Greene May Leave, but a Replacement Could Be Rolling In : Rams: Contract offer made to Charger linebacker. Team looking for more free agents to shore up defense.
On Wednesday morning Ram linebacker Kevin Greene proclaimed: “I just want to go on record as saying I’d like to be a Pittsburgh Steeler.”
On Wednesday afternoon the Rams offered San Diego Charger outside linebacker Henry Rolling a three-year contract and an opportunity to replace Kevin Greene.
“It’s an outstanding offer,” said Rolling, who earned $325,000 last season.
Rolling is scheduled to visit with the Raiders today, but his agent, Jeff Dankworth, said plans can always be changed.
“We’ve got to respond to the Rams’ offer,” Dankworth said. “The Rams have indicated how interested they are . . . . I’m not sure he will be making as many trips as he thought he would.”
While the Rams wait on Rolling, it appears Greene is moving closer to playing elsewhere. Greene met with the Steelers Wednesday, then told the media in Pittsburgh, “I think I would like to play for this team.
“I like their overall scheme of defense and I like the aggressive attitude they play with. I’ve not only seen things today on film, but I’ve seen it watching them play on TV. They are a playoff-caliber team, and if things work out, I hope I can come here and help them out.”
The Steelers reportedly were preparing an offer for Greene. Greene had plans to leave Pittsburgh today and visit Washington.
Ram Coach Chuck Knox said he spoke with Greene this week, and said he still wants Greene to return this season. However, he said contract negotiations are conducted by Ram Senior Vice President Jay Zygmunt, and that Zygmunt should be consulted for updates on Greene’s situation.
Zygmunt did not return a phone call.
The Rams continue to eye free agency as a means of upgrading their defense.
“From what I understand what they have in mind, people won’t believe the incredible difference in this defense from the end of this coming season to the start of last year,” Dankworth said. “They have some big things in mind.”
The Rams met Tuesday with Minnesota defensive end Al Noga, provided him with a hotel room and wanted to talk with him again Wednesday. But on Wednesday he was nowhere to be found. He had been scheduled to visit the 49ers, but the 49ers told the Rams they couldn’t locate him.
The Rams might make a contract offer for Noga today, and they remain very interested in Buffalo inside linebacker Shane Conlan. Conlan visited Rams Park Wednesday, then left for a meeting with the Raiders.
The Steelers were trying to convince Conlan to fly directly from Los Angeles to Pittsburgh today. The Redskins have also expressed interest in Conlan.
“I would like one time in my career to get into a 4-3 (defensive) system and to see how many plays I actually make as a middle linebacker,” Conlan said. “I’m kind of excited about that.”
The Rams play a 4-3, and they believe Conlan has the run-stuffing abilities to solve all problems up the middle.
“I think there is a genuine interest here in me,” Conlan said. “They said they would like me to play middle blocker and I’m very excited about that.”
The Rams, however, might wait until other teams establish Conlan’s market value. Conlan earned $970,000 last season, and ultimately may be too expensive for the Rams.
While Knox escorted Conlan around Rams Park, the team’s starting middle linebacker, Larry Kelm, stood nearby lifting weights and pondering his future.
“That’s all that’s been in the papers recently, ‘Man, we got to find a middle linebacker,’ ” Kelm said. “If they don’t want me here I have to go elsewhere. What else can I do?
“I’ve been told to keep on working out like I’m going to be here, and I’m just exploring all possibilities. I’m going to Washington to visit with the Redskins (today).”
The Rams also met with Cleveland linebacker David Brandon, but do not appear interested in making an offer to him.
Running back Robert Delpino, an unrestricted Ram free agent, met with Knox Wednesday in an attempt to find out where he stood with the team’s leadership.
“It was just to talk with him and iron out some differences we may or may not have had,” Delpino said. “He told me he’d like to have me back. I’m not sure how bad, but he told me he’d like to have me back.”
Delpino has visited Denver and will travel to Kansas City today.
