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Securing the franchise player
Posted: Wednesday July 22, 1998 12:05 AM
MACOMB, Illinois (AP) -- That holdout cornerback Ryan McNeil is finally the St. Louis Rams' top priority is giving his agent a sliver of hope that he'll have a deal by the opening of training camp.
The Rams hold their first full-squad workout on Friday.
"I get the sense and the feel that it's being looked at more seriously now by the Rams than maybe they have in the past," Brian Ransom said. "We're not close to having anything done yet, but hopefully it'll happen in the next couple days."
McNeil led the NFL with nine interceptions last year when he made $1.2 million. In the offseason the Rams made him their franchise player, which ensures him of a $3.2 million salary -- the average of the five top-paid players at his position last year. The Rams also have offered $13 million over four years.
McNeil wants more, a lot more. Ransom said his client should share in the largesse of the new TV contract, suggesting McNeil should get $30 million over five years.
"We've had real good conversations, but there hasn't been the offer or proposal that has us jumping up and down," Ransom said.
Rams vice president Jay Zygmunt said the parties are so far apart that they'll probably lean to trying to sign McNeil to a one-year deal.
"I can guarantee you nothing has changed," Zygmunt said. "He's known our position for a long time, and in our opinion, there's nothing new."
The new money has kept all of the league's franchise players from agreeing to terms. Rams coach Dick Vermeil has said several times that this is not a great time to carry that franchise tag.
"This is the worst possible time," Vermeil said. "A year before, they would have appreciated the opportunity, but the Rams did not develop the scheme or draw up the policies."
Ransom said it's probably been league-wide policy to save the franchise-tag guys for last because they'll probably be the toughest ones to sign.
"Well, now the time has come to sign Ryan McNeil," Ransom said. "Sometimes, people have difficulty making hard decisions that require some risk. But in my opinion, it takes confidence in having excellent judgment."
Vermeil has said the Rams' preference probably would be to sign McNeil to another one-year deal. McNeil would like a long-term deal of at least three years.
Ransom said his client won't let the fact camp might start without him affect negotiations.
"He's ready to play, but at the same time he's not going to get antsy or over-excited about it," Ransom said. "Then again, I don't think there are a lot of players complaining about having to miss 105-degree temperatures."
It was 104 degrees on Monday for the Rams' afternoon practice and again by the middle of Tuesday's afternoon workout.
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