Rams Prepared to Let Slater Go to Falcons : Football: Team indicates it will not match offer made by Atlanta to 39-year-old tackle.

Tackle Jackie Slater, a Ram for 18 seasons and eager for one more, has been offered more money to play for the Atlanta Falcons in 1994.

Ram management, which quietly boosted Slater’s salary $300,000 last year to $1.365 million when led to believe Slater was retiring at season’s end, will not match Atlanta’s proposed deal.

The Rams do not intend to use Slater as a starter this season and have extended a two-year contract offer to Miami offensive tackle Mark Dennis.

Slater, who is scheduled to fly to Atlanta today with his wife and children, said he will decide today where he will play next season but will not make it public until Friday.

The Falcons, who offered Slater a base salary in excess of $700,000 and a lucrative incentive package based on playing time to fill a reserve role, will not be in a position, according to sources in Atlanta, to sign anyone until Friday.

“I’m open to whatever the Rams want to do, but I haven’t been given any indication one way or the other at this point,” Slater said. “If the Rams want to offer me something that is the same as (Atlanta’s) deal, I’m open to that. It would be my preference to have an opportunity to stay here.”

John Shaw, Ram executive vice president, said the team has made an offer to Slater and expressed an interest in re-signing him.

“We will not offer him what Atlanta is offering him; we’re offering in the range of $500,000,” Shaw said. “The Rams and Falcons both view Jackie as player who will not be a starting tackle, but fill a certain role in reserve. At this point, the Falcons are willing to pay a little more than what we budgeted for such a role.

“We’re hopeful Jackie would take our offer. We’ve done some things in the past on Jackie’s behalf, and we would like to think some loyalty has been established.”

The Rams increased Slater’s salary without prompting a year ago in preparation for his expected retirement. The team also talked to Slater about making available additional funds for post-football career training and set aside $200,000 for that purpose.

When Slater, 39, decided to play a 19th season the team discussed the possibility of not offering him a 1994 contract because of salary cap considerations and an interest in employing younger players. After further talks, the Rams decided to keep Slater as a role model and steadying influence in the locker room and would offer $350,000.

Before that offer was made, Atlanta called, prompting the Rams to increase their bid in the neighborhood of $500,000.

The Rams intend to start Darryl Ashmore, 24, at right tackle and are attempting to sign Dennis, 28, to replace Irv Eatman, 33, at left tackle.

“I’ve prepared myself for the very worst,” Slater said, “ . . . but I have nothing but the fondest memories of my time here.”

While Slater, the team’s oldest player, ran around Rams Park for what might be his final time Tuesday, the attention of coaches and administrators was on USC wide receiver Johnnie Morton, a prime candidate to become the newest Ram on draft day.

Morton ran for the Rams, caught passes from quarterback Jamie Martin, and then told everyone who would listen that it would be a dream come true to be selected by the Rams in the first round.

“I could probably improve attendance with all my USC people coming to the games,” Morton said. “I know my mom and dad, who live in Torrance, would be there for every game.”