Ellard Signs With Washington : Pro football: Long-time Ram receiver gets two-year, $1.8-million deal from the Redskins.

He has played football for the last 11 years in Anaheim Stadium, but when Henry Ellard returns this season he will require directions to the locker room.

“You know, I couldn’t tell you where the visitors’ dressing room is,” said Ellard, who Wednesday became the newest member of the Washington Redskins.

Ellard, the Rams’ all-time leading receiver in receptions (593) and yards (9,761), signed a two-year, $1.8-million contract with Washington.

Ellard, who earned $850,000 with the Rams last season, will receive an $800,000 signing bonus from the Redskins and a salary of $500,000 a year for the next two seasons.

The Rams hope to replace Ellard with Houston wide receiver Haywood Jeffires, an unrestricted free agent. The team is also talking to Houston about a trade that would bring Kevin Donnalley to the Rams to start at left tackle.

The Rams had signed Donnalley to an offer sheet, but the Oilers matched it. The Rams apparently haven’t given up on acquiring Donnalley, and according to sources in Houston, have offered a second-round pick for him.

When Donnalley signed with the Oilers last Friday, assistant general manager Floyd Reese advised him that he might be dealt soon to the Rams.

The Rams, meanwhile, made no real attempt to keep Ellard, although he led the team in receiving last season with 61 receptions for 945 yards.

“I’ve been in L.A. for 11 years and there are lots of good memories, but things were changing and I didn’t feel a part of those changes,” Ellard said. “Once Ernie (Zampese, offensive coordinator) left to go to Dallas, it was time for me to move on.

“That’s business. I ended last season on a good note and that was important for me. In Washington I have the best situation with (head coach) Norv Turner, who worked with me for five years when he was with the Rams.”

The Redskins also have asked Ellard to work with wide receiver Desmond Howard, who has yet to make an impact with the team.

“That’s what Norv had me do with the Rams when they drafted Aaron Cox and Flipper Anderson,” Ellard said. “It’s a perfect role for me.”

In other news, the Rams began contract negotiations Wednesday with defensive end Robert Young, who has asked for $6 million for three years. The team also took a close look at USC defensive end Willie McGinest in preparation for the draft and worked out Charger linebacker Jerrol Williams and punter John Kidd.

Ellard’s Career

Yr. Rec. Yds. Avg. TD ’83 16 268 16.8 0 ’84 34 622 18.3 6 ’85 54 811 15.0 5 ’86 34 447 13.1 4 ’87 51 799 15.7 3 ’88 86 1414 16.4 10 ’89 70 1382 19.7 8 ’90 76 1294 17.0 4 ’91 64 1052 16.4 3 ’92 47 727 15.5 3 ’93 61 945 15.5 2 Tot. 593 9761 16.5 48