Camp Day 1: Jackson, Avery fail to show (updated)
MEQUON, Wis. — The first official day of training camp didn’t start off the way coach Scott Linehan would’ve preferred. Neither running back Steven Jackson nor wide receiver Donnie Avery attended the opening meetings or practice, officially making them holdouts.
Jay Zygmunt, the Rams’ president of football operations and general manager, reported after the 2-hour practice at Concordia University that Jackson had turned down an offer of a new, long-term contract that would’ve put him in the “top group” financially of NFL running backs. Zygmunt said he informed agent Eugene Parker that no further negotiations would take place until Jackson, entering the final season of his original five-year deal, reported to camp. Also, Jackson will be fined, Zygmunt added ($15,000 per day, per the NFL collective bargaining agreement).
Avery, a second-round draftee this past April, hadn’t come to contract terms. The only other player missing after most of the team arrived Thursday afternoon, wideout/returner Dante Hall, was at the meeting and practice.
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These players lined up with the No. 1 units Friday:
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Marc Bulger
Running back: Brian Leonard or Antonio Pittman
Wide receiver: Torry Holt and Drew Bennett
Tight ends: Randy McMichael and Joe Klopfenstein
Center: Brett Romberg
Right guard: Mark Setterstrom
Left guard: Jacob Bell
Right tackle: Alex Barron
Left tackle: Orlando Pace
DEFENSE
Tackle: Adam Carriker and La’Roi Glover
End: Leonard Little and Chris Long
Linebacker: Will Witherspoon (middle), Chris Draft (strongside) and Pisa Tinoisamoa (weakside)
Defensive back: Fakhir Brown and Tye Hill
Safety: Oshiomogho Atogwe (free) and Corey Chavous (strong)
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During his first two seasons with the Rams, Claude Wroten often sought advice from fellow defensive tackle La’Roi Glover, an NFL veteran and former Pro Bowler. Apparently Glover’s words didn’t sink in for Wroten, who earlier this week was suspended for a year for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. Wroten apparently missed a drug test, appealed, then didn’t show up for his hearing.
“A bit disappointing,” Glover said Friday. “But adversity hits every ballclub. We got ours early. We’re going to worry about the guys that are here.”
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Many of the players are getting around campus on brand-new 21-speed Fuji bicycles, which makes for some interesting sights. As he wobbled to a stop in front of the dining hall, tight end Randy McMichael acknowledged that he’d “forgotten how to ride one of these things.”
Not wideout/returner Dante Hall, who was on foot at the time. “I like riding bikes,” he said. “I’m going to get one right now. So, can I go?”
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Just visiting: Former NFL general manager Charley Casserly, now working for CBS Sports; Molly Knight of ESPN the Magazine; Jay Glazer of Fox Sports.
Be sure to click here to see Chris Lee’s camp photos…
All for now. . . more Saturday, the first two-practice day.
Hope we can get a Jackson deal done soon.
Get Jacksons deal done and tell the punk kid Avery to get in camp. These guys have no time to screw around when you are coming off of a 3 win season. Linehan needs all the time possible to save his job this year.
How on earth is it ok to not show up for work when you are under contract. This reminds me of Marc Bulger’s “holdout”. I’m stunned that fans, media, players and the team thinks this is just the order of business. Grow up and do your job!
Jackson is in the last year of his original 5 year contract, not 4 year.
After Jackson taking a “holier than thou” stance and giving the fans hell for selling their tickets to fans of other teams last year, someone needs to inform this premadona that his hold out will definately not endear him to the fans who didn’t sell theirs. What is wrong with this guy that he thinks he is entitled to a contract extension and not work until he gets it? I for one am getting a little fed up with this man and his kind.
Bulger’s hold out from last year showed Jackson that the team will cave!
I’m sorry, but doesn’t Mr. Jackson have a contract for this season? And doesn’t that contract require him to be at training camp? I don’t understand how negotiating a contract extension excuses you from fulfilling your current contract. Pro athletes obviously live in a world very different from mine. If I fail to fulfill the contract I have with my employer, I will be penalized — either by fine or termination. Must be nice to be in the NFL.
premodona ?
sorry I misspelled premadona
Steven Jackson should realize he is an employee and just show up for work like everyone else.Nobody really cares about his opinion so just shut up and play football.If not, try another job and see how long they will put up with his antics.
Any info on Kreider? If they used a FB at all, and who was 1st team? I hear they used alot of 2 TE sets.
You misspelled prima donna twice.
You can’t win with prima donnas and “wannabe’s” (and spelling bee contestants I might Add)
I am glad Jackson is holding out, Jackson will be way cheaper now that next year. I think his holding out now is financially more beneficial for the Rams. He would’ve gotten a lot more next year. I don’t care that he is cocky. I want a great player which he is on our team.