Rams

The Los Angeles Rams traded holdout offensive tackle Irv Pankey to the Indianapolis Colts yesterday for a third-round pick and an undisclosed lower-round choice in next year's NFL draft.Pankey, whose holdout lasted 50 days, approved the trade when he agreed to terms on a three-year contract. The trade is contingent upon Pankey's passing a physical today.Pankey, 33, from Aberdeen, was a starter in nine of his 11 seasons as a Ram. He had been a fixture at left tackle since 1986.The Rams had offered Pankey a two-year contract worth $1 million before the trade.

St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz pulled a nifty reverse last week that would make even All-Pro running back Marshall Faulk envious if he weren't so wrapped up in the team's losing streak. In the aftermath of a 37-13 shellacking at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers, Martz questioned the Rams' effort and, in effect, heart. "I can honestly say the effort wasn't there," he said during his postmortem. By Monday, the Rams' 0-5 record notwithstanding, Martz saw a different world on his game tape.

Can the St. Louis Rams defend their Super Bowl title without a defense? Surrendering a league-worst 30.5 points a game this season, the Rams' defense ranks 27th overall and is the main reason St. Louis has lost three of its past five games. The Rams have not held an opponent under 20 points this year. It's a confusing turnabout for a team that lost just one starter from a defense that was the league's sixth best a year ago. "Sure, they can get better," coach Mike Martz said. "I don't see any lack of effort out there at all. We're just not, at times, playing smart.

Mike Wilcher, an eight-year linebacker with the Los Angeles Rams, was among eight players released yesterday.Yesterday was the first day this season of wholesale cuts, as NFL teams that opened training camp with 80-man rosters worked to get down to 60 by 4 p.m. today. They must cut to 47 by noon Monday, six days before the start of the regular season.Wilcher, 31, was a second-round draft choice in 1983. The former North Carolina star became a starter in 1984 and recorded 400 tackles, 38 1/2 sacks, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries as an outside linebacker in the Rams' 3-4 defense.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Rams have chosen to risk being evicted from their practice facility rather than accept a long-term lease to remain at Rams Park.John Shaw, Rams executive vice president, said that the Magnolia School District -- through the city of Anaheim -- notified the Rams recently that it had rejected the team's offer to double the rent for a two-year extension at Rams Park, the old Juliette Low School."I'd be frankly surprised if the school board tried to evict us," Shaw said.

1. The Ravens had virtually no offense and quarterback Scott Mitchell was sacked five times. This helped give the Rams a nearly 15-minute advantage in time of possession and fatigued the Ravens' defense, which started to get tired in the second quarter.2 The Ravens' secondary couldn't cover the Rams' receivers, especially Isaac Bruce, who had eight catches for 92 yards.3 The Ravens lost the third-down battles. The Ravens converted on only four of 14 on offense, while the Rams' offense was 7-for-14.

A delegation from St. Louis met for more than four hours yesterday in Los Angeles with Rams officials, and said the team was interested in what they had to offer."

The Los Angeles Rams are closer than ever to signing a lease to play in St. Louis, the Orange County Register reported in today's editions, but that does not mean the team is ready to leave Anaheim, Calif.Rams president John Shaw said yesterday that most details for a St. Louis lease are in place, including an oral agreement to sell a minority stake in the team to businessman Stan Kroenke if the Rams sign a lease.But, Shaw added, any St. Louis lease won't be the final word on the Rams' future.

Gov. William Donald Schaefer probably will meet with Los Angeles Rams officials during an economic development trip to California that begins Saturday.Orioles owner Peter G. Angelos, who is heading a group interested in bringing the team to Baltimore, also is expected to be in Los Angeles at the end of the week.Yesterday, Schaefer, who has made the return of the NFL to Baltimore a top priority in the remaining days of his administration, declined to comment on the Rams. "As far as I know, I'm going to meet the Disney people," he said.

Sunday: Rams 33, Ravens 22 Scoring Ravens 3 16 3 0 - 22 St. Louis 14 7 0 12 - 33 First quarter Rams-Faulk 5 run (Wilkins kick), 11:12. Rams 7, Ravens 0 Rams-Faulk 1 run (Wilkins kick), 9:28. Rams 14, Ravens 0 Ravens-FG Stover 41, 5:23. Rams 14, Ravens 3 Second quarter Ravens-FG Stover 25, 10:11. Rams 14, Ravens 6 Ravens-J.Lewis 2 run (pass failed), 6:43. Rams 14, Ravens 12 Rams-Archuleta 45 fumble return (Wilkins kick), 4:44. Rams 21, Ravens 12 Ravens-Ogden 1 pass from Boller (Stover kick)