The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting sources as saying the Rams have no plans to trade or cut running back Steven Jackson if they were to pick up Alabama running back Trent Richardson. The likelihood that Richardson would fall all the way down to number six seems highly unlikely. With Cleveland parting ways with Peyton Hillis, expect the Browns to pick up Richardson at four.

Jackson enters his ninth season and will turn 29 in July. He has two years left on his current contract and is due to make $7 million in both 2012 and 2013. Sources familiar with Jackson said he does not have a problem with his current contract. In fact, he would be interested in a contract extension, because he wants to retire as a Ram and feels like he has more than two years left as a player.

If the Rams could somehow land Richardson, that would give the offense an potent 1-2 running back punch.

The St. Louis Rams restructured Jason Smith’s contract to free up $2.2 million in salary cap space and it also makes the offensive tackle a free agent after the 2012 season. Smith was under contract until 2014.  Smith was set to make $10 million this season, but after the restructuring, Smith with earn $4.5 million. Smith was chosen #2 overall in the 2009 draft, but has struggled with injuries in two of his first three seasons.

The Rams cleaned up veterans with hefty payrolls, but new GM Les Snead and head coach Jeff Fisher decided to keep Smith on the roster. Fisher said, “Yeah, he’s good,” Fisher said. “He’s been here, he’s been working. He’s been working very well inside and his condition level is excellent. We’re excited about a new start for him, if you will.”

Smith has been cleared to play after suffering a concussion last October 23. Click here to read a feature on Smith from StLouisRams.com

The St. Louis Rams opened a veteran’s mini camp this week and the focus was on quarterback Sam Bradford as he returns from an ankle injury that forced him to rest until March 1. The quarterback says he’s feeling better.

“I went to a doctor literally two days after the season ended and he told me not to do anything really until March 1,” Bradford said. “That’s when I got back here, so I kind of shut it down for six or more weeks after the season and then got back in the training room with (Head Athletic Trainer) Reggie (Scott), and I would say it felt 10 times better then and it’s only gotten stronger since I’ve been here.”

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