Don't expect Rams to hurry to sign draft class

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  • May 16, 2015 at 4:32 am #24637
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    Don’t expect Rams to hurry to sign draft class

    By Nick Wagoner

    http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/18497/dont-expect-rams-to-hurry-to-sign-draft-class

    EARTH CITY, Mo. — Much like the way he handles rookie “orientation,” St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher has a little different philosophy when it comes to signing his drafted rookies to contract.

    And, much like how Fisher handles orientation, it’s a smart approach that just makes sense. While various teams around the league have already gone about the business of signing their rookie draft classes, the Rams have yet to ink a single member of their nine-man class.

    That has become common practice under the guidance of Fisher, general manager Les Snead and chief operating officer Kevin Demoff. Since the new CBA came into effect in 2011 and the rookie salary cap was put in place, there’s not much drama that surrounds the rookie deals. The contracts are essentially slotted and there’s little room for negotiation.

    Because of that, some rookies, including Giants first-round pick Ereck Flowers, have even gone through the draft without hiring an agent. So there’s zero cause for concern when other teams start signing rookies and the Rams watch and wait.

    In fact, the Rams have a plan in place that is beneficial to all of their rookies. As the rookies go through their conditioning programs and learn their playbook, they also get some life training before the team hands over checks with many zeros.

    Director of player programs La’Roi Glover has, in recent years, brought in people in various fields to offer the rookies short seminars on things like money management, buying or renting a home and other important life skills before a contract is offered and signed.

    When the time comes, the Rams will probably follow what has become something of a tradition and announce all of the rookie signings at the same time. In 2013, that happened on June 13 and last year it was on June 12.

    So, if you have a pool on when it could happen this year, maybe it’s best to keep an eye on similar dates.

    May 30, 2015 at 10:46 am #25574
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    Rams’ picks are all unsigned, with financial counseling coming first

    by Michael David Smith

    http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/30/rams-picks-are-all-unsigned-with-financial-counseling-coming-first/

    Most of this year’s NFL draft picks have already signed their contracts. But none of the Rams’ picks have.

    That’s because the Rams’ policy is to give each player financial counseling before anyone signs a contract.

    In each of the last two years, the Rams have signed all their picks en masse, after gathering the rookie class together and giving the players a course on financial management. Players are instructed on what the team calls “Financial Planning 101,” with information about how to invest and how not to go broke.

    The Rams’ rookies will get signing bonuses of anywhere from $70,000 for seventh-round pick Martin Ifedi, all the way up to more than $8 million for first-round pick Todd Gurley. The Rams want to give those players the money they need to use that money wisely.

    The Collective Bargaining Agreement agreed upon in 2011 makes rookie contracts so straightforward that there’s little to negotiate, and little reason not to sign immediately. Except for the reason the Rams have found: Making sure players have some information about how to invest their money before they receive it.

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