St. Louis Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, one of key pieces in new coach Jeff Fisher's rebuilding plan, has signed a five-year contract extension. The Rams announced the deal on their Twitter feed Saturday, saying the team was "thrilled to announce" the signing. When defensive end Chris Long got a multiyear extension on the first day of training camp, the team said Laurinaitis was also a priority.||||||| Laurinaitis, a second-round pick in 2009 out of Ohio State, has led the Rams in tackles all three of his seasons with double-digit totals every year. He's been durable, too, starting every game.

Two days into training camp, Laurinaitis said he's paying zero attention to negotiations. Laurinaitis, who has led the team in tackles all three of his seasons, said Monday he'll let his play do the talking, and let his agent take care of such matters.||||||| Laurinaitis is entering the final year of a four-year, $5 million contract he signed after the Rams drafted him in the second round in 2008. He shed 10 pounds in the offseason, reporting at 242 pounds to better handle the pass defending duties in new coach Jeff Fisher's system.