DeSean Jackson’s contract with Rams - $2.75 million plus incentives

[Tano]

That first reported number pissed me off. A very incentive laden deal to keep him healthy and producing seems like a good idea. A motivated DJax is the best DJax and probably worth all of that number.

Also, we all need to move through the stages of grief on this whole center issue. No way we expect a Rookie center to come in and play well right away. FA's are drying up. We've been angry, we've been in denial, and we've been apathetic. Let's just accept that we are going to have the same hole at center that we've had the last few years. It'll be what it is, we've had winning seasons with that hole at center. I don't think the Center position is making or breaking our super bowl chances this year.

It broke our Super Bowl chances last year - grumble grumble grumble

Sorry had to say it

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Yea that's my bad because I linked the original Garafolo tweet that said $4.5M. Jourdan gave the specifics shortly after which show only $2.75M base + incentives.

If he plays majority of the season I think many around here will be pleasantly surprised at his impact in this offense. Stafford has a cannon and loves to throw deep, and I still dont think any DBs can run with DeSean. He dusted Ramsey last year on a go route and Wentz didnt look his way.

2.75 is more like it.

3 games in 2019
5 games in 2020


Hopefully you can see why I felt that close to 5 million was high.

 

[fearsomefour]

Low risk (I’m assuming the $ are reasonable).

Potentially fills a need.

Can still draft a developmental speed WR in mid/late rounds.

Works for me.

Anyone with unusual speed will be gone by mid rounds.

 

[VegasRam]

It’s hard to tell on the playing time. Some are saying we just dont play rookies which I don’t agree with we have actually played them.

I‘m not playing the martyr or trying to at all. I don’t have disdain for the front office or McVay. In fact ive said many times it’s been a great change and upgrade from previous regimes. My point is there are people who think because we’ve gotten better McSnead is beyond reproach and people who cite mistakes are criticized. This regime has been a good change but far from perfect.

I watched Billy Wade vs Johnny Unitas at the LA Coliseum in 1958.
So at the age of 10, I wasn't exactly dialed in to the front office, but what the Rams have now in terms of management is the best in the last 50 years, so I will take "far from perfect".

 

[OldSchool]

I watched Billy Wade vs Johnny Unitas at the LA Coliseum in 1958.
So at the age of 10, I wasn't exactly dialed in to the front office, but what the Rams have now in terms of management is the best in the last 50 years, so I will take "far from perfect".

As will I, but I fail to see why people think if you’re critical of the mistakes somebody makes you also can’t be appreciative of their successes.

 

[AvengerRam]

Anyone with unusual speed will be gone by mid rounds.

There will be plenty of fast guys left in round 3 and 4.

 

[Ellard80]

As will I, but I fail to see why people think if you’re critical of the mistakes somebody makes you also can’t be appreciative of their successes.

I'm with you mostly...I cringe at the way they have been doing things - so far its worked pretty well.

But we will see where this all goes.

For now I can't argue with the results...for now.

 

[fearsomefour]

There will be plenty of fast guys left in round 3 and 4.

I’m talking about unusual speed.
Those guys don’t last.

 

[dieterbrock]

Come on man they didn’t have the others restructured in time to know how much they had for trying to get Linsley. But, they were probably done when the Raiders were offering Hudson.

I was not one thinking a speedy guy was an important role, certainly not as much as C.

What they paid for Jackson was too much. It’s not my money and I still trust what they are doing but, this was over reaching on an old injury prone guy who most likely won’t be available enough to be a difference.

I hope I’m wrong.

If they wanted Linsley, they could have gotten him, and DJax being paid what he's paid 2 weeks later has nothing to do with it. They sign Linsley, they figure out how to make him fit. They just didnt want him.

 

[AvengerRam]

I’m talking about unusual speed.
Those guys don’t last.

Anthony Schwartz should be there. He just ran a 4.26.

 

[Ram65]

Not too much money for the potential to add some missing WR speed.

Jackson had an Abdomen Muscle Tear, a Hamstring injury, and a High Ankle Sprain Grade 3.

Jackson decided not to have surgery before the season for the Abdomen Muscle Tear which proved to be the wrong decision. It held him back from good training. My hope and thinking is he will up his workout routine for a few reasons. The Rams players and training staff work smart and hard to keep everyone healthy as possible. His new teammates all work hard but, McVay is smart not to overwork veterans. He has to know he doesn't have many years left in his career and he loves to play while being on stage. He will want to show off at home. The potential rewards far outweigh the risks. I little better offensive linen blocking and this 2021 Rams offense will be back to the top.

 

[fearsomefour]

Anthony Schwartz should be there. He just ran a 4.26.

He must have zero receiver skills if he is going to be around mid rounds.

 

[Rams43]

I’m all for acquiring a fast WR. Duh...

But being fast isn’t enough to really help us. Needs to also be at least decent on getting separation and at least have decent hands.

Otherwise, why bother?

 

[ReekofRams]

I’m more interested in quickness and speed, as in quickness and speed that can be used as a return specialist.

 

[FarNorth]

Oh I agree with every part of what you said except the money doesn't matter. The money always matters because if we had guaranteed that whole contract vs what it is now and he got hurt early on or often, that would literally be one of the shittiest (if that's a word) signings of the off-season. Just happy that he has to earn that money by his availability. Makes a huge difference risk wise from a financial aspect.

The Rams have written off tens of millions in much bigger contracts the last couple of years. Jackson's contract is a pittance compared to that.

 

[MachS]

For those that got a few mins, give a listen to DJax's media session today. Some really good stuff on McVay and Stafford. Says he's healthy and feeling great, wants to play another 3+ years , says his focus is on winning a SB in LA.

