Lipps Goes Back To Bayou -- Steelers Castoff Signs With Saints

NEW ORLEANS - Louis Lipps, a wide receiver who also returned kicks during eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, will do both for the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints, short of both receivers and kick returners, announced yesterday that Lipps, 30, had agreed to a two-year contract. As is customary, team spokesman Neal Gulkis said the terms of Lipps' contract would not be disclosed.

Last season with Pittsburgh, Lipps earned a base salary of $750,000. The Steelers last week cut Lipps, their No. 1 draft choice in 1984, after he sat out all of training camp and the preseason.

"We certainly expect some good things from Louis," said Jim Finks, the Saints' president and general manager. "It was important that he be able to sign with a good team, and it just so happened the team happened to be in his hometown."

Lipps played high-school football 40 miles from New Orleans, has a home at LaPlace, La., and played college ball 180 miles away at Southern Mississippi.

Rison's disgust rising -- SUWANEE, Ga. - The agent for wide receiver Andre Rison, saying the Atlanta Falcons are setting his client up for failure, said he is ready to take Rison back to his Lansing, Mich., home for a rest.

"Forget about the money involved. I'm concerned about Andre's mental state now," said Charles Tucker. "It's them messing with his career. I could file suit. I'm angry and I want some answers. I better get some answers and get them soon or I'm going to take him out of there."

In two games, Rison has caught five passes for 53 yards and no touchdowns. He missed the first game because of a contract dispute.

Coach Jerry Glanville said Rison helped the team in Sunday's 10-7 loss to New Orleans. But he also said that Rison, who was playing out of his normal slot receiver position, broke off a few pass routes.

Rison said after the game he was "stressed out."

Tucker has since talked with Falcons vice president Jim Hay, but did not talk with club president Taylor Smith or Glanville.

Smith said the two-time Pro Bowl receiver seemed fine in team meetings Monday. The Falcons were off yesterday.

"Andre never says anything to us" about problems, Smith said.

Notes

-- Los Angeles Rams cornerback Todd Lyght, who suffered a separated shoulder Sunday against Miami, was put on injured reserve, and free-agent cornerback Sammy Lilly was signed. The Rams also waived running back Troy Stradford, who had been claimed on waivers Sept. 2.

-- Troy Kyles, a wide receiver who was among the San Francisco 49ers' final cuts, has been re-signed. The second-year pro out of Howard replaces John Taylor, who suffered a broken left leg during the 49ers' 31-14 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday. Taylor is expected to miss at least eight weeks.

-- The Pittsburgh Steelers placed rookie linebacker Elnardo Webster on injured reserve and signed linebacker Darryl Ford from Detroit's practice squad.