Pace may become richest rookie
The price for pancakes could hit an NFL-draft record of $23.1 million if former Buckeye Orlando Pace signs with the St. Louis Rams.The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has reported that the Rams have offered Pace a seven-year deal worth $23.1 million, an average of $3.3 million a season. It would be the largest contract ever for an NFL draft pick.What makes the offer even more attractive is that $9.38 million of Pace’s contract would be guaranteed money, payable over the first four years.Last month, the Rams offered Pace a six-year, $15.1-million deal, including a $6-million signing bonus. Incentives could raise the value to $17.1 million.The $15.1-million offer already exceeded by $100,000 the contract received by last year’s number-one pick, New York Jets wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson.Because the contract deal remains undone, the 6-foot-6 1/2, 330-pound lineman has missed all of training camp so far.Failing to show for camp is something new to Pace, who never missed a game or practice during his three years at Ohio State. The All-American lineman was the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year and left OSU as the only two-time Lombardi Award winner, given to the nation’s best lineman. He also won the Outland Trophy, awarded to the best interior lineman.As ultimate proof of his talent, he finished fourth in balloting for the Heisman Trophy, an award regularly doled out to running backs and quarterbacks.When Pace was named the Buckeyes’ Most Valuable Player in January, he was applauded by more than 1,800 fans, the largest crowd to ever attend the annual appreciation banquet.”I want to be the number-one pick,” he announced.Four months later, the Rams made sure by selecting him first.Pace has promised, however, that big money won’t change the big guy from his days inside the ‘Shoe.”I’ll pretty much stay the same. I don’t see myself ever doing too many out of the ordinary type of things.”
Compiled from staff and wire reports.
