Star running back, Steven Jackson, who is first on the St. Louis depth chart, was absent from the first day of training camp on Friday. Jackson will be fined for the unexcused absence. At issue, is the versatile running back’s contract, which is currently in its final year.
Jay Zygmunt, the Rams president of football operations, has said that no negotiations will happen while the running back is away from camp. On Thursday, Jackson informed head coach Scott Linehan that he would not be on the team charter flight to training camp.
The AP reports that Linehan said, “When he said he wasn’t going to make the trip, let’s be honest, I knew something was going on.” The coach added optimistically, “I know we’ve had a lot of dialogue with his representative and I know it’s been fairly positive from what I’ve been told.”
The Rams have said that they have made it a priority to ensure that their star running back’s contract is extended. St. Louis has, according to Zygmunt, made various offers, all of which have been rejected.
This is the final year of a five-year deal that Jackson signed after being drafted by the St. Louis Rams in round one of the 2004 NFL Draft. Jackson has posted three straight 1,000-plus yard seasons, including 1,002 in 2007 despite the fact that he missed four games due to injury.
It will behoove both parties to make a deal before long, ensuring that Jackson is ready for the 2008 season.