Rams News

Cascadden Gets Offer Sheet From Rams
Richard Oliver

Jets linebacker Chad Cascadden, an undrafted free agent in 1995 who has
become one of the team's most valued special-teams contributors, has
signed a three-year, $2.3-million offer sheet with the St. Louis Rams.

The Jets have until Wednesday to match the offer, which they are likely
to do.

Meanwhile, the Jets' other restricted free agent, cornerback Otis Smith,
is close to re-signing with the club, Smith said yesterday.

The 6-1, 240-pound Cascadden, 26, was third on the Jets in special-teams
tackles a season ago, and also saw action at outside linebacker and
defensive end. He would have an opportunity to start in St. Louis,
according to his agent, Brian Levy of Ronkonkoma.

"Throughout this process," Levy said, "we've been in touch with the
Jets. I don't know how positive they were that we were not bluffing. Now
they know we weren't."

Cascadden, who never started as a multipurpose standout at Wisconsin,
would be paid a $600,000 signing bonus by St. Louis, with the first
year's base salary of $700,000 guaranteed. The contract, which includes
a no-trade clause for the coming season, also sports incentive clauses
for playing time and bonuses for workouts.

If Cascadden leaves, only 20 players would be left from the roster coach
Bill Parcells inherited 14 months ago.

"Who knows what they're going to do?" Cascadden said. "Bill's always got
something up his sleeve. But this is not his game. He's not used to
being told either this or that; he's used to having control. Now, he's
got to say yes or no, so it's a different situation."

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