Rams Get Rolling on Defense : NFL: Charger linebacker agrees to three-year, $3.1-million deal. His arrival is final cue for Kevin Greene to find a new team.
The Rams have delivered a message to linebacker Kevin Greene: Find a new team.
The Rams reached agreement Friday on a three-year contract for $3.1 million with Charger linebacker Henry Rolling, who will assume Greene’s outside linebacking duties in the team’s 4-3 defensive alignment.
In recent weeks, Greene failed to respond to the Rams’ repeated requests for what it would take to re-sign him, and a club official said Friday, “The message was obvious: He wasn’t interested in us.”
The Rams decided to move on. They offered a contract to Cleveland linebacker David Brandon, and while he considered the deal, they went after Rolling.
Jay Zygmunt, the team’s senior vice president, planned to travel to Reno Friday night to secure Rolling’s signature.
“I think the Rams are afraid the Raiders will swoop in and sign me,” Rolling said by telephone from his home. “They were concerned, but I’ve given the Rams my word. It’s a done deal, and it’s a great opportunity for me.
“The Raiders will probably be a little surprised at how quickly I signed with the Rams, but the Rams stepped up to the plate first and got it done.”
Rolling, 27, met with the Raiders on Thursday, a day after touring Rams Park. He became intent on moving from San Diego after the Chargers delivered an offer to Steelers’ outside linebacker Jerrol Williams.
The Chargers offered Williams a one-year deal for $1.7 million. They paid Rolling $350,000 last season.
“The Rams are getting a pretty good football player,” Charger General Manager Bobby Beathard said. “If we don’t get Jerrol Williams from the Steelers, we’re out a starting linebacker.”
The Steelers appear to be in a position to choose between Williams and Greene. If they choose to keep Williams, the Chargers will pursue Brandon. Indications late Friday night were that Greene might be close to signing with Pittsburgh.
“Henry Rolling is an outstanding football player,” Ram Coach Chuck Knox said. “He gives us a lot of versatility. He’s the type of linebacker that is tough to find these days, in that he stays on the field when you have to put in your nickel package. He’s a big addition for us.”
The Chargers signed Rolling after his release from Tampa Bay in 1989, and he eventually replaced Billy Ray Smith as starting linebacker. Rolling started the 15 games he played in last season, and remained primarily responsible for the opposition’s tight end. He had 50 tackles with one sack.
The Rams have added three players via free agency, lost a pair, and are expected to lose Greene, their premier defensive player the last few seasons.
Greene, 30, led the Rams last season with 10 sacks, and has compiled 72 1/2 in his eight-year career. However, when the Rams switched from a 3-4 defensive look to a 4-3 last season, Greene expressed displeasure with his new duties.
The Steelers offered Greene a three-year deal at $1.5 million a season, but Greene came back asking for $1.8 million per year.
“They are a lot closer than that now,” said Jeff Dankworth, whose office represents Greene. “It’s like $1.75 to $1.8 (million) now. I think they will get it done (today). I think it will happen. That’s where Kevin wants to play. We know he’s not going to play with the Rams.”
The Rams, meanwhile, had an interest in Charger guard David Richards after losing starting right guard Joe Milinichik to San Diego on Thursday. Richards was to visit Rams Park on Monday, but he called the Rams on Friday and advised them that the Lions had made him an outstanding offer.
The Rams have decided to use their money to acquire additional defensive help and will pass on Richards. They will set their sights on Minnesota defensive end Al Noga.
“We’re supposed to talk sometime this weekend,” said Randy Vataha, Noga’s agent. “Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh are major players in this deal, along with the Rams.”
* SLATER IS RAMS’ IRONMAN
Offensive tackle Jackie Slater has played in 238 games and six Pro Bowls. C14
