[MauiRam]

By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/15/2008

After meeting for a second time with Chris Long's agent, Rams executive Jay Zygmunt said he foresees no snags in the negotiations that would make the team's first-round draft pick late for training camp.

"We remain very optimistic that we're going to be able to get everything worked out and that Chris will be in camp on time," Zygmunt said after talks with agent Marvin Demoff on Monday in Los Angeles. "Marvin expressed how important that is to Chris, and we expressed how important it is to the Rams."

Zygmunt, the Rams' president of football operations and general manager, said he and Demoff first met last week and will meet again soon, perhaps even today. Repeated attempts to reach Demoff have been unsuccessful.

Long, a 6-foot-3, 279-pound defensive end out of the University of Virginia, was the No. 2 overall draft selection. He has been designated the starter at right end by Rams coach Scott Linehan.

The picks on either side of Long have been under contract for some time:

— The Miami Dolphins signed No. 1 overall pick Jake Long, an offensive tackle from Michigan, to a five-year, $57.75 million contract, which included a $30 million guaranteed bonus, five days before the April 26-27 draft.

— Former Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, the No. 3 pick, received a six-year, $72 million deal from the Atlanta Falcons on April 20 that included a guaranteed $34 million, as the third pick.

Also, Darren McFadden, a running back from Arkansas taken fourth by the Oakland Raiders, signed a six-year, $60 million contract, with $26 million guaranteed, on June 6.

Training camp opens next week in Mequon, Wis. Players are to report to Concordia University on July 24, with the first practice scheduled for the next morning.

The Rams have signed three of their eight draftees: tackle John Greco (third round pick), wide receiver Keenan Burton (fourth) and guard Roy Schuening (fifth). Others yet to come to terms are wide receiver Donnie Avery (second), cornerback Justin King (fourth), and linebackers Chris Chamberlain (seventh) and David Vobora (seventh).

Zygmunt said he and his assistant, Samir Suleiman, "have meetings scheduled for the rest of the week" with the players' representatives. "Obviously, the higher picks get highest priority right now," Zygmunt added. "That's what we're focused on."