Rams Paid To Make Jason Smith Go Away; Danario Alexander Injury Settlement Coming

Two ghosts from the St. Louis Rams' frightening recent past were exorcised this week. General manager Les Snead dealt monumental draft bust Jason Smith to the Jets, and the talented but tender Danario Alexander was waived. Since then, the final closing details of those moves have been settled.

Alexander cleared waivers, according to Jim Thomas. The Rams will now reach an injury settlement with him.

Injury settlements are one of those little clauses in the CBA that require some explanation for us average Joes. The player and the team negotiate a sum that reflects how long that player will be out of action. Once they reach a settlement, Alexander can sign with another team, but if he does so before the range in the settlement, he could have to repay all or some of it, depending on whether or not that clause was part of the settlement.

The Rams could re-sign Alexander, depending on the terms of the settlement. Hopefully, he can get healthy and get a break somewhere.

As for Jason Smith, it really does look like a move simply to make their problem go away. The Jets were unwilling to take on all of Smith's $4 million salary, according to Howard Balzer. The Rams paid the difference, $1.55 million, to consummate the deal. Clearly the Rams wanted to move on from Smith.