Rams resign RFA/ERFAs

[Nick]

Running back Clarett is slow in 40-yard dash
By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch
Saturday, Feb. 26 2005

INDIANAPOLIS - Maurice Clarett fizzled in his long-awaited workout at the NFL
scouting combine. Unofficially, the former Ohio State running back was clocked
in 4.82 seconds and 4.72 seconds in two runs of the 40-yard dash Saturday in
the RCA Dome.

Although Clarett is not known as a burner, his slow time astounded some in
attendance.

"I would have never dreamed it," one scout from an NFC East club said. "I
thought he'd at least run a 4.65."

Although Clarett appeared to be in much better shape physically this year than
last, one NFC West scout said Clarett looked fleshy at his workout.

Clarett was so disappointed after running his 40s that he put on his sweats and
stopped working out.

"It was a tough day," Clarett told the NFL Network.

In contrast, three running backs who worked out in Clarett's group Saturday
broke 4.5 seconds: California's J.J. Arrington (4.46), Auburn's Ronnie Brown
(4.48) and Michigan State's Deandra Cobb (4.49)

Pace update

Officials from the Rams and the New York Giants played down the Orlando Pace
"trade talks," but neither side denied that a conversation took place between
the clubs about Pace last week.

"There are inquiries made all the time in this league about players," Giants
general manager Ernie Accorsi said Saturday. "That's as much as I'll say about
that. Secondly, there are no trade talks going on."

A Rams official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said: "I don't think
it merits (discussion). It's not like this is even warm."

But the Rams did float Pace's name to the Giants, according to sources with
both teams.

Rams extend tenders

The Rams have made minimum one-year tender offers of $656,000 to all three of
their restricted free agents: fullback Joey Goodspeed, wide receiver Dane
Looker and long snapper Chris Massey.

Restricted free agents have three years NFL experience. By making the offers,
the Rams have matching rights if any of the three players get offers from other
teams. By tendering at the minimum level, the Rams get draft pick compensation
equal to each player's original draft position if they chose not to match an
offer.

Massey was a seventh-round draft pick. But because Goodspeed and Looker weren't
drafted, the club would get no compensation.

Rams sign three

Offensive lineman Scott Tercero, punter Kevin Stemke and linebacker Jeremy
Lloyd have signed one-year contracts with the Rams as exclusive rights free
agents.

Exclusive rights free agents are players with fewer than three years of NFL
experience.

[Chrisbob]

Always good cap business to try and resign your RFA's and ERFA's before free agency starts. because of rule 51 on the cap (only the top 51 salaries count vs the cap) your bottom guy drops off and the minimum tender or new contract only adds a $200k or so to the cap, not exactly cap busting.

And the guys who have just been tendered, at least you maintain the right to match any offer.