What’s the real deadline for Steven Jackson to report to Rams (hint: later than you think)
When St. Louis Rams running back and holdout Steven Jackson didn’t report to training camp on Tuesday, it was reported that Jackson would lose a credited season towards his unrestricted free agency because he didn’t report within 30 days off the start of the NFL regular season.
That apparently is wrong, and it gives Jackson some leverage in his standoff with the team.
As long as he reports before Week 10, he’ll get credit for fulfilling his contract and be eligible for unrestricted free agency ahead of the 2009 season because his contract expired and because the current NFL CBA requires players only have four years of seniority before unrestricted free agency.
Of course, the Rams would put the franchise tag on him after this season, but that’s another story.
Jackson has been fined just over $15,000 per day as he and his agent Eugene Parker attempt to negotiate a long-term extension with St. Louis.
The Rams open their preseason schedule on Saturday against the Tennessee Titans with their first regular-season game is on September 7 at the Philadelphia Eagles.
“If Jackson’s not here when we have our first week of practice for the Philly game, I would be pretty concerned,” Linehan said. “I don’t foresee that. I don’t think anybody knows when it’s going to happen. I am very confident it will.”
Drafted by the Rams in the first round in 2004, Jackson has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in three straight seasons. Last year, he ran for 1,002 yards despite missing four games with a variety of injuries.
He wants to be among the league’s highest-paid running backs. The Rams don’t have much behind him (Antonio Pittman, who has 38 career carries in the NFL, is currently second team), so this would be a huge hit if Jackson misses any of the regular season.
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