ESPN News just reported...

[Emskirch]

Per Chris Mort that the St Louis Rams CAN NOT negotiate with a college player.

Interesting; thought I would throw that out there.

 

[CitizenSnips]

yeah cause it's not official that Jake is our pick until 3 on saturday.

 

[Myles Fynch]

Per Chris Mort that the St Louis Rams CAN NOT negotiate with a college player.

Interesting; thought I would throw that out there.

Let me say that I know we aren't trading Jake Long. We invited the man and his parents to the press conference announcing his signing. It would be an extremely crappy thing to do to him and his family.

But the point is, that if the Rams aren't on the clock, then we still are. That, in and of itself, is newsworthy.

That's all.

 

[South Florida]

I don't know where, but I heard that the issue is the signing.

He apparently hasn't signed yet. He has promised to sign.

When he signs, I think the Rams can go at it.

I could be wrong. Probably am.

 

[#13 Rulz]

I honestly think it's almost because the NFL knows that IF teams have the chance, then they could see the top 3, 4 maybe 5 picks come to terms with teams as each team gets their guy before the draft, thus killing the moment itself on Saturday at 3pm. I mean, that's why you allow # 1 to do it but no others, fearing that teams might line up before the big show to do their work and make the beginning anti-climactic.

 

[Emskirch]

I don't know where, but I heard that the issue is the signing.

He apparently hasn't signed yet. He has promised to sign.

When he signs, I think the Rams can go at it.

I could be wrong. Probably am.

I thought that too, which is why I found it interesting, didn't Ireland say that he signed the contract at the press conference?

 

[burger13]

Ireland said explicitly that Long has signed and he IS a Miami Dolphin.

 

[FinAtic8480]

Long is signed, Ireland made it very clear in the Press Conference. Some of you really need to take the time and hear these things. It would save you alot of time.

 

[Myles Fynch]

Long is signed, Ireland made it very clear in the Press Conference. Some of you really need to take the time and hear these things. It would save you alot of time.

To be fair, there was nothing clear in the audio I heard from the Dolphin's site. It sounded like crap, and that's being kind. If someone didn't hear something stated during that presser, I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

 

[T.K.O.]

The contract, as w/ all NFL contracts, has to get league approval before they are official. Once thats done I see no reason why the Rams couldnt start

 

[burger13]

The contract, as w/ all NFL contracts, has to get league approval before they are official. Once thats done I see no reason why the Rams couldnt start

the reason would simply be 'the rules'.

no reason they shouldn't be able to negotiate....but apparently they are not. Clayton reported it clear as day ....Im thinking he didn't just make it up.

 

[esafille]

yeah cause it's not official that Jake is our pick until 3 on saturday.

strange, though, because aren't the Dolphins not officially on the clock until 3pm? How is it that we can negotiate then? I'm sure the Rams will try to lock someone up, if they don't pull off a trade

 

[Duriel]

I honestly think it's almost because the NFL knows that IF teams have the chance, then they could see the top 3, 4 maybe 5 picks come to terms with teams as each team gets their guy before the draft, thus killing the moment itself on Saturday at 3pm. I mean, that's why you allow # 1 to do it but no others, fearing that teams might line up before the big show to do their work and make the beginning anti-climactic.

I'm sure this is at least a factor in the NFL's rule about this.

 

[T.K.O.]

the reason would simply be 'the rules'.

no reason they shouldn't be able to negotiate....but apparently they are not. Clayton reported it clear as day ....Im thinking he didn't just make it up.

Well the rules apparently arnt clear because

A. The Rams had to call the league office to see what they could do
B. The league office didnt have an answer right away
C. Both P.Kirwin and Gil Bradnt, two former NFL GM's and not a nerdy little reporter, seem to think once the league approves the contract the Rams may begin there negotiations

 

[burger13]

Well the rules apparently arnt clear because

A. The Rams had to call the league office to see what they could do
B. The league office didnt have an answer right away
C. Both P.Kirwin and Gil Bradnt, two former NFL GM's and not a nerdy little reporter, seem to think once the league approves the contract the Rams may begin there negotiations

thank you, come again:

THE RAMS APPARENTLY ARE NOT ON THE CLOCK
Posted by Mike Florio on April 22, 2008, 10:18 p.m.
We have long presumed — apparently based on reports we read when the Texans struck a deal with David Carr in early April of 2002 or when the Bengals agreed to terms with Carson Palmer prior to the 2003 draft — that the team with the No. 2 overall pick would acquire the ability to negotiate with one or more players after the first overall selection is under contract.

And we’re not ashamed to admit that our understanding apparently was wr-wr-wr-wr-screwed up.

Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports that the league has informed the St. Louis Rams that they are not permitted to negotiate with any of the other draft prospects between now and Saturday. The decision reportedly came from the league’s management council.

Apparently, however, the league is engaged in “internal discussions†that could eventually allow the Rams to negotiate with one or more players before being on the clock at of Saturday afternoon.

We’re surprised that the league hadn’t already addressed this issue before today, and we don’t understand why the Rams wouldn’t be permitted to negotiate with any player whom they choose now that Jake Long is signed, sealed, and delivered.

Hopefully, we’ll get some answers to those questions soon.