Rams’ Ellard Becomes a Redskin : Pro football: Eleven-year veteran and team’s all-time receiving leader signs two-year, $1.8- million deal.

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,” Ellard said Wednesday after signing a two-year, $1.8-million contract with the Washington Redskins.

Ellard leads the Rams in receptions (593) and receiving yards (9,761) in his 11 seasons. He will receive an $800,000 signing bonus from the Redskins and $500,000 each year.

Last season, Ellard earned $850,000 with the Rams.

The team hopes to replace Ellard with Houston Oiler wide receiver Haywood Jeffires, who remains an unrestricted free agent. The Rams are also talking to Houston about a trade for tackle Kevin Donnalley.

The Rams 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.

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 (Coach) Norv Turner, who worked with me for five years when he was with the Rams.”

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

Ram Notes

The Rams began contract talks Wednesday with defensive end Robert Young, who asked for $6 million for three years.