Rams, Gandy Reach Accord on Contract

The Rams said Friday night they have reached an agreement on a five-year contract with Wayne Gandy, their first-round draft choice who is projected to start at left tackle.

“I think we have a deal,” said Jay Zygmunt, Ram senior vice president. “We are going to meet with them (today) to finalize the deal.”

Gandy, a 6-4, 290-pound selection from Auburn, arrived Friday in Orange County as a gesture of good faith and will be ready to join two-a-day practices at UC Irvine on Sunday.

“That’s what we came here for; I’m just glad to get it done,” said Gandy, who will receive a $2 million signing bonus as part of the deal. “I definitely believe I can be the starting left tackle. It just takes patience, confidence and keeping your composure.”

The Rams had Clarence Jones at left tackle to open training camp, a free agent who had not started a game in three years with the Giants. Irv Eatman, who started for the Rams a year ago on the left side, did not receive a contract offer from the team and subsequently signed with Atlanta.

The good health of quarterback Chris Miller, who has had two operations on his left knee, might well rely on the effectiveness of the team’s left tackle. Coach Chuck Knox has said left tackle might be the most difficult position for a rookie to learn, and historically rookie left tackles have not fared well.

Gandy chose to bypass June conditioning drills at Rams Park because of contract negotiations. His absence Friday had become a considerable concern for Knox.

The team offered Gandy $5.13 million earlier Friday, an increase from previous proposals. The Rams were so eager to land Gandy that they offered to pay him more than tackle Bernard Williams, whom Philadelphia selected just ahead of Gandy.

Gandy’s agent, Neil Schwartz, initially rejected the Rams’ proposal because under the present collective bargaining agreement a five-year contract would allow the Rams to maintain Gandy’s rights for a sixth season.

“The money isn’t the problem and we told the Rams not to come up with more money,” Schwartz said. “It’s the length of the deal. We’re interested in four years or a fifth year with the Rams agreeing to make him an unrestricted free agent (at the expiration of his contract).”

Schwartz, however, said he reserved the right to consult with his client, and after further discussions with Zygmunt, the two sides apparently came to an agreement.

“I think we have,” Zygmunt said, “but it’s been a crazy one, I’ll tell you that.”