The Rams practice at 9:40 this morning, then travel to Tennessee. They start practicing with the Titans tomorrow, leading up to the preseason game between the two teams Saturday night.
* Jackson holdout day 12. Jim Thomas reports that Jackson isn't expected to show up today and is knowingly potentially losing a year of credit toward unrestricted free agency. If the owners void the existing CBA, he'll have to be in the league six seasons before becoming eligible for UFA instead of five. That could make him only a RFA in 2010. Jackson's gamble is that the owners won't void the CBA. Thomas believes it's unlikely. I believe it's completely likely because, well, it's professional sports owners. They're stupid enough to let it get this close; don't bank on them not to pull the trigger. Jackson would seem to be risking millions of dollars down the line in holding out for a deal now, which has me questioning his intelligence now as well as his integrity.
I guess inflation kicked in, because Thomas also reports Jackson's maximum daily fine is $15,166. So if he's an idiot and sacrifices a year of eligibility by not showing up today, his total fine could be as much as $181,992. Well, there goes his ability to buy the world's most expensive bottle of whiskey. C'mon, it's not like you can find that kind of money in between the cushions of your couch or in the walls of your house or anything!
Today for me is the day that Jackson's holdout will have gone on beyond reason. Do I think the Rams are lowballing him? Yes. But if he's willing to let his holdout go to idiotic, self-destructive lengths - all you have to do is show up, bud - he's making it impossible to side with him.
* Yesterday had the first legit fight of training camp, between Leonard Little and Richard Owens. Little objected to a chop-block-like move from Owens. Doesn't that figure, Owens couldn't block anybody last year, now this year, he's trying to take out HIS OWN TEAMMATES. How does this guy manage to stay on the roster?
As for training camp fights, you hear many say they're a good sign, the team is fired up, ready to compete, etc. Well, the Rams had that huge fight at last year's scrimmage between Jackson and OJ Atogwe, with Incognito adding some late Turleyage - how'd that team do? Jackson and Adam Archuleta had a mini-brawl in '05 - how did that team do?
Funny how all these fights involve Jackson, btw.
* Nick Wagoner continues to gush about Brock Berlin. Marc Bulger continues to excel - as a receiver?
* Thomas reported on 1380 yesterday that the offense was actually practicing the "victory formation". Lord knows they didn't get much work at it last year.
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