Coming off a stellar 2008 season, Baltimore's Jason Brown wanted to be paid as if he was a top NFL center. The Ravens balked at that idea; St. Louis did not. So even though there were rumblings that Brown did not really want to be a Ram, he couldn't turn down a whopping five-year, $37.5 million contract when St. Louis put it on the table.According to ESPN's John Clayton, Baltimore topped out its offer to Brown at about $6 million a year -- a number that St. Louis flew past. Of Brown's new contract, $20 million will be guaranteed.
Let's be honest: St. Louis needed this, even if it did come at a premium cost. The Rams offensive line has been miserable over the past couple of seasons -- just ask Trent Green and Marc Bulger. Better yet, ask the training staff that works on them repeatedly.
Brown can slide in at the guard position if Richie Incognito leaves via free agency, but he can also take over the center position. It's that versatility that made Brown such a commodity to begin with.
Back in Baltimore ... tough day for the Ravens. They lost Bart Scott to the Jets early, then lost Brown to the Rams late. If Ray Lewis takes off for another destination this weekend, it's going to be a disappointing last straw.
DYST V3 test
LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers watches as Mo Williams #2 takes a shoe to the face by Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers after a steal in the closing seconds of the first half at The Quicken Loans Arena on February 8, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (David Liam Kyle, NBAE/Getty Images)
David Liam Kyle, NBAE/Getty Images
Brazil's Diogo (L) vies for the ball with Paraguay's Hernan Perez during their U-20 South American Championship football match in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela on February 8, 2009.(Juan Barreto, AFP/Getty Images )
Juan Barreto, AFP/Getty Images
A Dalmatian looks at its handler as a judge goes to touch the dog during the first day of the 2009 Westminster Dog Show in New York February 9, 2009.(Lucas Jackson, Reuters)
Lucas Jackson, Reuters
Denver Nuggets forward Chris Anderson touches his head during a time out in the first half of their NBA basketball game with the New Jersey Nets in East Rutherford, New Jersey February 7, 2009. (Ray Stubblebine, Reuters)
Ray Stubblebine, Reuters
Margarita Marbler, of Austria, skis to a bronze medal finish the ladies moguls freestyle FIS World Cupskiing qualification at Cypress mountain in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. (Jonathan Hayward, The Canadian Press/AP)
Jonathan Hayward, The Canadian Press/AP
West Virginia guard Darryl Bryant (25) is fouled by Providence guard Jeff Xavier (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Morgantown, W.Va. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. West Virginia won 86-59. (Don Wright, AP)
Don Wright, AP
Missouri's DeMarre Carroll, top, celebrates the Tigers' 62-60 win over Kansas in Columbia, Missouri, Monday, February 9, 2009. (Rich Sugg, Kansas City Star/MCT)
Rich Sugg, Kansas City Star/MCT
David Clarkson #23 of the New Jersey Devils fights Erik Reitz #4 of the New York Rangers during their game on February 9, 2009 at The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey (Al Bello, Getty Images)
Al Bello, Getty Images
Driver Patrick Sheltra (60) begins to spin coming out of the fourth turn during the ARCA 200 auto race in Daytona Beach, Fla. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009.
Darryl Graham, AP
Spain's Nuria Llagostera Vives serves the ball, in this multiple exposure, to Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic during their Fed Cup tennis match in Brno February 7, 2009.
Petr Josek, Reuters
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-28-2009 @ 12:37PM
dbcouver said...
I hope this guy is dam good because he just made off with 1/20th of our available payroll. For a center. Thats more than center guard money. I know we need to build thru the line and need to improve our line first blah blah blah but 7.5 mil?
Reply
3-02-2009 @ 1:13PM
NachoD said...
OK, here's what we need to do. Sign TJ Houzmanzadeh or however you spell it and the safety James Butler, bring in Michael Vick, trade Torry Holt and get a draft pick for him, use the first pick in the draft for a solid left tackle, the second pick for a line backer, our third pick for a backup running back and then use the rest of the picks to fill out the offensive line and defense.
With our new toy at left tackle and Brown solidifying the middle of the O line, see if Bulger can stand up and throw to TJ Houz' , Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton. Steven Jackson will get less reps with the rookie running back spelling him and hopefully stay healthy all year. If Bulger can't hang, then the more mobile Vick can come in and tire out the opposing defense by running all over the place.
Chris Long, Clifton Ryan and Adam Carriker with another year under their belt will be better under Spagnuolo. Witherspoon, Butler, Atogwe, Pinoisamoa, the rooke running back will make for a talented back seven. And don't forget about Josh Brown our ace in the hole kicker.
Follow this plan and we will be OK.
Reply