Rams Lose Tight End Carter to Houston Oilers

The Rams have lost tight end Pat Carter to the Oilers, but will talk today about the possibility of increasing efforts to sign Houston wide receiver Haywood Jeffires.

Phil Williams, Carter’s agent, said the Oilers and the tight end have reached an agreement on a one-year, $1.1-million contract, and that he expects Carter to sign Wednesday with Houston.

“The Rams have told me that they consider Pat one of the best blocking tight ends in the league,” Williams said. “But Pat wants to catch the ball and I don’t think the Rams will give him that opportunity.”

Carter earned $370,000 last season as the Rams’ starting tight end, but will sign for $262,000 and a $500,000 signing bonus. Additional incentives will provide him with the opportunity to earn $1.1 million.

The Rams have had Jeffires at the top of their wish list for wide receivers, but backed away upon hearing his salary demands of $2 million a year. Jeffires, however, has been running out of options. The Broncos signed Charger Anthony Miller, the Redskins are courting the Rams’ Henry Ellard and the Oilers have serious salary cap concerns.

“It might be time now to see if we can get something going with Jeffires,” said Joe Vitt, Ram assistant head coach.

The Rams will work out Miami tackle Mark Dennis and San Francisco wide receiver Sanjay Beach today and Green Bay safety Tim Hauck and New York Jets cornerback Clifford Hicks later this week.