[Post-Dispatch]: Terrell still absent from Rams' offseason program

[evil disco man]

By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
04/04/2007

Claude Terrell is on his way to St. Louis for the Rams’ offseason conditioning program. Terrell’s agent, Kennard McGuire, just can’t say when.

"He’s been in constant contact with the organization," McGuire told the Post-Dispatch on Wednesday. "He has some family situations that he has to resolve. He had some things that were unexpected that he had to take care of."

By the end of this week, Terrell will have missed the first three weeks of the Rams’ offseason conditioning program. If there’s anyone who needs to show the coaching staff that he’s committed to playing football, it’s Terrell. A pleasant surprise during his rookie season of 2005, Terrell started 10 games at left guard, showing particular acumen as a run blocker.

But a wrist injury sabotaged Terrell’s 2006 season. Terrell sent out confusing signals about whether he was going to have wrist surgery. Once he was placed on the injured reserve list last Aug. 28, Terrell was rarely seen at Rams Park. By all accounts, Terrell had worked his way into coach Scott Linehan’s doghouse. But at the NFL Scouting Combine in late February, Linehan said he was willing to wipe the slate clean and give Terrell a fresh start on the 2007 season.

But then came the start of the team’s offseason conditioning program on March 19, with Terrell a no-show.

"He’s coming in (for the offseason program) as soon as he can," McGuire said. "As soon as he gets things squared away, St. Louis is his first trip."

McGuire said Terrell’s wrist is fine.

Play dough

The three-year contract signed by free-agent linebacker Chris Draft is for $4.28 million. It includes a $1.3 million signing bonus and base salaries of $720,000 in ’07, $830,000 in ’08, and $1.225 million in ’09. The deal also includes offseason workout bonuses of $100,000 in both ’08 and ’09.

The one-year contract signed by cornerback Mike Rumph is worth $595,000, with no signing bonus.

Latest figures from the NFL Players Association shows the Rams with $8.6 million of cap space.

Walls signs

Cornerback Lenny Walls, who agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Rams nearly two weeks ago, finally signed the contract Wednesday.

Byrd update

Tight end Dominique Byrd pled not guilty on March 28 to driving under the influence and unlicensed driver charges in Los Angeles. Byrd has a pre-trial hearing scheduled for April 26.

[Jonze]

How much cap-room do we need for the rookies this year? Is it around 5 mil? So that will leave around 3 for security in case of injuries. That's ok i guess.
That Terrell guy, man, like to know what's going on in his head! He's missing a great opportunity to prove himself to the coaching staff...

[81~BIG-GAME]

How much cap-room do we need for the rookies this year? Is it around 5 mil? So that will leave around 3 for security in case of injuries. That's ok i guess.
That Terrell guy, man, like to know what's going on in his head! He's missing a great opportunity to prove himself to the coaching staff...

Don't forget it is likely(hopefully) that Bulger will also get an extension at some point heading into next season..

[HUbison]

How much cap-room do we need for the rookies this year? Is it around 5 mil? So that will leave around 3 for security in case of injuries. That's ok i guess.

You answered your own question really. With the projected increase, the pool is probably about $5.5 M, leaving (as you said) about $3 M. Plenty to do a little more if need be.

[1st & Goal]

How much of the cap room will be used up in the draft? I realize there is designated amount of money available to sign draft picks, but I am almost positive it still counts against the cap.

[keith m. klink]

last year the rams wanted between 7-8 million to sign rookies . i think that is to make sure the rookies can and will get signed , and if the second wave of free agents hit's the open market , there is a little cash in the cookie jar , just incase the rams wanna spring for pizza's.

[HUbison]

How much of the cap room will be used up in the draft? I realize there is designated amount of money available to sign draft picks, but I am almost positive it still counts against the cap.

As I said,

With the projected increase, the pool is probably about $5.5 M, leaving (as you said) about $3 M. Plenty to do a little more if need be.

[Goldenfleece]

It's a shame that Terrell isn't taking this more seriously. He'd be a promising young lineman if he wasn't going off to do his own thing first with the wrist and now off-season training. Honestly, Terrell is not a guy who needs to be missing out on the conditioning program.

[Country]

If Terrell could come in and earn his starting spot back he would be a size and strength upgrade over Setterstrom. He also gives the Rams excellent depth along the interior.

He needs to get things together and start acting like a pro.

[txramsfan]

Well, isn't this workout session.......voluntary?

I realize there's nothing "voluntary" about this workout.

[viper]

You answered your own question really. With the projected increase, the pool is probably about $5.5 M, leaving (as you said) about $3 M. Plenty to do a little more if need be.

Does that leave us enough to do anything with Bulger and the 2nd round of free agency?

[RealRam]

He [Terrell] needs to get things together and start acting like a pro.

And start NOW. NOW

Claude could be missing out on replacing Timmerman as one of the true doughnut brothers (not that he has Timmerman's skills as an OL or a doughnut meister). Let's see if he indeed is capable of starting anew as a pro.

[bruce4life]

i just dont understand players these days... your playing professional football!!!!!!!! it is an honor and a privelage to be playing it... i would kill to have skills like the players in the nfl... in high school, i ran a 4.58 but i'm only a 5'7'' white boy so it was hard to get looked at in colleges... THESE PLAYERS IN THE NFL NOW ARE BABIES... GO OUT AND ENJOY IT, DONT ***** ABOUT IT

[HUbison]

Does that leave us enough to do anything with Bulger and the 2nd round of free agency?

GC would be better to answer this, but I believe if done right, Bulger's extension could even lower his current cap hit.