Claiborne joins Coakley in St. Louis

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

ESPN.com


For the second time in two days, the St. Louis Rams have addressed their linebacker corps, as they move toward a major overhaul of the unit for 2005.

	Chris Claiborne Linebacker Minnesota Vikings Profile
	2004 SEASON STATISTICS Tot Ast Solo FF Sack Int 57 40 17 1 1 1

Unrestricted free agent Chris Claiborne, who played the past two season for the Minnesota Vikings, agreed Thursday afternoon to a three-year contract, ESPN.com has learned. The addition of Claiborne, who will become the Rams' starting middle linebacker, follows the Wednesday acquisition of former Dallas star Dexter Coakley.

Claiborne will sign a three-year contract worth $10.5 million and the deal includes a $3.6 million signing bonus. In terms of annual salaries, Claiborne will earn $800,000 (2005), $2.85 million (2006) and $3.25 million (2007).

Revamping the linebacker corps, after a dismal 2004 performance, was an offseason priority for the Rams, and they wasted little time addressing it. Coakley signed a five-year contract worth $14.5 million, with a $3 million signing bonus.

Claiborne, 26, played the strong-side spot for the Vikings the past two seasons and really resurrected his career. Part of what made him attractive to the Rams was the versatility he has exhibited, as he has started at various times at all three linebacker positions.

The former Southern California star was a first-round draft choice of Detroit in 1999 and played his first four seasons with the Lions before signing with the Vikings in 2003 as a free agent.

He has 528 tackles in his career, along with 14½ sacks, eight interceptions, 30 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles and eight recoveries. In the 2000-02 seasons, he had 100-plus tackles each season. Claiborne has played in 87 games.

Freak

I liked Claiborne as a prospect, but the guy has done nothing in the NFL to really deserve good money. He's been out of shape his whole career and was a huge disappointment for Minnesota after they signed him.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

All true, However, Any guy on defense who is servicable is a good pick up for the Rams.

Freak

That's also true. They're moving Pisa Tinoisamoa to safety which is kind of weird move. I understand that he's an undersized linebacker, but 235 pounds is enormous for a safety.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Imagine being a WR over the middle though and getting blindsided by that truckload...man that'd suck.

Freak

He could do that from MLB too though... this way he's gotta worry about chasing down wide receivers in the open field, and I just don't know that'll fly!

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Well yeah, if he lets a WR get past him he can just stand and watch as the celebration unfolds in the endzone.