Rams Not Quite Done Shopping for Players : Football: Protection and receivers for new quarterback Chris Miller top the list.

After signing Chris Miller on Monday, the Rams began pursuing protection and potential targets for their new quarterback--Houston offensive tackle Kevin Donnalley, Oilers’ wide receiver Haywood Jeffires and Detroit wide receiver Brett Perriman.

Donnalley, a restricted free agent, is expected to visit Rams Park later this week or early next week, said Jay Zygmunt, Ram senior vice president. Jeffires, a Pro Bowl selection and unrestricted free agent, will visit early next week, Zygmunt said.

Perriman, an unrestricted free agent who spent the last three seasons with the Lions, visited the Rams Tuesday. Drew Rosenhaus, Perriman’s agent, said contract negotiations are “still in the infant stages.”

The Rams have considered extending an offer sheet to Donnalley for the last few weeks, but feared it could damage potential trade talks with the Oilers for quarterback Warren Moon. But those talks ended Monday when the Rams signed Miller to a three-year, $9 million contract.

Jeffires, 29, is considered the best of the unrestricted wide receivers who haven’t been designated a transition player, meaning the Oilers don’t have right-of-first-refusal on the All-Pro receiver.

To sign Donnalley, the Rams would have to give up a third-round draft pick to the Oilers as compensation. Houston tendered a $298,000 contract to Donnalley, the minimum amount for a restricted free agent. The Oilers would be free to match any offer by the Rams to retain the tackle.

Herbert Rudoy, Donnalley’s agent, said the tackle was “very interested” in the Rams and that he currently is not negotiating with the Oilers. Donnalley made $275,000 last season, the last of a three-year contract.

“I don’t have my hopes up about it (an offer sheet),” Donnalley told the Houston media Tuesday. “I don’t want to leave Houston, but if the Rams were to go through with it, it would certainly up the ante.

“But I’ll believe this when I see it. I know I got some good playing time last season against some good opponents. I was hoping someone would notice.”

Donnalley, 6 feet 5 and 305 pounds, has started eight games in three seasons with the Oilers, including six this past season.

The Rams are interested in Donnalley because of his size and versatility--he was used primarily as a backup guard and tackle--and his skills on field goal and PAT protection. Donnalley has studied Tae Kwon Do the last two years in an attempt to improve his quickness.

Jeffires, 6-2 and 200 pounds, has started every game the last four seasons in Houston and was the AFC’s leading pass-catcher in three of them.

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Ram strong safety Michael Stewart, an unrestricted free agent, could be headed to the Miami Dolphins. Reports from Miami said Jerome Stanley, Stewart’s agent, met with Bryan Weidmeier, Dolphins’ assistant general manager, on Tuesday regarding Stewart.

The interest in Stewart could indicate that the Dolphins are willing to let go of Louis Oliver, an unrestricted free agent and transition player. Stewart would likely join Gene Atkins, the Dolphins’ recently acquired free safety, as a starter.

Stewart started 14 games for the Rams last season, finishing with 74 tackles.