It’s the first of a deluge of fifth-year options for the 2014 NFL first-round draft class, but it might turn out to be the biggest. The Los Angeles Rams have exercised their fifth-year contract option for All-Universe defensive tackle Aaron Donald, locking him up through 2018.
Donald, who the Rams picked at No. 13 back in 2014, has been a ridiculous bargain at $1.8 million a season. The fifth-year option will pay him $6.892 million but it’s likely the Rams will go ahead and sign him to a long-term contract before that even comes into play. This is purely a safety move and there’s no way the team has any intention of letting Donald hit the streets or wear another uniform.
Rams exercise Aaron Donald's 5th-yr option, putting him under contract for the 2018 season.@RapSheet has details: https://t.co/MiCpFbgXRg pic.twitter.com/bjpnzfxUlJ
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 12, 2017
Donald has been one of the Top Five defensive players in the league since the Rams drafted him and will probably set a new standard for contract size when his new one is finalized.
Interestingly, the Rams didn’t announce they would take the fifth-year option on offensive lineman Greg Robinson. Robinson was the Rams first, first-round pick in 2014. They picked him at No. 2, expecting the elite offensive tackle prospect all the scouts predicted. Instead, they got an up-and-down player they’ve now moved to guard after signing free agent left tackle Andrew Whitworth. When you look at who the Rams could have picked at that spot, it’s a real bummer Robinson hasn’t panned out.
For instance, with the exception of the Houston Texans surely announcing a fifth-year option for Jadaveon Clowney, here are some other guys that will surely have their fifth season picked up before the season officially begins; Odell Beckham. Mike Evans, Khalil Mack, Sammy Watkins, C.J. Mosely, Zack Martin, Kelvin Benjamin, Taylor Lewan, Eric Ebron, Ryan Shazier and probably Jake Matthews. The Jacksonville Jaguars will likely use the fifth-year option on Blake Bortles as well.
Will the NFL shorten overtime?
With the Spring League Meeting on the horizon, the idea to shorten overtime to just 10 minutes is back on the table. The idea was floated in the Annual meeting and it nearly had enough votes, with 23 of the 32 owners voting to approve it with the early straw poll. Any rule chance needs a 2/3 majority to pass, so one more “yes” vote would do it.
The NFL should be working on its Overtime rules before anything else because they are the worst in the history of sports ! #fact
— G (@BobcatGman) March 30, 2017
For their part, the NFL coaches back the new proposal. On paper it looks like it would result in more tie games, but the truth is, coaches coach with the clock in mind. The playcalling will change with a shorter overtime, and, frankly, the whole overtime system needs an overhaul.
And now DeShone Kizer throws himself under the bus
A week after his shitty coach, Brian Kelly, decided to torpedo his draft stock, Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer went ahead and fired another one. Speaking with a Chicago sports radio show, Kizer was asked about his coach’s comments. Here’s what he said.
“It’s honestly the truth,” Kizer said. “I have two more years available (of eligibility). I’m only 21 years of age. There is a lot of growth for me. There’s a lot of growth for everyone in this draft. There’s a lot of guys out there who had to make big adjustments as they move into the NFL, and I know it. That’s why I’m not the No. 1 quarterback guaranteed walking into this draft as we speak.”
#NotreDame QB DeShone Kizer is visiting the #AZCardinals today, source said. At No. 13, this is a potential landing spot for him.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 10, 2017
Now, this is an honest assessment and, maybe, and NFL general manager will look at it and see a kid mature enough to know he’s not ready to start as a rookie. And Kizer most definitely isn’t ready for that. But you hate to be your own critic when you’re in the midst of the biggest job interview of your life.
Laurinaitis retires
In former Rams news, middle linebacker James Laurinatis has officially retired after an eight-year NFL career. Laurinaits had an injury-shortened year with the New Orleans Saints in 2016, the first season in his life where he didn’t play all 16 games. Evidently that was enough to let him know the odometer had turned past his prime.
“With offseason programs starting back up, the thing I’m going to miss the most is the locker room,” Laurinaitis said in a statemente. “The conversations and relationships I built with all that I’ve battled with will be my favorite memories. Players, coaches, equipment staff, medical staff, community outreach, marketing, you name it, the people I’ve met through this game is what I’ll take with me. I’ve been blessed way more through the game of football than I could’ve ever imagined. I’ve been able to live my dreams that started as a 4th grader and I’m grateful. Thank you to the Rams organization for drafting me and giving me the opportunity to pursue my dreams! You gave me a chance to play the game I love for 7 years and I gave you everything I had St. Louis. Thank you to the Saints organization for the ability to play one last year. Thanks to the best agency in sports CAA and especially Tom Condon, RJ Gonser, Howard Skall, Tommy Jr. and Heather Grosz. To all the fans along the way, thank you for your support through the years. I still love the game but the body says it’s time to move on. I’m really looking forward to transitioning into what’s next with my beautiful wife and daughters.”
James Laurinaitis announces his retirement from the NFL. pic.twitter.com/CwK7T7Ez38
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 11, 2017
Laurinitis was currently a free agent after being waved by the Saints in an injury settlement. Laurinitis was a tackling machine with the Rams, never once recording under 100 tackles in his seven years with the team. His best season was 2012 when he recorded 132 tackles, half a sack, one fumble recovery, four passes defended and two picks. It’s a damn shame the team never had a coach worth a shit he could play for.
Jaguars trade Smith to Bengals
The Jacksonville Jaguars traded defensive end Chris Smith to the Cincinnati Bengals for a conditional 2018 draft pick Monday. Last season Smith played in six games and recorded four tackles and a sack. Jacksonville originally drafted Smith in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Smith has never started an NFL game. His best season was his rookie year when he recorded five tackles, forced a fumble and had three sacks.
The #Bengals traded for former #Jaguars DE Chris Smith in exchange for a 2018 conditional pick.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 11, 2017
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