Pro Football

The Rams signed tackle Irv Eatman, who played last season for the New York Jets, to a three-year contract while maintaining first right of refusal once he becomes a free agent.

The team made a quick dash for Eatman, 32, who played previously for UCLA, the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars and the Kansas City Chiefs, after losing starting left tackle Gerald Perry to the Raiders earlier in the week.

Although successful in their pursuit, oddly enough, they said they did not want to discuss it publicly.

A Ram spokesman said that Jay Zygmunt, the team’s executive vice president, would not talk about Eatman.

The spokesman said he had a statement from Coach Chuck Knox: “We’re very happy to get a player of Irv Eatman’s talent. At Seattle, we played Kansas City twice a year. I had a lot of respect for him as a player and a person. Plus, (offensive line coach) Jim Erkenbeck has coached him in two different leagues and is very aware of his talent.”