Rams Join Fight for Buffalo’s Bailey : Football: Team’s blank-check bid for linebacker draws blank look from player’s agent.

The agent for Buffalo linebacker Carlton Bailey was stunned Monday: The Rams had just told him to name his price, any price, and they would pay it to get Bailey.

The Rams? Willing to pay a lot of money? The Rams?

“When the Rams say money is no object, you have to be shocked,” said Tony Agnone, who represents Bailey, 28. “I mean, that’s not like them, not like them at all.”

Bailey (6 feet 3, 235 pounds) has been one of the most sought-after unrestricted free agents the last two weeks, although he lost his starting inside linebacking position in postseason play. After the Bills’ shifted Cornelius Bennett inside, Bailey’s play became limited to special teams duty.

The Rams have reviewed Bailey’s work on videotape and they have been impressed. They also have assessed all available defensive ends via free agency, and while interested in San Francisco’s Kevin Fagan, they will first take a long look at Minnesota’s Al Noga.

Bailey already has gotten the once-over from the Steelers, Giants, Falcons, Buccaneers and Bengals.

“We had narrowed our final list to five teams,” Agnone said, “but the Rams became very aggressive and we have added them to the list. We’ll set up a meeting with the Rams and Carlton will make a visit.

“Whoever signs him will pay an unbelievable amount of money. He made $330,000 last season and he’s already received offers that will pay him five times what he earned last season.”

The Rams may be interested in spending money, but they aren’t talking about it publicly. Senior Vice President Jay Zygmunt declined to meet with reporters Monday at Rams Park, and he has not returned telephone calls the past week.

“Jay called me,” Agnone said, “and said they very much wanted this guy. We were very impressed. When Jay talks like that, you have to listen.”

The Rams are committed to finding a replacement for starting inside linebacker Larry Kelm. Vic Vines, Kelm’s agent, said the team has shown no interest in negotiating a new contract. Vines said Kelm, who is 28 and has been with the Rams six seasons, is exploring options elsewhere.

“From everything we hear, they’ve made their intentions obvious,” Vines said.

The Rams, meanwhile, have advised Bailey that the inside linebacking post is his for the asking.

“If it was me, I’d sign with the team that offers the most money,” Agnone said. “But with this guy, he’s looking for an opportunity to start and that’s more important to him than the money.”

Buffalo inside linebacker Shane Conlan, like Bailey, is an unrestricted free agent, but the Rams appear uninterested at this time.

“I haven’t heard from them,” said Conlan’s agent, Brett Senior. “We’ve been talking to that other L.A. team (the Raiders).”

The Rams inquired about Denver inside linebacker Karl Mecklenburg, but Agnone is also his agent, and he said, “There really hasn’t been a lot of talk. We’re looking to get Bailey’s situation wrapped up in the next week, and then I think things will start moving with Mecklenburg.”