Joe Milinichik Tackle Gerald Perry Defensive end Gerald Robinson Linebacker Scott Stephen Kicker Tony Zendejas
RESTRICTED Tight end Travis McNeal Running back Cleveland Gary Running back Anthony Thompson Defensive end Bill Hawkins
RAMS HAVE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS Defensive tackle David Rocker Tight end Jim Price