Rams Making Bid to Get Bills’ Lofton : Football: Veteran wide receiver expected to participate in workout along with team’s rookies, veterans in mini-camp.
The Rams, thwarted to date in their efforts to land a veteran wide receiver, will conduct a workout for Buffalo’s James Lofton, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Friday when the team’s rookies and veterans meet for a three-day mini-camp.
“We’d like to look at him, definitely,” said Ernie Zampese, Ram offensive coordinator. “We’re looking for somebody who can help, and he’s an experienced guy who has been extremely successful.”
The Rams were prepared to make a serious pitch last week for Michael Young, former Bronco wide receiver, but Kansas City signed him.
Kelvin Martin, Dallas’ free-agent wide receiver, accepted an invitation to visit Rams Park, but then declined and signed with Seattle.
Hassan Jones, Minnesota’s wide receiver, caught the Rams’ eye, but his demand for more than $1.1 million a season sent the Rams looking elsewhere.
“I still believe I can play,” said Lofton, speaking by telephone from his Los Angeles-area home Monday. “It would be nice to play for either one of the teams in Southern California.
“The Rams are on the upswing and have acquired some good personnel in the draft and in free agency. It looks like they will make an impact in the NFC West this season, and it would be nice if I could be a part of it.”
The Rams want a veteran wide receiver, but they do not want to cause salary problems with Henry Ellard, who will earn $850,000 this season, and Flipper Anderson, who will draw $800,000 in 1993.
“The only problem I have is that I’m unemployed,” Lofton said.
The Buffalo Bills informed Lofton, who is a 15-year veteran, that they will make no attempt to re-sign him this season. The Bills selected two wide receivers in the recent draft and used free agency to sign Indianapolis’ Bill Brooks.
“Maybe they thought I was too old or would be asking for too much money,” said Lofton, who will pursue a broadcasting career if unable to play football anymore. “Maybe they just wanted younger guys. I was a little surprised by the move, but every team has the discretion to try and upgrade itself.”
Lofton, 36, the Packers’ all-time receiving leader with 530 catches, was traded to the Raiders in 1987. The Raiders elected to go with Willie Gault, Tim Brown and Mervyn Fernandez in 1989 and released Lofton.
The Bills signed Lofton and he went on to play a prominent role in their drive to appear in three consecutive Super Bowls. He also became the first player in the NFL to score a touchdown in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s.
Lofton opened last season with six catches for 56 yards in the Bills’ 40-7 victory over the Rams. He finished the season with 51 receptions for 786 yards, including six touchdowns. He has 750 career receptions and needs one more to pass Charlie Joiner and become the game’s third all-time leading receiver.
“I’ve looked at the Rams’ personnel and they have the makings of a great receiving corps,” Lofton said. “I’d like to help contribute to that.”
As Lofton waits for his opportunity to perform Friday, the Rams’ veteran players gathered Monday at Rams Park for workouts. Sixty players went through morning meetings and then a two-hour practice session.
Safety Michael Stewart was the only veteran player under contract who failed to participate. Stewart said he had Coach Chuck Knox’s approval to take a college exam today before joining the team Wednesday.
Knox, who was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Hall of Fame this past weekend, missed Monday’s workout but was due to return today.
Running back Cleveland Gary, defensive back Sam Lilly, and linebackers Scott Stephen, Fred Strickland and Leon White also failed to appear Monday, but they are not obligated to report because they are not under contract.
Running back Anthony Thompson, tight ends Travis McNeal and Jim Price, defensive lineman David Rocker, linebacker Larry Kelm, punter Don Bracken and quarterback Mike Pagel are not under contract, but they chose to participate.
Although the team has made no announcement, it’s known the Rams don’t intend to invite Lilly back. They also are not expected to maintain Stephen’s rights come the June 1 deadline to do so. The team may re-sign Stephen at a later date, but only if he agrees to accept a pay cut from the $565,000 he earned last year.
The Rams said they have been told by Strickland’s agent that he will play elsewhere in ’93.
The Rams’ rookies, who are limited to three days of practice before June 1, will arrive Friday. They will practice twice Friday and then again Saturday before wrapping up mini-camp with one practice Sunday.
Ram Notes
The Rams announced the signings of 10 free agents Monday, including five wide receivers: Sean Foster, Cal State Long Beach; Richard Buchanan, Northwestern; Curtis Gaspard, Washington; Joseph Washington, Tuskegee Institute, and Reggie Moore, UCLA. In addition, the Rams signed linebacker Carlton Miles, Florida; defensive end Jeffrey Cummins, Oregon; cornerback Eric Geter, Clemson; guard Keith Loneker, Kansas, and cornerback Al Jordan, UCLA.