Rams Expected to Sign Fred Stokes Today

Defensive end Fred Stokes, who was presented with the opportunity to make more than $2 million this year, has agreed to leave the Washington Redskins and sign with the Rams today.

Agent Jack Reale said he and Stokes, a former Ram, will fly from Atlanta to Palm Desert this morning to meet with Jay Zygmunt, Ram senior vice president, and Coach Chuck Knox to sign a three-year contract.

“We have a deal,” Reale said.

Sources in Washington said that the Rams will pay Stokes almost $4 million for three years, including a signing bonus of $1.5 million, and base salaries of $700,000, $750,000 and $800,000.

“That’s pretty accurate,” Reale said.

Knox, through a Ram spokesman, said he had not been told anything about Stokes and that all comments should come from Zygmunt.

Zygmunt said: “No, I’m not making any comments about negotiations. Thanks for calling.”

The Rams made a big push for Stokes after failing to land San Francisco linebacker Bill Romanowski and Buffalo linebacker Carlton Bailey.

“The Rams went after what they wanted and they have made a hell of a commitment,” Reale said. “Fred didn’t come cheap.”

Stokes, who failed to make an impact with the Rams in 1987 and 1988, left via Plan B free agency to sign with the Redskins.

In Washington, Stokes earned the nickname “Big Play” with 24 1/2 sacks and 10 recovered fumbles in the past 53 games.