Faulk in PLans/Offer in Smith

[RamWraith]

By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Mar. 25 2006

Rams coach Scott Linehan said the signing of free-agent running back Tony
Fisher is unrelated to Marshall Faulk's status with the team. Linehan remains
under the impression that Faulk is coming back for his 13th NFL season.

"I think he is," Linehan said Friday. "He has never given me any indication
that he's not."

As for Fisher ...

"That signing is really not for any other reason other than we need a third guy
that if called upon can do the job," Linehan said. "That's really more Fisher's
fit for us right now."

Fisher, who spent the past four seasons with Green Bay, signed a one-year deal
with the Rams on Thursday for what is believed to be $625,000.

"I think he's your classic third-down back," Linehan said. "That doesn't
necessarily mean he replaces what Marshall will do or anything like that. He's
got some size to match up in pass protection. He's also got some elusiveness to
get open in route running, and proved that when he played at Green Bay. We
liked him coming out of college when I was at Minnesota for the very same role.

"Plus, he was exceptional on special teams. I said from the beginning that our
depth players were going to impact our special teams and give us a boost there,
too. So that made him that much more attractive."

The Rams also confirmed Friday that they have agreed to terms with punter Matt
Turk on a one-year contract believed to be worth $850,000. Turk turns 38 in
June and missed the entire 2005 season for Miami with a groin injury that
required surgery.

"He's not a young guy, but he's not in his 40s," Linehan said. "I think we
counted four or five punters last year that were in their 40s. ... So I look at
it like he's still got a lot in him. I was able to be around him last year at
Miami, and I saw he still had a lot left in his leg."

Linehan was the Dolphins' offensive coordinator last season after spending the
previous three seasons with the Vikings.

Meanwhile, the Rams made a contract offer to free-agent linebacker Raonall
Smith, but Smith still is testing the market. Linehan said the Rams haven't
closed the door on trying to sign return specialist Michael Lewis, but Lewis is
still rehabbing from knee surgery.

Fisher, Smith and Lewis visited Rams Park on Thursday.

Zygmunt replies

As might be expected, Rams president of football operations Jay Zygmunt offered
a different version of reality than the one presented by free-agent punter
Jason Baker of Carolina.

"We did make an offer," Zygmunt said Friday. "It's a joke. I think it's sort of
funny. ... He certainly isn't the first player that rejected one of our offers,
and I know that he won't be the last. That's his prerogative. That's part of
the business. That's free agency. We wish him the best."

Baker told the Post-Dispatch on Thursday that the Rams did not make an offer,
and said they tried "to give me a black eye by putting it out there that I
wanted too much money."

Play dough

Fullback Madison Hedgecock ($166,330) and safety Mike Furrey ($165,321) headed
a list of six Rams who received more than $100,000 in performance-based pay
last season. The league program is designed to reward players with relatively
low base salaries who see a lot of playing time. This money is over and beyond
their contract salaries.

In addition to his base salary listed in Thursday's Post-Dispatch, offensive
lineman Rex Tucker received a $1 million signing bonus from Detroit, according
to figures filed with the NFL Players Association. That's a surprising bonus
considering Tucker has played in only 19 games since the 2001 season. The
overall value of Tucker's three-year free-agent contract with the Lions is
$3.65 million.

[txramsfan]

Depth on special teams...now there is a novel concept...hell, I'd of signed the Geico gecko last year on special teams if I could have.

[UtterBlitz]

Linehan remains under the impression that Faulk is coming back for his 13th NFL season.

"I think he is," Linehan said Friday. "He has never given me any indication that he's not."

You treat Marshall right and he may come and play again. You disrespect him and he will be gone. There will be no indications for you to mull over.

As for Fisher ...

"That signing is really not for any other reason other than we need a third guy that if called upon can do the job," Linehan said. "That's really more Fisher's fit for us right now."

What about Cason and Harris? They are capable and they already know the Rams offense. Cason looked great in the Dallas game. Why would Fisher be put above them?

Fisher, who spent the past four seasons with Green Bay, signed a one-year deal with the Rams on Thursday for what is believed to be $625,000.

"I think he's your classic third-down back," Linehan said. "That doesn't necessarily mean he replaces what Marshall will do or anything like that. He's got some size to match up in pass protection. He's also got some elusiveness to get open in route running, and proved that when he played at Green Bay. We liked him coming out of college when I was at Minnesota for the very same role.

