Rams sign DT Jimmy Kennedy to five-year deal

[BillsFever]

MACOMB, Illinois (Ticker) - The St. Louis Rams signed their first-round pick on Tuesday, agreeing to a five-year deal with defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Originally thought to be a top-five pick, Kennedy saw his stock drop on draft day and he ended up behind taken with the 12th overall pick.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ramssignkennedy&prov=st&type=lgns

[Gunzlingr]

Rams first-round draft pick Jimmy Kennedy's five-year, $9 million contract could grow by as much as $1.5 million if the defensive tackle from Penn State reaches some incentives.

According to contract information filed with the NFL Players Association, Kennedy can earn an additional $100,000 each year if he has 8 1/2 sacks and makes the Pro Bowl in that season.

Also, what is called an "escalator" clause kicks in if Kennedy reaches certain playing time percentages in the first three seasons of the deal. An additional $1 million is added to the base salary in Year 5 of the contract if Kennedy:

Participates in 70 percent of the Rams' defensive plays in each of his first three seasons, or . . .

Participates in 80 percent of the defensive plays in two of the first three seasons.


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