Rams Add QB...To Practice Squad

[r8rh8rmike]

Rams add QB ... to practice squad

BY JIM THOMAS
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

With their quarterback situation still very much in flux for Monday's game in Seattle, the Rams added QB Matt Gutierrez to their practice squad.

Gutierrez, 6-4, 230, finished his college career at Idaho State. Since entering the NFL as a rookie free agent in 2007, he has been all over the place. He has been under contract with New England, Kansas City, Chicago, and Washington in the NFL, plus the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL and the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League.

Through it all, Gutierrez has thrown only two passes in six NFL regular-season games — completing both for a total of 18 yards. He spent the 2007 and '08 season with the Patriots, so he knows the Rams' offensive system and Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Gutierrez, 27, worked out Tuesday at Rams Park as did former Southern Cal punter Tom Malone. Malone was brought in as a potential offseason signee, not as a possible late-season addition.

Gutierrez fills the practice squad vacancy created when QB Tom Brandstater was promoted to the active roster Saturday.

Brandstater will start Monday against the Seahawks if neither Sam Bradford (ankle) nor A.J. Feeley (thumb) can go. As of Tuesday, Feeley's fractured right thumb was still swollen.

The Rams released cornerback Nate Ness from the active roster, giving them a spot on the 53-man roster for Gutierrez if the doomsday scenario occurs (no Bradford, no Feeley) and they need a backup for Brandstater. As of Tuesday, left guard Jacob Bell (knee) was still on the active roster.

Meanwhile, it looks like offensive tackle Mark LeVoir will be able to play in Seattle after missing the past two games with a pectoral muscle injury. If that's indeed the case, LeVoir could be back at left tackle, Adam Goldberg could move back to right tackle where he had played well, with Harvey Dahl back at his familiar right guard spot.

[Rambunctious]

So when Brandstarter gets literally killed in the 1st or 2nd quarter... will Gutierrez be there to take the snaps? Can he refuse to?

[Agrajag]

I have a better solution, you put McDaniels himself in the game.

See if his play calling gets any better then ...

[mh-i]

Wow! Idaho State! He has played in the Arena League........................

[RockinRam]

Do they throw real footballs out there in Idaho or do they use russet potatoes?

[Bar-bq]

Do they throw real footballs out there in Idaho or do they use russet potatoes?

They actually take a literal approach to tossing the pigskin.