Rams Reach Agreement With Bettis : Football: No. 1 pick expected to sign and practice today. Trade talks involve Cleveland Gary.

Hello and goodby.

The Rams reached a five-year, $4.625-million contract agreement Thursday with their first-round draft pick, running back Jerome Bettis.

At the same time the Rams said they will be moving forward without last year’s top rusher and receiver, Cleveland Gary.

Gary, along with unsigned tight end Jim Price, were the only veterans who failed to meet Thursday night’s deadline for reporting to training camp at Cal State Fullerton.

“He’s (Gary) a player that we have an offer out on,” said John Shaw, Ram executive vice president. “We will discuss with Coach (Chuck Knox) the needs in that position and we will assess our next move hopefully in the next week.”

The Rams had talked to the Cowboys and Steelers about a trade involving Gary, but have been led to believe that Dallas is no longer interested. The team hopes interest elsewhere in Gary will increase once exhibition games begin. They are not expected to make a strong move to re-sign him.

The Rams have offered Gary, who earned $350,000 last year, $385,000 to play this season. They extended that offer months ago to maintain their rights to Gary, and have made no further adjustments.

Bettis, however, has no such concerns. Bettis came to terms Thursday morning, and Shaw made the announcement at UC San Diego after the Rams and Chargers played a controlled rookie scrimmage.

“I’m ecstatic,” Shaw said. “Everything has been worked out smoothly, and now obviously he needs to get to work.”

Bettis is expected to arrive at Cal State Fullerton this morning and will practice for the first time this afternoon after signing his contract.

Bettis, the 10th player selected in the draft, will receive $4.625 million with a signing bonus in excess of $2 million, according to NFL Players Assn. sources. He also will receive a $100,000 bonus for each year he rushes for more than 1,200 yards, which would put his total package beyond $5 million.

Offensive lineman Ray Roberts, the 10th player selected in last year’s draft, signed a four-year, $4.025-million contract with the Seahawks.

If Bettis rushes for more than 1,200 yards twice in the next four years and advances to the Pro Bowl at least once, the fifth year of his contract will be voided and he will become a free agent.

“I’m happy, but I also know it’s time to go to work,” Bettis said. “I know there is a lot of talent at running back, and the starting position is going to definitely have to be earned.”

Bettis, a bruising fullback for Notre Dame who gained 825 yards in 154 carries last season and scored 10 touchdowns, appears tailor-made for Knox’s offense. The Rams are expected to employ Bettis at tailback along with Russell White, the team’s third-round pick, and use David Lang at fullback.

“The Rams felt it was important to get Jerome in there reasonably on time and so there were a lot of hours put in the last few days to get this done,” said C. Lamont Smith, Bettis’ agent. “I’m very pleased that he didn’t miss a lot of time and get off to a slow start. I think people are going to like Jerome when they get a chance to see him.”

Bettis has spent the past week working with private trainers in Denver to prepare himself for training camp. He said he will report to camp weighing 240 pounds.

“It was a way to get away from home and keep to a regular workout regimen,” said Bettis in explaining his decision to leave his hometown of Detroit for Denver. “You know you can never say no to your mom, and it’s just tough to get things done around the family.

“I can’t wait to get going with the Rams, and I’m sure it won’t really sink in until I put that Rams’ helmet on and go through my first practice.”