[Nick]

Rams offer Bruce extension, get set for free agency period
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Thursday, Mar. 02 2006

Wide receiver Isaac Bruce is mulling over a contract extension offer that could
all but ensure he retires as a Ram. With the start of the free agency period
still on track for Friday, the Rams are hoping for an answer from Bruce today,
before a $1.5 million roster bonus he is due from the club Friday.

An extension for Bruce would help create cap space for the free-agent period.
The Rams made no roster cuts Wednesday but are expected to release middle
linebacker Chris Claiborne today. Claiborne is due a $500,000 roster bonus
Friday. Releasing him would free up about $1.4 million of cap space.

The Rams are talking with prospective free agents Ryan Pickett and Adam
Archuleta, but there are no indications that a contract agreement is imminent
with either player. Pickett, a defensive tackle, and Archuleta, a strong
safety, should draw interest in free agency. Washington could be a suitor for
Archuleta.

Meanwhile, the team made decisions on tender offers for seven restricted free
agents, according to president of football operations Jay Zygmunt.

The Rams made a first-round tender offer of about $1.5 million to wide receiver
Kevin Curtis and an "original draft position" offer of about $720,000 to wide
receiver Shaun McDonald, defensive end Brandon Green and cornerback DeJuan
Groce.

Restricted free agents are players with three years of NFL experience. In
exchange for the $1.5 million one-year offer to Curtis, the Rams can match any
outside offers on Curtis. But if they choose not to match, they get a
first-round draft pick as compensation.

In the case of McDonald, Green and Groce, the Rams get matching rights and
compensation equal to the player's original draft position if they choose not
to match. McDonald and Green would bring a fourth-round pick; Green would bring
a sixth-round pick.

The Rams did not make tender offers to three other restricted free agents,
officially cutting their ties with safety Mike Furrey, running back Arlen
Harris and cornerback-kickoff returner Chris Johnson. Furrey started 11 games
for the Rams last season and led the team with four interceptions.

Also, the Rams have signed quarterback Jeff Smoker and agreed to terms with
offensive lineman Blaine Saipaia on one-year contracts as exclusive rights free
agents. Exclusive rights free agents are players with fewer than three years
NFL experience.

The Rams did not make tender offers to exclusive rights free agents Jeremy
Loyd, a linebacker, and Matt Morgan, an offensive tackle.

Wow, Rams aren't bringing back Furrey. Guess our need at safety just got bigger.

Not surprised to see Curtis get the first round tender. I doubt anyone makes him an offer with that compensation, so he's ours for at least one more year.