Rams News

Wistrom's deal includes
$6 million signing bonus
07/18 10:50 PM

By Jim Thomas
Of the Psot-Dispatch Staff

Signed, sealed and delivered.
No. 1 draft pick Grant Wistrom officially became a Ram on Saturday evening, signing a six-year, $12.75 million contract. The deal includes a $6 million signing bonus, according to Wistrom's agent, Kansas City-based Tom Condon.
The signing bonus is the second-largest in franchise history, exceeded only by the $6.3 million bonus received by offensive tackle Orlando Pace one year ago as the No. 1 overall pick in the entire draft.
Wistrom will drive from St. Louis to Macomb, Ill., on Sunday morning and join about 30 Rams rookies and selected veterans for the start of training camp at Western Illinois University. Wistrom should be on the field for the start of the afternoon practice.
On the day Wistrom was drafted by the Rams, April 18, he said he wanted to be in camp on time. Apparently, he wasn't kidding.
``He's a great work-ethic guy, and starting with the rest of the team was certainly important to him,'' Condon said Saturday night. ``Beyond that, he wants to try to make his mark and make sure he can be an impact guy here with the Rams as quickly as possible. So, part of that is participating.''
Wistrom, a defensive end from Webb City, Mo., via the University of Nebraska, will be only the second of five St. Louis Rams first-round picks to be on the practice field the first day of camp. Pace missed all of training camp last year, before signing on Aug. 16.
In 1996, first-round picks Eddie Kennison and Lawrence Phillips signed in late July, missing 2-2 weeks of camp.
Condon, of the high-powered International Management Group, has four first-round picks and three second-round picks. All of the second-round picks, including Rams running back Robert Holcombe of the University of Illinois, are under contract. Wistrom, the No. 6 overall pick, is the first of Condon's first-rounders to sign.
Wistrom's signing means the only Ram not under contract is cornerback Ryan McNeil.
``I'm very happy for Grant, beyond just the money,'' Condon said. ``We've got a strong personal relationship, so I feel real good about having him here with the Rams and in camp on time.''
Wistrom's deal includes what is known as an ``escalator'' clause that could increase the overall value in the sixth year. Condon declined to say how the escalator could be reached or how much it would increase the contract's value above the $12.75 million total. He did say it would increase the value of the sixth year to $5 million.

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