Eatman Says He’s Coming, but Rams Aren’t Talking

Ram executives weren’t talking Friday, but free agent offensive tackle Irv Eatman says he will leave the Jets to play for the Rams this season.

“We’ve basically agreed to a contract with the Rams and my attorney is reviewing the language in it,” said Eatman by telephone from his home in Atlanta. “I want to play for the Rams and it’s going to get done.

“I’m sure I will be a Ram by the end of the weekend. I’m really, really happy with this opportunity.”

Eatman would fill an immediate need along the Ram offensive line after the Raiders swiped starting left tackle Gerald Perry this week.

Eatman, 32, started at right tackle for the Jets but gained experience at left tackle while at UCLA and later with the Kansas City Chiefs.

“It took a lot for me to even think about leaving New York,” Eatman said. “I had a really good situation with the Jets, but I like what I saw in the Rams. You can’t argue with the geographic advantages, and it’s my old stomping grounds. I like Chuck Knox, and I like the prospect of playing on the offensive line for a team that likes to run the ball.

“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun playing for the Rams.”

Eatman, 6 feet 7, 311 pounds, toured Rams Park Thursday and passed the team’s physical examination.

Eatman played previously for Ram offensive line coach Jim Erkenbeck, and the two had a good relationship. He caught Knox’s eye while playing against the Seattle Seahawks, and Knox said he will have no difficulty making the transition from right to left tackle.

Knox said Eatman topped his wish list when it became obvious the team would have to find an experienced offensive tackle.

The Rams were caught by surprise when Perry signed with the Raiders, and they failed to persuade Houston’s starting left tackle Don Maggs to hold off on signing a contract with Denver this week before visiting Rams Park.

Eatman remained the most attractive unrestricted free agent available and within the Rams’ organization there was a feeling that they had to do whatever was necessary to land him.

The Rams’ front office, however, suddenly went silent Friday. A team secretary reported that senior vice president Jay Zygmunt, who was charged with the assignment of signing Eatman, had taken the day off.

A Ram spokesman said later there was nothing new to report in regards to Eatman’s situation.

Eatman, however, disagreed. “Good news, it looks like I’m going to be a Ram,” he said. “We’ve been talking and we’re pretty much in agreement; there’s no doubt we’re going to have a deal done.”