Rams sign James Laurinaitis to five-year contract extension.

[Rambos]

Jim Thomas ‏@jthom1

Rams sign James Laurinaitis to five-year contract extension.
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Yes!!!!!!!!

Again as some said when the Pats got Salas that's why they keep winning. The same praise should be said about our new regime! They are locking up the future... as we add all this young talent over the next three years, we will have the talent that is already here. Nice JOB FO!

Rams signed LB James Laurinaitis to a five-year, $41.5 million extension that runs through 2017 and includes $23.5 mil guaranteed.

[Tampa_Ram]

5 year $41.5 million

So happy about this. Would of hated losing Long or Jlau.

[Rambos]

Jim Thomas ‏@jthom1

Rams exec VP Kevin Demoff: "There is no player who embodies what we want on and off the field more than James Laurinaitis."
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[r8rh8rmike]

IMO, JLau is THE guy on defense, the heart and soul and a future Pro Bowler. If anything is going to turnaround, he needs to be in the mix. Great move to get this taken care of.

[AvengerRam]

Thumbs up!

[Keenum]

Been hoping we would hear this soon, glad it's done now!

[MikeD]

Super excited about this! Best investment I've read in a long time!

[SWFCRAM]

Fantastic news! Some serious long term pieces in place on defence - Laurinaitis, Long, Finnegan, Quinn Jenkins and Brockers.

[fliptalianstallion]

[r8rh8rmike]

28 minutes ago • BY JIM THOMAS

Just before boarding a bus to Lambert Airport for the flight to Detroit and Sunday's season opener against the Lions, linebacker James Laurinaitis had one last piece of business.

He signed a five-year, $41.5 million contract extension that should keep him in St. Louis through the 2017 season. Of that total, $23.5 million is guaranteed. Laurinaitis' contract numbers for this season do not change, so there are no cap ramifications in the new deal for 2012.

It's been a big week for Laurinaitis, a fourth-year player from Ohio State who was drafted in the second round of the 2009 draft. He was also voted the team's defensive captain. At the start of camp, the team signed defensive end Chris Long to a contract extension that runs through the 2016 season. So two foundation pieces of the team's defense _ both of whom had been scheduled for unrestricted free agency after this season _ are now under contract for the next several years.

[general counsel]

This is great news on many levels. Laurinaitis is a perfect guy to build around. Nothing negative to say at all about him, and i was thrilled at the time and remain thrilled today that we took him instead of manugulalaa from usc.

Just as importantly, and maybe more so, this signing shows the benefits of stability in ownership and the willingness to spend the money to look out for the long term future of the team. Stan has the cash and is willing to spend it when he doesnt have to (ie we could have waited until the end of the year). This is a smart foresighted decision and points out so many of the shortcomings of the prior ownership regime, especially the uncertainty following the death of georgia and the troubling interim period when the team was "sold" pending kroenke's right of first refusal.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[Rambos]

signing shows the benefits of stability in ownership

I agree, seems like the Rams have a real long term plan and are being aggressive about their business.

Now we can focus on Amendola, which was already rumored they have been talking.

[Rambos]

James Laurinaitis called to office right before the Rams leave for Detroit.

[MikeB1603]

Same amount of years that Fisher's contract is for. 5 year plan is the new 3 year plan.

[sosa39rams]

Another great move. 2 down, 1 to go (SJAX).