Rams agree to terms with top pick Long

[evil disco man]

Rams agree to terms with top pick Long
By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/19/2008

The Rams on Saturday reached a contract agreement with Chris Long, the No. 2 overall selection in April’s NFL draft. Terms of the deal were not immediately available, although coach Scott Linehan indicated that it covers at least five years.

The deal, which Long is expected to sign early next week, guarantees that the 6-foot-3, 279-pound defensive end from the University of Virginia, will join his teammates when they report to Concordia University in Mequon, Wis., on Thursday. Practices begin Friday.

Long is the son of NFL Hall of Famer and current Fox network broadcaster Howie Long and the Rams’ highest overall draft selection since 1997, when they took tackle Orlando Pace with the No. 1 pick. Long is expected to start at right end, opposite veteran Leonard Little.

Jay Zygmunt, the Rams’ president of football operations and general manager, had met with Long’s Los Angeles-based agent, Marvin Demoff, several times before the deal was completed Saturday.

Linehan acknowledged that he was relieved to have Long in the fold. "I was kind of anxious to get moving on this," Linehan said. "There’s nothing guaranteed about when a guy’s going to sign and be in camp. He was obviously a high-profile pick for us, and I’m really excited about it."

Contracts for the Nos. 1 and 3 overall draft picks, Michigan tackle Jake Long and Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, respectively, were completed early. Miami signed Long to a five-year, $57.75 million contract, five days before the April 26-27 draft. Ryan received a six-year, $72 million deal from Atlanta Falcons on April 20.

Long is the fourth of the Rams’ eight draft picks in the fold. Previously signed were tackle John Greco (third round), wide receiver Keenan Burton (fourth) and guard Roy Schuening (fifth). Unsigned are wide receiver Donnie Avery (second), cornerback Justin King (fourth), and linebackers Chris Chamberlain (seventh) and David Vobora (seventh).

The others, Linehan said, should fall into line rapidly now that Long has a deal. "I don’t anticipate any problems with getting everbody signed by the time we start camp," he said. "You never say never, but it would be pretty uncommon for anything to hold up the next group of guys."

[TekeRam]

About time. I knew that he'd be signed by camp, because both he and his dad know that to be ready for the year he needs to be in camp, but still, they certainly cut it close enough. Next up, get Avery signed as he needs to assert himself as the number 3 guy.

[rampower]

Thank goodness. Glad that part is over, we need long in camp.

[Nick]

Originally Posted by TekeRam

About time. I knew that he'd be signed by camp, because both he and his dad know that to be ready for the year he needs to be in camp, but still, they certainly cut it close enough.

How so? You make it sound like this should have been done earlier. But excluding Mario Williams who signed in April of the year he was drafted, no Top Five pick from the last three years signed a deal before July 26th.

Maybe people were getting impatient because Jake Long, Matt Ryan, and Darren McFadden have all signed, I dunno. But going by past precedent, Long's actually a bit early in terms of being a top five pick agreeing to terms on a deal.

I'm anxious to see how he looks in camp.

[RamsFanSam]

Cool. Things are looking up for 2008!

[Bald_81]

Glad that that's over with. Now let's get the rest signed and play some football!

[Keenum]

Great news, glad to know he will be in camp getting those very valuable reps.

[BIG-BLUE]

SWEET! Now with a little bit of health & some luck we should have a very solid d-line to open the season with. Great news & now I'm pumped for the start of the season, Bring it on.

[LeBulger]

ESPN - Rams first-round pick Long agrees to six-year deal - NFL


Chris Long, the second overall pick in the NFL draft, reached agreement with the St. Louis Rams on Saturday night.

The financial terms of the five-year deal, with the option for a sixth, were not available. The Rams report to training camp at Concordia University in Mequon, Wis., on Thursday. The Rams anticipate the 279-pound Long starting at right end to beef up an anemic pass rush.

Long's signing means the top three picks have agreed to contracts before training camp. The Dolphins signed first overall pick Jake Long, an offensive tackle from Michigan, before the draft and quarterback Matt Ryan has signed with the Falcons.

The Rams have signed half of their eight picks.

--------------------------------------------------------------

We don't know how much it's worth yet, but THANK GOD we were able to get this done before camp. Man, what a relief.

Go Rams!

[schut39]

im happy for him and the rams

[shower beers]

I wanna see the $$$$

[r8rh8rmike]

Great to see this get done. Like Linehan, I was a little anxious to get it going, especially after the other top picks were signed, but then again I'm a worrier and a bit impatient. I guess there was no real need to rush it. It's done before camp and that's all that matters. Hopefully the other picks get signed before camp too and the team can get down to business with no distractions.

[majorram]

Real good news....this guy wanted to be in camp and its happened, can't wait to see what Long brings to the table

steve

[Tampa_Ram]

This is incredible news. I really didnt want this to turn into a J. Russel type problem, and i didnt think it would, you just never know. I am really happy about this.

4 down, 4 to go. getting there one contract at a time.

[RealRam]

Welcome to the 'real' NFL / Rams payroll Chris! May you have a great career (with us).