Both sides have legitimate positions.
The Rams have the CBA and the ability to lock up Donald for 3 years.
Donald has the ability to renegotiate his contract but doesn't have the right to free agency under the CBA for up to 3 years.
Donald may be the best defensive player in football and his agents have convinced him he should set a record for his contract.
The Rams want to sign him long term and want to pay him more than he can make if they pay him under the terms of the CBA and for 2 years of free agency.
Donald's agents have the interests of their client plus the interests of their agency which may not be totally in alignment
The Rams want a fair deal that recognizes their position and that of Donald's future earnings potential.
Donald will report before he loses a year of eligibility as it hurts his negotiating position in getting a new contract.
Compromise is somewhere between the biggest contract and a fair contract.
Donald is the only sure winner when he signs. If he fails to sign he is the only sure loser.
It would see that taking this to the last possible moment before losing eligibility provides Donald with the most leverage
If for some reason Donald's agent goes off the deep end and keeps him out past the point of losing eligibility things will be really ugly and a deal may never get done. If this happens we go from a win win to a lose lose situation unless there is a signing shortly after this period. What will will know at that time is that is that Donald will be ready to sit out the season.
If Donald decides to sit out the season and his agents demand all time contract the Rams can either decide to capitulate on the contract, wait him out which will let the win in the end, or they can trade him. If they capitulate and sign him to an all time contract the team loses and it will hurt our future competitiveness. If they decide that is a long term problem Donald will lose money and the Rams will be without a player. If we reach this terrible conclusion all focus should be on Donald's agents for misreading the situation and failing to place their client's interests above those of the agency.
There may also come a time where Donald instructs his agent to get this done. If he wants to be a Ram and make the most money he may be the only one who can see clearly and make the best decision. We must all remember that he loves playing football and I think he loves playing for the Rams. I would bet he doesn't want to get involved with the business end of things but he may have to if his interests are not being expressed as completely as he wishes.
