Aug 21st 2008 6:20PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Rams, NFC West The real breaking news here was when Steven Jackson returned to practice with his Rams teammates under the assumption a deal would be finalized very soon.

Now said finalization has come to fruition.

The bare bones: Jackson signed a six-year deal that will max out at just under $44 million, but the final two years will void out based on Jackson’s performance. If that’s the case, the four-year deal will be worth just under $30 million. The deal includes just over $20 million in guaranteed money, $11 million of which comes in the form of a signing bonus.Jackson will not play this coming Saturday night at home in the team’s all-important third pre-season contest. The most significant date, however, is the regular season opener. Will he be one hundred percent ready? “I definitely believe so. I promised Mr. Zygmunt, Mr. Linehan I am in great shape. I am physically in shape. I just have to get used to the hits. Hopefully next week, after this game, I can get some of the scout team to get after me so I can get used to hitting the ground, taking contact, and carrying the ball.”The clock is ticking. He’s certainly up against the wall, but he’s also a good enough athlete to ready himself. Don’t bet against him.