DeSean Jackson on signing with the Rams, relationship with Sean McVay, playing with Matthew Stafford

 

[btfd16]

He must have zero receiver skills if he is going to be around mid rounds.

Tbh watching him... I wasn't too impressed. He was just a better athlete than the college kids. He won't be in the NFL

 

[PARAM]

It’s about allocation of the cap - not signing Jackson itself. $3.6m for 8 games of a 3/4th WR seems high when you have other needs. What good is a deep threat when your QB is on his back.

yeah, I’m with you on going center early in draft. That’s my draft dream. But how many rookie centers drafted in 2-3rd round start immediately? Is that even what you want from a team going for the SB and who just traded so much for a QB?

It's all about a DEEP THREAT, something we've lacked since 2018....Cooks wasn't even that good in 2019. $2.75 million base salary and $105,000 per game with a nice bonus if he plays 50% of the offensive snaps and more money for postseason performance. That's smart cap allocation, no matter which way you slice it. Especially since there are 3 or so guys in the draft capable to start at center in the NFL this year.

Well as a matter of fact I can tell you how many non-1st rounders started. In the last 5 years, three 2nd round centers and three 3rd round centers have started at least 14 games in their rookie year.

Here's the complete list of rookie centers who started for their teams:

2016 Cody Whitehair (2nd #56) 16 GS for the Bears #
2016 Ryan Kelly (1st #18) 16 GS for the Colts #
2017 Nick Martin (2nd #50) 16 GS for the Texans
2017 Pat Elflein (3rd #70) 14 GS for the Vikings $
2018 Frank Ragnow (1st #20) 16 GS for the LIONS********#
2018 Mason Cole (3rd #97) 16 GS for the Cardinals
2019 Garrett Bradbury (1st #18) 16 GS for the Vikings # $
2019 Erik McCoy (2nd #48) 16 GS for the Saints. # $
2020 Lloyd Cushenberry (3rd #83) 16 GS for the Broncos

# means they started with a veteran QB under center...(Cutler, Luck, STAFFORD, Cousins, Brees)
$ means they made the postseason....(Minnesota with Keenum 13-3, Saints with Brees 13-3, Vikings with Cousins 10-6)

So it can be done. And when you have a vet QB under center, there's a better chance you'll be successful....(the Colts were 8-8 with Kelly/Luck in 2016). I like our chances with Stafford training the kid on what calls should be made on the line. I like our chances if we get one of 3 or 4 centers in the draft.....Creed Humphrey (Oklahoma), Landon Dickerson (Alabama), Josh Myers (Ohio St.), Trey Hill (Georgia) or even 2 others, Jimmy Morrissey (Pitt) and Michael Menet (Penn St.). I'd prefer one of the first 4 and chances are a couple of them (if not more) will be available at #57.

 

[CoachAllred]

It's all about a DEEP THREAT, something we've lacked since 2018....Cooks wasn't even that good in 2019. $2.75 million base salary and $105,000 per game with a nice bonus if he plays 50% of the offensive snaps and more money for postseason performance. That's smart cap allocation, no matter which way you slice it. Especially since there are 3 or so guys in the draft capable to start at center in the NFL this year.

Well as a matter of fact I can tell you how many non-1st rounders started. In the last 5 years, three 2nd round centers and three 3rd round centers have started at least 14 games in their rookie year.

Here's the complete list of rookie centers who started for their teams:

2016 Cody Whitehair (2nd #56) 16 GS for the Bears #
2016 Ryan Kelly (1st #18) 16 GS for the Colts #
2017 Nick Martin (2nd #50) 16 GS for the Texans
2017 Pat Elflein (3rd #70) 14 GS for the Vikings $
2018 Frank Ragnow (1st #20) 16 GS for the LIONS********#
2018 Mason Cole (3rd #97) 16 GS for the Cardinals
2019 Garrett Bradbury (1st #18) 16 GS for the Vikings # $
2019 Erik McCoy (2nd #48) 16 GS for the Saints. # $
2020 Lloyd Cushenberry (3rd #83) 16 GS for the Broncos

# means they started with a veteran QB under center...(Cutler, Luck, STAFFORD, Cousins, Brees)
$ means they made the postseason....(Minnesota with Keenum 13-3, Saints with Brees 13-3, Vikings with Cousins 10-6)

So it can be done. And when you have a vet QB under center, there's a better chance you'll be successful....(the Colts were 8-8 with Kelly/Luck in 2016). I like our chances with Stafford training the kid on what calls should be made on the line. I like our chances if we get one of 3 or 4 centers in the draft.....Creed Humphrey (Oklahoma), Landon Dickerson (Alabama), Josh Myers (Ohio St.), Trey Hill (Georgia) or even 2 others, Jimmy Morrissey (Pitt) and Michael Menet (Penn St.). I'd prefer one of the first 4 and chances are a couple of them (if not more) will be available at #57.

Just an excellent post PARAM. Good info and research.
I think having a smart vet like Stafford definitely allows more flexibility in bringing in a young snapper.

 

[So Ram]

Jackson has returned punts in the past for great success, however, I don't see them putting Jackson back there if he's signed, I look for them to add someone with return capabilities in the draft.

Well now that D. Jackson has signed there was a question about him returning Punts.He didn’t go on the record to say he was going to be a PR.
He did get excited & say we have something’s brew & kept it in the bag for now.I guarantee he returns punts,maybe not the so called Rams PR.Copper Kupp did it last season as well & DJ is a lot more explosive. At Cal he was one of the best.They have had so many play makers come out of Cal.He just stood out,but has had ankle trouble over his career.
He has matured so much & he states all the things I’ve brought up over time.Never played at Darby Park though.He brings that Old School So Cal back.He is a Mcvay guy 100.