Starting Defensive End Woods Leaves Rams for Redskins’ Deal

Defensive end Tony Woods, who expressed disappointment with the Rams’ attempts to keep him, said Thursday night he has signed a two-year deal for $1.5 million to play for the Washington Redskins.

The Rams said they offered Woods $1.7 million for two years, and were surprised to hear of his defection.

Woods, the Rams’ starting defensive end the last half of the season, said the team’s coaching staff had displayed genuine interest in his return, but management failed to gain his attention in contract talks.

“I signed with Washington because the Rams management’s numbers weren’t close to what the coaches were telling me the team was going to do,” Woods said. “The Rams’ offer wasn’t even something to challenge my mind.”

Woods’ comments were challenged by Ram management.

“We offered him $850,000 a year for the next two years,” said Jay Zygmunt, Ram senior vice president. “I don’t understand it; I guess he just didn’t want to be here.”

In other free-agent developments, the Rams made an offer to Green Bay safety Tim Hauck, worked out New York Jet safety Cliff Hicks, awaited the arrival of Indianapolis wide receiver Jessie Hester and dropped out of the bidding for Atlanta offensive tackle Mike Kenn.