Conlan Set to Sign With Rams : Pro football: Bills free agent reportedly agrees to three-year deal. He is expected to start at middle linebacker.

Buffalo middle linebacker Shane Conlan has reached an agreement on a three-year contract with the Rams, a Ram team official said Saturday night.

“I’d say it’s likely we will sign him in the next day or two,” the official said.

Conlan, 29, visited Rams Park recently and afterward Coach Chuck Knox let it be known that the three-time Pro Bowler was the ideal player to start at middle linebacker in the Rams’ 4-3 defense.

Conlan’s agent told a Buffalo newspaper Saturday night his client had decided earlier in the evening to accept the Rams’ offer.

The Rams reportedly will give Conlan, who earned $975,000 last year, a three-year contract worth $5.4 million. The newspaper reported that the money in the contract will be guaranteed.

A Ram official, however, said the contract was only partially guaranteed and that the $5.4 million figure was not correct.

Conlan has started 76 games in his six-year career, and has at times been limited by injury. He missed time in 1988 with a foot injury, more time in 1989 with a knee injury and three games this past season with an ankle injury.

“I’d like to try the 4-3 at least once in my career,” Conlan said recently. “The middle guy is supposed to make all the tackles and I’d like to see how I do.”

Meanwhile, running back Robert Delpino appears headed to Denver.

“Essentially what we have (with Delpino) is a backup at fullback and running back,” said Bob Ferguson, the Broncos’ director of football operations.