Bajema agrees to terms

[BEER]

to say we set at TE without having a blocking one is like saying we dont need an OT because we got enough linemen!

3 TE`s would possibly be enough to enter the season with but thats over 5 months away...and out of the 3 we already have, none of them are blocking TE`s.

What? Blocking TE's are for Miami and Scott L. FB's are for power running,
and winning the foot race.

[general counsel]

What fullback did the giants run behind? How about madison hedgecock, waived by the linehan and picked up by the giants, where he became a pro bowl alternate.

This was a need guys. Short yardage help. Help when we are trying to put games away late by pounding the big boy.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[RealRam]

Agreeing with most of the previous posts, 'ME LIKEEEE' this signing. It may not have been a top priority but it was something on the To Do List and it seems it was done smartly.

Now let's make sure we get Bajema well dipped in our special Antifrisco Potion / Whiner Poison right away.


ESPN article by Pasquarelli, March 30.
_________________________________

Bajema brings blocking skills to Rams

By Len Pasquarelli / ESPN.com


New St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo recently suggested that tailback Steven Jackson would be the man around whom the Rams' offense was designed. On Monday, Spagnuolo validated that desire, reaching agreement with free agent tight end Billy Bajema on a contract.

Bajema, 26, spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with San Francisco and is regarded as strictly a blocking tight end. In fact, in four seasons with the *****, Bajema registered only seven catches, and just two since his rookie season.

The signing, rumored for the past week, was first reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and later confirmed by a team source. Contract details were not yet available.

A former Oklahoma State standout, Bajema was a seventh-round pick of the ***** in the 2005 draft.

He joins Eric Butler, Daniel Fells, and projected starter Joe Klopfenstein on the St. Louis roster. It is expected that he will be used as the team's blocking tight end. The Rams released veteran tight end Anthony Becht two weeks ago.

Bajema started in a career-high 10 games in 2008, and appeared in all 16 contests but caught only two passes for 34 yards. He had no receptions in each of the previous two seasons. As a rookie, Bajema had a five receptions for 54 yards.

He has yet to score a touchdown in the NFL but is a strong in-line blocker, consistent with Spagnuolo's intent to run the ball.

[general counsel]

How can a guy like Pasquerelli, that gets paid for a living to write articles about the nfl, list klop as our projected starter without any mention of mcmichael. The sloppiness of these guys is shameless.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[Guam rammer]

If these guys we're bringing in live up to expectations, Jax should have a good year. Don't forget Kenneth Darby, I really liked what i saw in this guy last year. Coming off screens and out on the flats, he really looked good and had a knack of making guys miss. Mark should be ok but early on, the line will have to earn his trust 1st. He's just taken too many hits and i just think it will take a few games with minimal pressure to regain his confidence. The confidence will increase even faster if our receivers are sure handed route running freaks. Production from team teen will be huge.

[eric2810]

How can a guy like Pasquerelli, that gets paid for a living to write articles about the nfl, list klop as our projected starter without any mention of mcmichael. The sloppiness of these guys is shameless.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

Exactly? What happened to McMichael? The so called "experts" are at it again! To think these guys get paid to report such news, yet cannot get their facts straight. As for the signing, looks like a good one. Bajema can do the little things that are overlooked by the casual fan in terms of blocking.

[Brain Daddy]

I have a couple of questions:

1) What is going to happen to Randy Mcmichael?
2) Is this guy good enough to start ?
3) What makes him so good that he deserves a shot? Because I have no idea who this guy is, however, We ALL know that the heads of this organization have a better eye for talent than the previous ones do/did, so maybe Spagnuolo/Devaney see something in this kid that answers the number 2 question.

1) Nothing. Bajema couldn't catch a cold.
2) Nope. He's pretty much a blocking specialist.
3) A shot at what? He was pretty much a 3rd string/situational player with the Nienrs, and I can't see the Rams using him any differently. I very much doubt he was brought in to be a starter. For the most part he's a good blocker, but he isn't really much help in short yardage situations. Consider this: Bajema got plenty of playing time over the last 3 seasons, and over those three seasons, the Niners have been absolutely terrible trying to run in short yardage over that time (actually longer than that, but that isn't relevant to Bajema).

He's a situational player who will help the Rams' running game overall. Nothing more, nothing less. Solid pick up.

[RealRam]

How can a guy like Pasquerelli, that gets paid for a living to write articles about the NFL, list klop as our projected starter without any mention of McMichael. The sloppiness of these guys is shameless.

Ramming speed to all

General Counsel

Yes, a definite faux pas in the subject coverage of Pasquarelli. He mentions everyone (Butler [?!?], Fells), even released TE Betch ... except McMichael.

Funny! Even professional, experienced sports writers drop the ball sometimes.

[RamsInfiniti]

Nice signing, will definitely help off the edge. If there are going to be WCO elements in this offense, you can be certain that TE's will be used in all kinds of ways. I would imagine you might see Bejema line up in a psuedo H-Back type of role from time to time ...

As for BEER's tirade about FB, I saw Fells play back there some last year, and he looked more than solid. Should Karney go down, I don't think it will be an issue ...

[blood85]

I have a queston.....Who the heck is this guy????

[Rambunctious]

Of all our needs at depth OL, DL, LB, CB, WR, we get another TE???

I must be missing something, unless he is converted to a FB, I dont get it.

Because it it better to sign a blocking TE in free agency than to waste another draft pick on one.

[Ramblin` Ram]

What? Blocking TE's are for Miami and Scott L. FB's are for power running,
and winning the foot race.

you need both in a running game actually!

plenty of other people have made the same point on this so i`ll save my energy for more enjoyable pursuits..

[bruce4life]

Great signing. Excellent depth.

NOW ARE WE BEING SARCASTIC YET AGAIN OR FOR REAL? I NEVER KNOW ANYMORE...grrrrrrrr

[Mooselini]

I really hope to see Klop pack and go. I like Fells, and I think he should be the second TE. Bajema should be used for running and blocking purposes. McMichael and Fells should be used for passes.

[Ramblin` Ram]

I agree, what a terrible draft that was.. Tye Hill, Brian Leonard, Joe Klop.
I believe leonard could be good in the right offense, one that uses a pass catching FB. Hopefully we'll incorporate him some how. If not what a waste. Same with Klop waste of a pick in my mind.

It was actually Tye Hill,Joe Klopfenstein Claude Wroten,Dom Byrd (& Jon Alston??) in the first three rounds..even worse!!

Leonard has only been on the roster since 2007..i think he may be serviceable if healthy..maybe not get the 2nd round value out of him,but in a running first offense,we`ll need depth!