Smoker signs

[general counsel]

FYI, i just read in the post dispatch that smoker has signed a three year contract. terms not disclosed. One of the more tech savy guys can post the article. still no news on hargrove.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[RamWraith]

Re: Smoker signs

Sorry GC I am not seeing this anywhere other wise I would post it. I will keep looking.

[RamWraith]

Found it!

Rams and rookie quarterback strike 3-year deal
By Bill Coats
Of the Post-Dispatch

The Rams continue to round up this year's draft picks, reaching agreement on a three-year contract with their sixth-round selection, quarterback Jeff Smoker of Michigan State.

Terms were not disclosed.

Six of the team's seven draft choices are in the fold. Only third-rounder Anthony Hargrove, a defensive end from Georgia Tech, was without a deal Monday. The players are to report today to Western Illinois University in Macomb for training camp.

Smoker, 23, is a native of Manheim, Pa., who appears to be the leading candidate for the No. 3 quarterback spot behind Marc Bulger and Chris Chandler.

Smoker completed 60 percent of his passes and threw for 8,932 yards and 61 touchdowns in four seasons for the Spartans, with 39 interceptions.

[HUbison]

Re: Smoker signs

I've got a feeling he is going to turn out to be the steal of the draft. In a few years, we may look back and be amazed he went in the 6th.

[adarian_too]

Re: Smoker signs

I've got a feeling he is going to turn out to be the steal of the draft. In a few years, we may look back and be amazed he went in the 6th.

With the way the Rams drafts have panned out thus far from the past few years, give me one steal, any steal, any position, just one, something to holdout hope for.

[RamWraith]

Re: Smoker signs

Hummmm.....

Groce--4th round
Fisher--6th corner taken.
Brain Young--5th rounder
Butler--5th round
Massey-7th rounder

With the way the Rams drafts have panned out thus far from the past few years, give me one steal, any steal, any position, just one, something to holdout hope for.

[adarian_too]

Re: Smoker signs

Potential talent yes. But not proven stars that mean a steal yet to my mind.

[theodus69]

Re: Smoker signs

Let me tell you, this kid will be the starter in the next two years. He already has more talent than Bulger, Hell so does Chandler(who by the way will start sometime this year). I always said at the old ghosttown ,Bulger is not my Guy and I stick by that! But then again ,something in me says I hope I'm wrong about Bulger. Is it tabbo to bring up old $#!" like WARNER?

[Nick]

Re: Smoker signs

I think under Martz's guide, Smoker will make a very strong back-up for Bulger and should be a good performer for us if we'd ever need him. It'll be nice to have a young solid QB duo to count on.

[Yodude]

Re: Smoker signs

I think under Martz's guide, Smoker will make a very strong back-up for Bulger

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your comment...but it sounds to me like you're saying Smoker will never be more than Bulger's back-up. Why would you relegate Smoker to back-up status without ever having seen him play?

[HUbison]

Re: Smoker signs

I think under Martz's guide, Smoker will make a very strong back-up for Bulger and should be a good performer for us if we'd ever need him. It'll be nice to have a young solid QB duo to count on.

This might fly for a couple of years, but unless this guy pulls a Leaf, he is going to be starting somewhere in the NFL. He's got the tools. If he learns the game, he will not be playing back-up for long.

[RamWraith]

Re: Smoker signs

agree..

I would have like to see a 5 year contract out of this one.

This might fly for a couple of years, but unless this guy pulls a Leaf, he is going to be starting somewhere in the NFL. He's got the tools. If he learns the game, he will not be playing back-up for long.

[Nick]

Re: Smoker signs

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your comment...but it sounds to me like you're saying Smoker will never be more than Bulger's back-up. Why would you relegate Smoker to back-up status without ever having seen him play?

Yes, it seems you are misunderstanding my comment. I think Smoker will be a very good player but I've relegated him to back-up status because I have confidence that the Rams have already found their QB of the future in Marc Bulger. Therefore, I think Smoker will make an excellent back-up QB for us because I feel he's a very talented player, but we already have our starting QB.

Why would I make any other assumption about him at this point? We already have our starting QB signed for four years. I have confidence that Bulger will play well and retain that job. What exactly would you have preferred I say?

[Nick]

Re: Smoker signs

This might fly for a couple of years, but unless this guy pulls a Leaf, he is going to be starting somewhere in the NFL. He's got the tools. If he learns the game, he will not be playing back-up for long.

I agree that Smoker has the potential to be a starter in this league. But I hope the Rams can find some way to keep him on the roster after his contract is up so that we have some young talent behind Marc.

[sbramfan]

Re: Smoker signs

Is it possible that the order of talent at QB spot this year is:

Chandler
Smoker
Bulger

or even

Smoker
Chandler
Bulger

I'm not knocking Bulger as I have high hopes, but I would like to revisit this line-up after 10 games and see where these guys would rank. Hopefully Bulger is at the top by a long shot.