Ram Notebook : Irvin Thinks Positively, Hopes for Fresh Start

Keeping LeRoy Irvin quiet has never been easy, or much fun, but the Ram cornerback has been the model of decorum during minicamp this week, leading some to believe that his days of being disgruntled will soon be over.

“I’m out here to win back the respect of my team,” a subdued Irvin said after Wednesday’s workout. “I’m here to get back on the good side of my team and my coaches.”

Quite a switch from the old Irvin, who last year seemed one well-placed adjective away from the next bus out of town. Irvin, who only last month was still steamed over the two-year, $1-million contract extension he signed in March of 1987, has been working up quite a sweat this week at an offensive players’ minicamp that he was not required to attend.

Enough said.

Charles Chin, Irvin’s agent, would not confirm that the Rams and Irvin are close to terms on a possible renegotiation. But something seems to be in the works.

“The reason he is out there now is because the Rams at this point are making efforts to resolve the matter,” Chin said. “I will not comment on how well it’s going, but they’re making efforts. Certain adjustments are being proposed. He’s out there in good faith, and the Rams in good faith are listening.”

Ram Coach John Robinson has been almost as quiet as Irvin on the matter.

“The best thing about the whole set of circumstances is, the less said the better,” Robinson said.

Irvin, who has been unusually low-keyed during this week’s workouts, was unwilling to share the details of his contractual situation. But actions, it seems, are speaking louder than words.

“All I’m saying is that I’m a guy who knows he wants to be the best in the league,” Irvin said.

Ram Notes

Minicamp ends with workouts today. Wide receiver Henry Ellard returned to practice Wednesday after a bout with chicken pox. “They say that once you’re an adult, it’s real dangerous,” Ellard said of the virus. “They said it could be deadly. It had me worried.” Luckily for Ellard, his case was relatively mild. . . . Ellard is trying to make it to July training camp without any more distractions. He has missed the opening of three training camps in five years because of contractual problems, and that has led to slow starts and hamstring problems. “I think I have a chance for a 70-catch season,” said Ellard, who was the team leader in receptions last season with 51 for 799 yards and 3 touchdowns. Ram Coach John Robinson agreed. “He should be up there with the best receivers in the league,” he said. . . . Donald Evans has lost 40 pounds in his continuing effort to make the transition from defensive end to fullback. Evans, the team’s second-round draft choice in 1987, said he is down to 241 pounds and is very hungry. He also announced that he was recently married.