Possible 2009 Free Agent Jackson Ready for a Big Season

Rams running back Steven Jackson is already thinking about the future. 2009 that is. It’s then that Jackson, unless he gets a new deal done by then, is set to be a free agent as his rookie contract is set to expire. Jackson is talking for the first time about that prospect of being a free agent, and seems to be ready to have a big 08 to have a bigger payday in 2009.

“Well, we all know what happens in a contract year: you ball out,” Jackson said, laughing. “So, I expect to.”

2008 was a tough year for Jackson, as he was injured and was limited to 12 games. Combine his injury with a Rams O-line that was ravaged by injuries, and Jackson was barley able to get over 1000 yards, with 1002. He also scored just five times after crossing the goal line 13 times in 2007. In that same 2007, Jackson was among the best backs in the league, rushing for 1528 yards.

The Rams know that Jackson is a special talent that you don’t come across everyday. They will do their best to try to come up with a fair deal to keep him in the Gateway City, but if a deal can’t be reached, expect Jackson to put out for a great 2008 to ensure he can land a whopper deal in the offseason.

Pace a Welcome Sight on the Field at Minicamp

Good news for Rams fans, as Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Pace seems to be on the road to being back to being a big part of the Rams O-line in 2008.  Pace said on Saturday that he is ready to go, and is 100 precent as training camp gets closer.  “I’m just getting ready for training camp,” said Pace. “I’m not going to complain about missing some of training camp, but we’ll see what the doctors say.”

Pace being at camp is a big deal, as he has missed three training camps since he was designated as a franchise player, and he held out.  Now, after a season in which his injury put the Rams O-line in total chaos for the whole year, he’s back and it looks like things for St.Louis could be turning around and heading in the right direction after hitting rock bottom last season.

“Orlando is not going to take much at all until we get back into training camp,” coach Scott Linehan said. “He will do all of the walkthroughs and the individuals. He will be cleared and good to go for training camp. We can’t put him in that position yet.”  Pace will be 33 in November, and the former #1 pick still has good football ahead of him, and his play will be a lift for a franchise hopefully headed back up to being a force in the NFC.

Rams Open Minicamp

The Rams open their first minicamp of the 2008-2009 season this afternoon at their Russell Training Center.  Scott Linehan will put his team through the paces for two hours today, tomorrow and Sunday with conditioning and meetings also a part of the weekend workouts.  First round draft pick Chris Long, the defensive lineman out of Virginia, will wear jersey-number 72.  Following minicamp, the Rams will begin a series of once-a-week workouts called Organized Team Activities.  Those will run from May 15th to June 12th.  They open full training camp in July.

Scott Linehan On The Rams Upcoming Season

Minicamp On The Horizon for the Rams

The Rams begin a full squad minicamp on Friday that will run through Sunday in Earth City.  Players on the current roster and rookies are expected to work out together for the first time in an official capacity.  Rams head coach Scott Linehan will get a look at all the new members of his team including Virginia defensive end Chris Long.  The pass rusher was taken with the second overall pick in the NFL Draft last month.

Rams Agree With A Dozen

The Rams roster continues to grow following the signing of 13 undrafted rookie free agents yesterday.  This is in addition to the eight players the team picked up via the NFL Draft this past weekend.  Virginia defensive end Chris Long was the franchise’s top choice with the second overall selection.  The Rams will hold a brief minicamp from May 9th through 11th in Earth City.

Rams Wrap Up Draft with Eight Picks

The Rams added a total of eight new players during the two-day event including Houston wide receiver Donnie Avery, Toledo offensive lineman John Greco and Penn State cornerback Justin King.  Idaho linebacker David Vobora was chosen by the franchise with the final pick of the draft, also known as Mr. Irrelevant.

Rams Select DE Chris Long With The Second Pic

Rams go Long with Second Pick of the Draft

The rebuilding of the St.Louis Rams will start with Virginia defensive end Chris Long.  As expected, Long was picked by the Rams with the 2nd overall pick in Saturday’s NFL Draft in New York.  Hugging his father, former Raider and Hall of Famer Howie Long, Chris took the stage in New York holding the Rams jersey with a big smile. We’ll see if he can give the Rams smiles for the next 10-12 years.

Here is a scouting report on Long from NFLdraftcountdown.com

Strengths:
Has good size and bulk…Very active and has an unparalleled motor…Hard worker and team leader with top-notch intangibles…Strong, tough and powerful…Sheds blocks well…Outstanding hand use…Does a terrific job versus the run…Technically sound and understands leverage…Great in pursuit and has a burst to close…Real smart with good instincts and awareness…Versatile and could play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme..Durable…Has a lot of experience..Had a fantastic senior campaign.

Weaknesses:
Doesn’t have great timed speed or quickness…May not have a lot of upside…Not a great natural pass rusher…Isn’t going to strike fear into the hearts of opposing offensive tackles off the edge…Was not overly productive prior to his senior year.

Notes:
Father, Howie, was an All-American defensive end at Villanova and enjoyed a 13 season Hall of Fame career with the Oakland Raiders where he made 7 Pro Bowl appearances, won a Super Bowl ring, and was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year twice…Younger brother, Kyle, is a standout baseball player…Chris won the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end in 2007…Played in a 3-4 defense in college and that might be his best fit at the next level…May never be an “elite” NFL defensive end but he should be a very good player for a long time.

Rams Won’t Train In Oshkosh

Officials from the Rams informed UW-Oshkosh Tuesday that the NFL team will not use the school for its training camp. The Rams visited the campus last week. The team is still considering using Concordia University in Mequon for its camp location, along with sites in Madison and Macomb, Illinois.