July 2008 - Posts

• Rams Steven Jackson still a now show - but texting his coach

  ST LOUIS RAMS (stlrams.com) - St Louis Rams head coach Scott Linehan has admitted that he is still unsure when running back Steven Jackson will report to training camp. Jackson, who is in the last season of a five-year contract, has not been at camp since the team was scheduled to report at Concordia University last Friday. The former Pro Bowler officially has been listed as a contract holdout. When talking to reporters on Monday, Linehan said he has still not spoken to Jackson but has stayed in contact with him via text messaging. "(Jackson) just says, 'I'm working, I ran today, lifted, how'd practice go,' that kind of stuff," Linehan said. "We just kind of let him know where we're at and things that are going on. He's real focused on what's going on at camp, so his head's definitely in the right place." The Rams and Jackson's agent, Eugene Parker, have been negotiating a long-term extension, and signing him is "a priority" Linehan said last Friday. Drafted by the Rams in the first round in 2004, Jackson has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in three straight seasons. Last year, he ran for 1,002 yards despite missing four games with a variety of injuries. Posted Jul 28 2008, 06:05 PM by RamFan with no comments Filed under: Scott Linehan, St Louis Rams, Eugene Parker

• St Louis Rams defensive end Victor Adeyanju out two-to-four weeks

  ST LOUIS RAMS (stlrams.com) -  St. Louis Rams defensive end Victor Adeyanju will be sidelined two-to-four weeks after breaking his right middle finger in practice Sunday. Adeyanju, a fourth-round pick in 2006 who started seven games last year, was sent back to St. Louis on Monday to have pins inserted. Coach Scott Linehan said it could be as short as two weeks and as long as a month before Adeyanju is cleared to return. He is competing for a backup spot at end after the Rams took Chris Long with the second pick of the draft. Adeyanju started nine games his rookie season after the Rams released Anthony Hargrove in a disciplinary move, and is perhaps the team's best run defender. "Once he gets that wound healed he'll be able to get some work done with a club on that hand," Linehan said. "It's a complete fluke deal." Posted Jul 28 2008, 06:00 PM by RamFan with no comments Filed under: Victor Adeyanju, Scott Linehan, Chris Long

• Rams sign second overall pick DE Chris Long

  The St. Louis Rams and defensive end Chris Long, the second overall pick in the draft, reached an agreement on a contract Saturday night, according to a published report. Long, the son of Hall of Famer Howie Long, is expected to sign a deal that covers at least five years early next week, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on its web site. The Rams report to training camp at Concordia University in Mequon, Wis., on Thursday. Phone messages left by the Associated Press with Long's agent, Marvin Demoff, and the team weren't immediately returned. But coach Scott Linehan told the newspaper he was relieved. "I was kind of anxious to get moving on this," Linehan said. "There's nothing guaranteed about when a guy's going to sign and be in camp. "He was obviously a high-profile pick for us and I'm really excited about it." The Rams anticipate the 279-pound Long starting at right end to beef up an anemic pass rush. Long's signing means the top three picks have agreed to contracts before training camp. The Dolphins signed first overall pick Jake Long, an offensive tackle from Michigan, before the draft and quarterback Matt Ryan has signed with the Falcons. The Rams have signed half of their eight picks. --> Posted Jul 20 2008, 12:04 AM by RamFan with no comments Filed under: Chris Long