The Rams also confirmed Friday that they have agreed to terms with punter Matt Turk on a one-year contract believed to be worth $850,000. Turk turns 38 in June and missed the entire 2005 season for Miami with a groin injury that required surgery.

"He's not a young guy, but he's not in his 40s," Linehan said. "I think we counted four or five punters last year that were in their 40s. ... So I look at it like he's still got a lot in him. I was able to be around him last year at Miami, and I saw he still had a lot left in his leg."

I am noticing an annoying trend in the players that we have signed. Many of them of players that Linehan has seen play in the past. It seems that he is comfortable with players that he personally has had contact with. That is a limitation since he as only worked with a small percent of the players in the league. I certainly hope that he is not feeling more comfortable with Gus that Bulger.

Fullback Madison Hedgecock ($166,330) and safety Mike Furrey ($165,321) headed a list of six Rams who received more than $100,000 in performance-based pay last season. The league program is designed to reward players with relatively low base salaries who see a lot of playing time. This money is over and beyond their contract salaries.

I am really going to miss Mike Furrey. He had a lot of momentium switiching plays and he led the defense in interceptions. I know there was plenty of downside to his learning curve on the defensive side of game, but I still would have kept him. I'll bet he will develop nicely and whatever team picks him up will benefit. Has he been signed by another team already?

[sbramfan]

I know Arlen Harris is gone (Detroit?), but not sure about Cason. I'm hoping he's still around.

[Fargo Ram Fan]

Originally Posted by UtterBlitz

I am noticing an annoying trend in the players that we have signed. Many of them of players that Linehan has seen play in the past. It seems that he is comfortable with players that he personally has had contact with. That is a limitation since he as only worked with a small percent of the players in the league. I certainly hope that he is not feeling more comfortable with Gus that Bulger.

"Marc's obviously got a great future," Linehan said. "Marc really is in the prime of his career. And Gus is at the tail end, but still has some good years left in him. ... He'll help the team because if, God forbid, something ever happens to Marc, you've got an experienced quarterback that's started a lot of games."


No need to get paranoid! Would you prefer the guy goes after players he knows absolutely NOTHING about? How is having some knowledge of players you bring in an "annoying trend'? You think this guy wants to sabotage his first HC job in the NFL? I dont see many questionable signings so far.

[UtterBlitz]

Originally Posted by Fargo Ram Fan

No need to get paranoid! Would you prefer the guy goes after players he knows absolutely NOTHING about? How is having some knowledge of players you bring in an "annoying trend'? You think this guy wants to sabotage his first HC job in the NFL? I dont see many questionable signings so far.

Paranoid about who the Rams are signing? Please....there is no reason for that. Who they sign is not that important to me.

I do believe that there are experts that can evaluate talent and break down players into basic pros and cons for the Rams. I don't think they need to depend upon Linehan's ability to identify talent from his past experiences.

I really do hope the Linehan does a great job in his first HC job. I do. I am just concerned that he has tunnel vision and the FO is along for the ride. That's all.

[UtterBlitz]

I guess it must not be a very popular thought to question the new coach and his decisions. I got my first negative points by some unknown sender.....lol.... that's cool. Maybe I can be the bad girl this season.

[RamsFanSam]

Originally Posted by UtterBlitz

Maybe I can be the bad girl this season.

Bad girls can be a lot of fun, Utter....

[UtterBlitz]

Originally Posted by RamsFanSam

Bad girls can be a lot of fun, Utter....

I know .... what fun.

[Fat Pang]

Originally Posted by UtterBlitz

I know .... what fun.

Utterly scary.....................

[UtterBlitz]

Originally Posted by Fat Pang

Utterly scary.....................

Why scary????

[Fat Pang]

Originally Posted by UtterBlitz

I know .... what fun.

Need I say more.............????

[UtterBlitz]

How can that be scary? A big grin is scary to you?

[Fat Pang]

I'm getting out while the going is good.

'Tis but a jest?

[UtterBlitz]

I don't understand Fat Pang. You are capable of debate. How in the world do I become someone that makes you run? What do you think is going to happen here on the big bad internet?

Are you scared of women?