Shaw Says Rams Still Trying to Obtain Harper

Contrary to reports across the country, John Shaw, Ram executive vice president, said the team is continuing to negotiate a contract with Dallas wide receiver Alvin Harper with the intention of trading for him during the first round of the NFL draft.

“I think the deal is still alive,” Shaw said Friday night.

The Cardinals have offered a second-round pick to swap positions in the first round with the Rams, and the Vikings have dangled both of their first-round picks (No. 18 and 19) in front of the Rams for the fifth selection.

“We have had a number of inquiries about our first-round pick,” Shaw said, “but our intention is to take a quarterback (Tennessee’s Heath Shuler or Fresno State’s Trent Dilfer) if available, or make the trade for Harper.”

ESPN and several newspapers reported Friday that the Rams were out of the Harper sweepstakes, and that Harper was headed to Cleveland on draft day. The Rams, however, on Friday offered Harper more money than what had been presented by Cleveland.

Harper, a restricted free agent, has indicated a reluctance to play in Los Angeles and has told friends he wishes to play in the AFC to have a better chance of achieving Pro Bowl recognition.

“It’s my understanding he’s thinking about our offer,” Shaw said. “That’s what we’re pursuing.”

The Rams have agreed on a trade with Dallas contingent on Dilfer or Shuler not being available and Harper coming to terms. The Rams will surrender their first pick and receive Harper and a second-round pick from the Cowboys.

The order of the first four players expected to be taken Sunday remains unclear, but the Rams are now thinking that Shuler and Dilfer will be gone when they select. They believe there is a chance San Diego State running back Marshall Faulk will still be on the board when they select, but they have not decided how they would react to such a situation.

Running back Cleveland Gary, who is being counted on as Jerome Bettis’ backup this season, is attempting to work out a contract with Pittsburgh. The Steelers cannot sign Gary, however, without giving the Rams the opportunity to match an offer.