By Nick Wagoner
Staff Writer
The great St. Louis safety search of 2004 has found its next contestant: Antuan Edwards come on down.
Edwards was claimed by the Rams on Thursday after he went on the waiver wire. St. Louis and Atlanta both put in claims, but the Edwards was awarded to the Rams because of their record being worse than the Falcons.
Edwards said he was stunned to be released by a team that was struggling to find its identity. “I was really surprised. I thought they were joking with me,” Edwards said. “I didn’t have a lot of time to think about it. They never told me anything; they just said they were going to go in another direction. I thought I was playing pretty good. What can I say? I’m here now. That’s behind me. It’s time to move forward.”
It is extremely rare for a player the caliber of Edwards to come available at this point in the season. St. Louis’ search has gone through many players, with the likes of Zack Bronson, Justin Lucas, Kwamie Lassiter, Tom Knight and a brief flirtation with Jason Sehorn. Lucas is the only one of that group still with the team, but he has struggled some in coverage and the need for help at safety has become more urgent in recent weeks.
For a variety of reasons, ranging from season-ending injuries suffered about 10 minutes into the first practice (Bronson) to failed physicals (Sehorn), none of those players has worked out well enough to make an impact on Sundays.
The biggest difference between Edwards and the cadre of nickel and dime candidates the Rams have brought in the past few months is that Edwards was a starting safety as recently as two weeks ago. In fact, Edwards had started eight of nine games this season and had 45 tackles with a sack and a forced fumble.
There is a distinct possibility that Edwards could eventually be more to the Rams than simply a nickel or dime back. He has played and played well in the NFL and shown the kind of ability it takes to start at either safety position. Taking into account the lack of production from the safeties this season, Edwards would appear to have a legitimate shot at making an impact.
For now, Edwards won’t be active this week and possibly next, while he learns the scheme and recovers from a groin injury, but he said he will speak with the coaches and get a better idea of his role in the next couple days.
While he was surprised to be released, there was some good news that came out of his release. He instantly went from a 1-8 team that had just fired its coach and was going nowhere fast to a team that is playing for control of the NFC West Division.
For that, Edwards is certainly thankful. “If they (the Dolphins) would have came to me and asked ‘Antuan, do you want to be released?’ I would have said yes,” Edwards said. “I have got advantages here. We have a situation here where we are 4-4 and we can get things turned around and we have a shot to make it to the playoffs.”
Edwards spent five seasons with Green Bay before signing with Miami as a free agent in the offseason. A first-round pick out of Clemson in 1999, Edwards has 201 tackles, seven interceptions and three sacks in his career.
To make room for Edwards, tight end Mike Brake was released. The Rams will assume the remainder of Edwards’ contract for slightly less than a half of a season.
INJURY REPORT: The Rams injury report had some adjustments Friday. Offensive lineman Scott Tercero (shoulder) has been downgraded from probable to out. Also listed as out is Edwards.
Receiver
Dane Looker remains doubtful because of an ankle injury. Defensive back Tod McBride (hamstring) is questionable.
The probables are cornerbacks Jerametrius Butler (knee) and Travis Fisher (teeth), guard Chris Dishman (hamstring) and linebacker Tommy Polley (hamstring). Edwards, Tercero and Looker missed Friday’s practice.