PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Gary Is Signed Before Deadline

The Rams beat a midnight deadline and signed running back Cleveland Gary to a one-year contract with a right of first refusal.

If Gary had failed to sign before midnight, he would have been required to sit out the regular-season opener.

As part of the agreement, the Rams reserved the right to match any offers Gary receives next season. If the Rams do not choose to match an offer, he will be free to depart and the Rams will not be entitled to compensation.

Gary earned $350,000 last season and was the Rams’ leading receiver and rusher. He had been asking for $1.2 million this season, while the Rams had countered with $485,000.

Tight end Jim Price, who also had faced a midnight deadline, said he is now prepared to sit out the season.

“I’m not going to be there,” Price said.