6 of 8 picks signed

Rams complete negotiations for most draft picks
By
Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/14/2007
With two weeks remaining before training camp, the Rams have successfully completed negotiations with six of their eight draft picks. On Friday, the team agreed to three-year deals with Clemson center Dustin Fry, Michigan State defensive tackle Clifton Ryan and Georgia tackle Ken Shackleford.

Fry and Ryan were fifth-round selections; Shackleford was taken in the sixth round. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Signed previously were Tennessee cornerback Jonathan Wade, a third-round selection, plus seventh-rounders Keith Jackson, a defensive tackle from Arkansas, and Derek Stanley, a wide receiver from Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Still without deals are Nebraska defensive lineman Adam Carriker, the team’s first-round selection (No. 13 overall), and Rutgers running back Brian Leonard, a second-rounder.

The 6-foot-3, 314-pound Fry started for two seasons at Clemson and was an All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick as a senior. He was a state-champion wrestler at Summerville (S.C.) High. Veterans Andy McCollum and Brett Romberg are expected to compete for the starting job at center. Fry, who also will get a look at guard, could earn a job as backup or land on the practice spot.

Ryan, 6-3 and 310, was recruited as a linebacker and also played defensive end for the Spartans. He made 35 starts, collecting 118 tackles and 10½ sacks. Barring a deal for a veteran defensive tackle, Ryan and Jackson are expected to compete for a backup assignment on the line.

Shackleford, 6-5 and 330, played tackle and guard in college. He started a strongside tackle his junior and senior years. Shackleford probably is headed for the practice squad.

I think it's great too.

Too bad the Rams are so slow at negotiating contracts or they'd have all the picks signed.

[Note: if you read this post, you have now ingested your USRDA of sarcasm]