Rams sign former MU wideout Danario Alexander
The Rams announced Sunday the signing of former Mizzou wideout Danario Alexander.
Alexander, who went undrafted due to injury concerns, caught 113 passes for 1,781 yards and 14 touchdowns. He will practice for the first time since suffering a leg injury in January at the Senior Bowl.
Hopefully, Alexander will become the breakout wide receiver that the Rams need. He’s a tall receiver with the ability to out run defenders and should work well with Sam Bradford. Interestingly enough, Bradford and Alexander roomed together at the NFL Scouting Combines in February. Alexander was on crutches at the time, recovering from knee surgery.
Given his connections to Missouri (at Mizzou he set numerous records including single season receiving yards), this could become a big marketing play for the Rams.
To make room for Alexander, the Rams released wide receiver Brooks Foster.
Rodger Saffold returns to practice
Offensive lineman Rodger Saffold returned to practice a day after he was injured when a teammate fell on his back. X-rays on Saffold’s back were negative.
Sunday/Monday Update (8.15-8.16)
Torry Holt’s career could be over, Kurt Warner returning to football, More problems for offensive line, Secondary gets a little help, Westbrook signed
Former Ram Torry Holt put on IR
Former Ram wideout Torry “Big Game” Holt was placed on the injured reserved by the New England Patriots due to a knee injury. This could be a career ending injury for the future hall-of-famer who is currently 11th in career receptions (920), 10th in receiving yards (13,382) and 27th in touchdown catches (74). Most of those numbers were put up while playing with Saint Louis.
Kurt Warner to join Fox
Former Rams quarterback Kurt Warner will serve as an analyst for a few of the Fox NFL broadcasts this season. Fox announced that Kurt will be in the booth when the Arizona Cardinals take on the New Orleans Saints, a rematch of last year’s NFC Divisional championship game.
Rodger Saffold injured
Offensive lineman Rodger Saffold was injured today during practice. Coach Steve Spagnuolo said someone fell into the 32nd overall pick’s back. The extent of the injury is not yet known, but GM Billy Devany said the injury does not appear to be serious.
Rams add cornerback; 49ers add Westbrook
The Rams brought back cornerback Marcus Brown to help out a banged up secondary. Brown joined the Rams midway through last season, spending the last 8 weeks on the practice squad before being released in May.
While the Rams tried to supplement their defense, the San Francisco 49ers improved their running game with the addition of running back Brian Westbrook. The veteran running back has rushed for over 6,000 yards and has scored 71 touchdowns in his career, but has only started 11 games over the last 2 seasons.
The Rams were interested in Westbrook to help Steven Jackson shoulder some of the work load in the back field.
AJ Feeley to start Rams’ first preseason game vs. Vikings
Coach Steve Spagnuolo told reporters today at Rams’ Park that AJ Feeley will start the team’s first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings this Saturday. Rookie Sam Bradford will take over after Feeley’s first 14 plays and play through the 2nd quarter and possibly more. Spagnuolo said that he will be watching Bradford’s command in the huddle and how he handles the 40-second clock and the speed of the game.
Alexander passes physical with Rams
Former Mizzou wideout Danario Alexander passed his physical at Rams Park yesterday afternoon, but was not offered a contract.
Alexander, who visited Seattle today, tweeted that the visit to Rams Park went great and the two sides would stay in touch.
The Rams were also impressed by Alexander, but concerns about injury problems throughout his career are causing the team to be cautious in their assessment of the wideout.
Sam Bradford signs record deal
Number one overall pick Sam Bradford signed a record deal with the Rams Friday night. The 6-year deal guarantees the former OU quarterback $50 million, but he could earn up to $78 million with incentives. The total value of the contract exceeds the deal given to last year’s number 1 overall pick, Matthew Stafford, by about $6 million.
Bradford, who was injured for most of last season, threw for just 562 yards and only 2 touchdowns. In his career, however, the Sooner threw for 8,403 yards and 88 touchdowns and led OU to 2 Big 12 championships (both were won over MU) and a BCS National Championship appearance (lost to Florida).
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