OT Jason Smith Agrees to Restructure

[codeman123]

From Rotoworld -
"A league source tells MacsFootballBlog.com Rams RT Jason Smith has agreed to slash his $10 million 2012 salary to $4 million.
However, his salary will be "fully guaranteed," and includes a $500,000 roster bonus. Smith has also agreed to void the final year of his rookie deal (2014), while 2013 is now a voidable year for the Rams. They're massive concessions for a former No. 2 overall pick, but Smith is lucky he wasn't released outright following another season marred by injury and ineffectiveness. The fact he'll still make a healthy $4 million suggests he remains locked in as the Rams' starting right tackle."

From Mac's Football Blog -
'St. Louis Rams offensive tackle Jason Smith agreed to restructure his contract this week, a league source confirmed on Saturday.

Signed to a five-year, $54 million contract as the No. 2 overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, Smith had been scheduled to earn $10 million in base salary in 2012 and $12 million in base salary 2013, with 2014 being a voidable year.

Under the restructure, Smith's base salary in 2012 has been reduced to a fully guaranteed $4 million and he will also receive a $500,000 roster bonus, a pay cut of $5.5 million for this season. The 2014 season season has been deleted, so the $3.2675 million in option bonus proration has been accelerated onto the Rams' 2012 cap.

Despite that acceleration, Smith's 2012 cap number will go from $13.2675 million to $11.035 million, a reduction of $2.2325 million.

The 2013 season of Smith's contract, which is now voidable, has also been restructured. The $12 million base salary has been replaced with a $750,000 base salary and a $11.25 million roster bonus, a reflection of how critical a season 2012 is to Smith's long-term future with the Rams.

Drafted to man the left tackle position, Smith's rookie season was cut short by a concussion. While Smith started 15 games in 2010, he lost the left tackle spot to that year's second round pick, Rodger Saffold. Smith started the first five games in 2011 before landing on injured reserve with another major concussion.

Smith is expected to remain at right tackle and Rams offensive line coach Paul Boudreau is looking to improve his technique.

"I'm trying to show him some patience," Boudreau said according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "And trying to get him to use his hands more than leaning into blocks. Just trying to slow him down. Trying to make the game slower by using good technique as opposed to going out and killing every guy you play.

"Because when he goes out there, if he hits (the defender), he hits him. But if he misses, it's a dead shot on the quarterback. So we're trying to get him to think a little bit more about his balance and his base, and where he is at the collision point. And not always try to go out and try to knock a guy out. Just block a guy. Don't knock him out."

[Trevor]

So glad that he agreed to restructure because so far he has been the biggest disappointment in the past decade.

[Tampa_Ram]

About time. This is final chance, i hope he does great with it.

[AvengerRam]

The timing of this is interesting. I wonder if the Rams are trying to clear cap space so they will have more flexibility in terms of potential draft weekend trades involving veteran players.

[Rammed]

the timing of this is interesting. I wonder if the rams are trying to clear cap space so they will have more flexibility in terms of potential draft weekend trades involving veteran players.

the plot thickens!

This is essentially a one year deal now. And he needs to perform at ProBowl level to ever see that bonus next year.

[codeman123]

This is essentially a one year contract now, that is worth 4.5 million for him.
Now the Rams can get out of his contract next season with no dead money.

As far as trading for veteran players, it could be a possibility, but the Rams needed cap space just to pay for the players they are going to draft. They were dangerously low in space.

[BarronWade]

Jason Smith now has a huge chip on his shoulder to perform next season...Hey maybe he can reach his full potential and become our franchise LT like he was suppose to be

[AvengerRam]

the Rams needed cap space just to pay for the players they are going to draft. They were dangerously low in space.

Accordingly to whom?

[Bald_81]

The 2013 season of Smith's contract, which is now voidable, has also been restructured. The $12 million base salary has been replaced with a $750,000 base salary and a $11.25 million roster bonus, a reflection of how critical a season 2012 is to Smith's long-term future with the Rams.

This speaks volumes to me with regards to Smith's future with us. Unless he plays at near Pro Bowl level, I don't see how paying his roster bonus next year is warranted. We'll likely cut ties and find a replacement, however like I said it's predicated on his play this season. Maybe we draft a potential replacement or project in the draft this year, who knows.

I'm a fan of this move (like I'm sure everyone else will be) so kudos to Smith and the Rams for getting this done.

EDIT: I shouldn't have left out the possibility of re-signing Smith to a contract if he was cut.

[sosa39rams]

Its about time.

[codeman123]

Accordingly to whom?

According to me and my Salary Cap thread.

There is a 122.2 cap. The Rams now have 118.58 (approximately) under contract, and it costs around 3-4 million against the cap for new drafted players (because the lowest contracts are removed from the highest paid 53 on the roster).

Add 2 million to that (from what just got reduced by Smith restructure), and its over the cap.

[Tampa_Ram]

"The 2013 season of Smith's contract, which is now voidable, has also been restructured. The $12 million base salary has been replaced with a $750,000 base salary and a $11.25 million roster bonus."

Ok, im not close to the best when it comes to understanding Cap hits. So having said that:

What will the Cap hit be in 2013 for Smith? Will any of the $11.25 bonus that he makes count against the cap?

Sorry if its a dumb question, im just really bad when it comes to contracts and cap hits.

[THOLTFAN81]

Thumbs up !

[ZiaRam]

wow thank god! I cant wait till our 2013 off season it is going to be interesting in the FA market and resigning some of our key players!

[laram0]

"Just block a guy" = Priceless!