Romanowski Is Latest Free Agent to Snub Rams : Football: Team continues to have a low profile in the eyes of high-profile players who are available.

It’s March, and for the Rams the results so far are really no different than those experienced in September, October, November and December.

Instead of dropping games, however, as they have done with regularity the last three seasons, they are now losing players they covet.

The Rams’ courtship of linebacker Bill Romanowski, which included a visit to Rams Park four days ago, ended with Tuesday’s announcement that he had re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers for three years for $4.3 million.

Buffalo linebacker Carlton Bailey, who had been tops on the Rams’ wish list, refused to include Anaheim in his travel plans and signed this week with the Giants for three years and $5.1 million.

“I think we’ve made a good effort, but we haven’t been successful,” Ram Coach Chuck Knox said. “We couldn’t even get a visit with a couple of players . . . we’re trying to compete.”

The Rams made a contract offer Tuesday morning for Fred Stokes, a Washington defensive end. Said Stokes’ agent, Jack Reale, “A deal is real doable. If the Rams are aggressive they can pull the rug right out from under the Redskins.”

If the Rams are aggressive . . . Why not be really aggressive and go after Philadelphia defensive lineman Reggie White?

“I’m not saying we’re not pursuing him,” Knox said.

Are the Rams pursuing Reggie White?

“No,” Knox said.

So then why aren’t the Rams pursuing Reggie White?

“We’re not pursuing him--at this time,” Knox said.

Why not at this time?

“What good would it do for me to tell you?” Knox said. “What if we had a game plan and we were going to move in at the last minute?”

Knox conceded, however, that the Rams have no such game plan.

And why not?

“It doesn’t serve any useful purpose (to explain why not),” Knox said.

Why haven’t the Rams been more successful to date in upgrading their roster? John Shaw, the team’s executive vice president, had no time to comment Monday or Tuesday.

Jay Zygmunt, the team’s senior vice president, said, “It’s still early yet; let’s see what happens.”

The Rams, however, might still be sitting here without having signed a free agent had they not been hoodwinked by the Raiders and Gerald Perry.

After Perry reneged on a promise to sign with the Rams to join the Raiders, they grabbed Jet tackle Irv Eatman. But according to talent scouts around the league, they may not be as strong at left tackle this season.

The Rams are eager to land Stokes, and they have plans to meet with Minnesota defensive lineman Al Noga, Cleveland linebacker David Brandon and Dallas wide receiver Kelvin Martin next week. But as Knox pointed out, “We had several others who were supposed to come in, and they got signed first.”

Will the Rams be forced to come up with the big-money offer and go after a restricted free agent or transition player? The Rams are known to have an interest in Cleveland linebacker Mike Johnson and Houston linebacker Al Smith, but Johnson and Smith have been designated as transition players, which allows their clubs a first right of refusal on all offer sheets.

That didn’t stop the Falcons, however, from making a pitch for 49er defensive tackle Pierce Holt. The Falcons offered Holt a three-year contract guaranteed for $7.5 million, and the 49ers have indicated they will not attempt to match it.

“There are all kinds of things that can happen still,” Knox said. “We’re trying to make things happen.”

Ram notes

Coach Chuck Knox said, “it’s a definite possibility” that the Rams will attempt to make a trade to move higher in Round 1 of the NFL draft. The team presently has the 10th selection in Round 1 . . . If the Rams have an interest in Georgia running back Garrison Hearst or Notre Dame running back Jerome Bettis, they may have to climb higher in Round 1. Knox said the Rams have no concerns about Hearst’s physical condition, despite reports that his knee may require surgery.