Steven Jackson's 27 Day Holdout is Over

By Howard Balzer
Senior NFL Writer
The Sports Xchange

The 27-day holdout of Rams running back Steven Jackson is over, with agent Eugene Parker informing the team Wednesday afternoon that Jackson will report.

Contrary to some reports that claimed Jackson was already in St. Louis, he is flying to St. Louis on Wednesday from his Las Vegas home. There have also been reports that Parker will come to St. Louis to continue negotiating Jackson's new contract, but that is not believed to be the case. It is known that Rams general manager Jay Zygmunt and Parker were engaged in serious negotiations Wednesday afternoon.

"It's good faith on both sides," Zygmunt said.

On the eve of the first training camp practice July 24, the Rams made an offer to Jackson worth more than $7 million per year and including around $18 million in guaranteed money. The following day, without making a counteroffer, Parker rejected the offer and informed the Rams that Jackson would not report for training camp. The Rams responded by saying there would be no more negotiations until Jackson reported.

That's where things stood until Jackson's decision Wednesday to report. He is expected to take a physical Thursday and possibly practice. However, there is also the chance the Rams would wait until after Saturday's game to activate Jackson from the reserve/did not report list. Currently, he does not count against the 80-player roster limit. If he is reinstated Thursday, the Rams would have to release another player, someone who could be needed for the game against the Ravens.

The Rams are somewhat hamstrung by NFL rules that require teams -- before the mandated cut-down dates -- to place non-vested players (those with three or less credited seasons) on injured waivers before placing them on injured reserve in order for them not to count against the 80-man roster. That's why cornerback Justin King (toe surgery) and guard Mark Setterstrom (fractured kneecap) still count against the 80-man roster. If they were placed on injured waivers, another team could claim them.

Unless the Rams plan to play Jackson on Saturday night, there is no reason to return him to the roster before then. Thursday is the last practice of the week, with Friday only being a walk-through. It is also likely that Jackson wouldn't want to practice or play until the new deal is done.

As for the contract, one Rams source said, "It can't take very long." Assuming it doesn't, and there were indications it could be done Wednesday night or Thursday, it would raise more questions about the purpose of the holdout, since a deal likely would have happened just as quickly had he reported for the start of camp or at least earlier than now.

Starting Thursday, there are only three practices before the preparation week for the first game against Philadelphia on Sept. 7.

Howard Balzer is a Senior NFL Writer for The Sports Xchange. He is based in St. Louis, and his stories can be read on www.mysportspage.com.