Rams re-signed TE Daniel Fells

[tomahawk247]

As per a Twitter post by Bernie Miklasz which says:
Post-Dispatch Rams beatwriter Jim Thomas reports that TE Daniel Fells has re-signed with the Rams; more details from JT later.

Rotoworld report:
Rams re-signed TE Daniel Fells
The Rams plan to draft a tight end (per Arizona's Rob Gronkowski), but Fells currently tops the depth chart after hauling in 21 balls for 273 yards and three touchdowns last year. St. Louis won't have a fantasy-caliber TE in 2010.

I think we had to keep him as he is good depth at the TE position. No news on contract details yet. Could be another case, like they want to do with Atogwe, where the Rams let another team set the market value before ponying up the cash

[Nick_Weasel]

Re: Rams re-signed TE Daniel Fells

That's great, I really like Fells.

[Ramblin` Ram]

Re: Rams re-signed TE Daniel Fells

good news..he`s a nice 2nd option at the TE position..hope we get a high quality TE prospect tho.
interesting that Gronkowski had his name mentioned in the article tho...purely speculation im sure but interesting name to throw out there...ive just had my eyes on Gresham in the 2nd (if we took Bradford or Clausen in the 1st..)

[tomahawk247]

Re: Rams re-signed TE Daniel Fells

Gronkowski's name is mentioned as the Rams reportedly told him that they fully intend to draft a TE in the upcoming draft. Not necessarily him, but he would definitely be an option

[tomahawk247]

Re: Rams re-signed TE Daniel Fells

The contract is a one year, $1.5 million deal.
Pretty good really, as its not too much, and gives the Rams a chance to see if Fells develops well before committing too much time and money too him

[RebelYell]

Re: Rams re-signed TE Daniel Fells

Gotta have a #2 TE. He's better than our #1 last year.

[Ramblin` Ram]

Re: Rams re-signed TE Daniel Fells

Gronkowski's name is mentioned as the Rams reportedly told him that they fully intend to draft a TE in the upcoming draft. Not necessarily him, but he would definitely be an option

ah rite..i had missed that...cheers bud.
it would be great to have a high quality TE. even if it only meant our D would have plenty of practice against one..as they sure do always seem to cause us trouble trying to defend against them.

[Nick]

Re: Rams re-signed TE Daniel Fells

Fells is a fine #2 TE, glad to see he's been brought back.

[Azul e Oro]

Re: Rams re-signed TE Daniel Fells

Good signing, good deal, imo. I was worried there for a minute that The Rams would try to resuscitate LJ Smith's career if Fells left. Another year in the system & some work on those ball security issues & BD may have found us another bargain in the NFL rummage sale. Remember that it took a couple of years & Smith leaving before Celek became a major target in Philly's similar system.

Let's hope OJ is next.

[dave626]

Re: Rams re-signed TE Daniel Fells

Lets hope he continues to improve. Good signing.

[PeoriaRam]

Re: Rams re-signed TE Daniel Fells

We won a bidding war with the Patriots without dropping mad money to do so. I'll approve of that.

[BM_Face]

Re: Rams re-signed TE Daniel Fells

Good pick up for the price.

[RealRam]

Re: Rams re-signed TE Daniel Fells

Rams Official Site, 03-10-10 on Fells' signing today:

By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

The Rams moved to keep a promising piece of their offensive future Wednesday morning, signing tight end Daniel Fells to a new contract.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said retaining Fells was an important piece in any plan to continue developing talent on offense.

“We are happy to re-sign Daniel Fells,” Spagnuolo said. “He is a player who worked very hard last year to learn the offense and contribute to our team. Our staff is excited about his continued development.”

Fells flashed signs of his potential in a breakout game against Green Bay on Sept. 27 when he caught two touchdowns in less than five minutes. In 14 games with four starts, Fells had 21 catches for 273 yards and three scores.

Fells’ 2009 season was cut short by a knee injury that kept him out of the final two contests and landed him on injured reserve.

The Rams originally acquired Fells from Tampa Bay’s practice squad in October of 2008. Fells quickly made an impression with his practice field exploits where he flashed the speed, athleticism and hands to become an important part of the offense.

In 26 career games, Fells has 27 catches for 349 yards and three scores.

Fells returns to a team where it would seem he has an opportunity to play an even bigger role in 2010. Blocking specialist Billy Bajema is the only other tight end currently on the roster.

Yes, good deal for our 6-4, 275 lb. TE. I hope he returns 100% healthy. :helmet:

[Ramblin` Ram]

Re: Rams re-signed TE Daniel Fells

We won a bidding war with the Patriots without dropping mad money to do so. I'll approve of that.

just the mere thought that Darth Hoodie`s dark and cold ,loveless heart might have sunk even if just a millimeter over this..makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

[tomahawk247]

Re: Rams re-signed TE Daniel Fells

One thing that occurred to me after this news broke was if the Rams were going to resign Fells to a 1 year contract, why not just tender him? I thought the reason we didnt was that we would have paid him more if we tendered him.

As it turns out, the minimum tender, the right of first refusal with no compensation, was worth only $1.101. The next level of tender was the second round tender worth $1.684 million. At first glance, it appears that by not tendering Fells at right of first refusal level, they wound up paying more for him, which seemed like something had backfired for the Rams.

Then i found the actual figures for the contract Fells signed, and he has a base salary of $770,000, with a further $770,000 in incentives for a total value of $1.54 million.

So if Fells plays poorly, or doesnt get enough playing time to earn that incentive money, the Rams only pay him a salary of $770,000, lower than he would have earned if he was tendered. But if he does play well, earning all the incentive money, he gets paid more than he would have been tendered.