Rams' Jackson signs 6 year, $44 million deal

Steven Jackson signed a six-year, $44 million contract, ended a 27-day holdout, and was on the field for practice with the St. Louis Rams on Thursday.

And all was forgiven.

Coach Scott Linehan, who conducted a month of practices without the centerpiece of the offense, joked that he gave Jackson "a big hug" and then asked for a loan. Offensive tackle Orlando Pace, no stranger to holdouts, said he was happy "big time, big time" to see the bruising runner. Defensive tackle La'Roi Glover said simply, "Things are pretty good at Rams Park right now."

The 235-pound running back had been entering the final season of a five-year, $7 million deal he signed as a first-round pick in 2004. Linehan said he understood the business end of the game after Jackson got a deal that includes more than $20 million in bonuses and puts him third on the salary scale on the team, trailing only quarterback Marc Bulger and Pace and fifth among NFL running backs.

"It was great to see him," Linehan said. "There's no up side to being adversarial in these kind of deals. You've just got to stay positive and you've got to focus on who's here, and have trust and faith in the people that are working on getting everything done."

Jackson, 25, said both sides compromised during negotiations that stayed underground and generally cordial.

After doing individual drills and a bit of team work in his opening practice, he said he hoped to retire as a Ram. He also pledged to be ready for full duty in the Sept. 7 opener at Philadelphia.

Patriots sign veteran Flynn: The New England Patriots signed 10-year veteran Mike Flynn on Thursday in a move to shore up an injury-depleted offensive line.

The 34-year-old played his entire NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens before he was released in February. He can play both center and guard.