Blog: Rams plan on re-signing WR Clayton

[fliptalianstallion]

by VanRam on Mar 25, 2011 6:32 AM CDT in 2011 NFL offseason

The St. Louis Rams will re-sign free agent wide receiver Mark Clayton as soon as the NFL lockout ends, whenever that may be. Apparently, that news is burning up the wires today, but it shouldn't come as any big surprise. In the days prior to the lockout, Jim Thomas at the PD reported that the Rams were close to a deal with Clayton.

Then, the lockout happened, hours after that report first surfaced. Clayton and the Rams did not get a deal done in time, but they won't have very far to go once the lockout ends and they can get back to work.

I don't think any of us expected Clayton to take off the way he did early last season, establishing that kind of connection with Sam Bradford. It's interesting to think about what the offense would have been like with a full games of him. Eventually, teams would key their defensive backs onto him, forcing the Rams to find other options in the receiving game. But there's no doubt the offense would have been able to produce more with another reliable pass catcher.

Clayton's return provides some measure of insurance to this year's team. He and Donnie Avery back on the roster automatically upgrade the receivers. However, questions persist as to whether or not that group of players can stay healthy for a full season...or even return to action at the same place they were last year.

This is great, he's very flexible in adapting to new systems seeing his transition from the Ravens offense to our former WCO-scheme in week 1. Though I'd like to see us draft Jones to get a big physical threat or an FA-receiver just in case our current starters get injured again.

[MACD]

A fully-recovered Clayton would make Jones' adaptation to the NFL a lot less difficult (or any other stud rookie).

[RealRam]

Good! Good to hear. This is an almost MUST sign situation with Clayton.

[39WillRunYaOva]

This is a no brainer, it was plain as day the chemistry he shared with Sam for the very little time they had to practice together.