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2014 offseason in review: WR Kenny Britt
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/16096/2014-offseason-in-review-wr-kenny-britt
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The 2015 edition of NFL free agency is set to begin on March 10 with a new batch of players set to hit the market and teams in pursuit of those players.
But before we look to the future, let's take a look back at what the St. Louis Rams accomplished in 2014. Today, we turn our attention to wide receiver Kenny Britt, signed as an unrestricted free agent from the Tennessee Titans.
Reason for addition: The Rams' young receiver corps didn't get much done in 2013 so the team entered the offseason in need of help at the position. While they stuck by the idea that they didn't have to get a wideout while relying on their youngsters to get better, Rams coach Jeff Fisher had an obvious fit for a veteran who could help out. Fisher had drafted Britt in Tennessee and Britt enjoyed his greatest success in the league under Fisher's guidance. Britt came with some off the field and injury baggage but offered a better track record of production than any receiver on the Rams' roster. Had it not been for Fisher's ties to Britt, it's entirely possible the Rams wouldn't have added a receiver at all but that relationship and the chance for a fresh start made Britt an easy and obvious fit.
What he brought: Britt's tenure in St. Louis got off to a questionable start with a strange post to his Instagram account but all parties quickly moved past it and Britt proceeded to fit in better than anyone could have thought. In fact, while there were some questions about what kind of influence Britt might be on the team's young receivers, he emerged as a leader and mentor that the others looked up to. His influence was best exemplified by the development of Brian Quick, who led the team in receiving in the first six games. When Quick was lost for the season to a shoulder injury, Britt stepped into the role as the team's top receiver. He finished with 48 catches for 748 yards and three touchdowns. Those 748 yards were the second most in Britt's career and the most by a Rams' pass catcher since Torry Holt in 2008. Those aren't the numbers of a No. 1 wideout like Dez Bryant or A.J. Green but it's better than the Rams have had in awhile.
What's next: Britt only signed a one-year deal with the Rams and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March. The Rams have already begun discussions with Britt's representatives and both sides have been adamant that Britt's future should be in St. Louis. After franchise tags and big-money extensions are doled out, it's possible Britt could be one of the better receivers on the market and draw plenty of interest should it get that far. But so long as the Rams make a representative offer, Britt knows he's better off continuing to play for Fisher.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/16096/2014-offseason-in-review-wr-kenny-britt
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The 2015 edition of NFL free agency is set to begin on March 10 with a new batch of players set to hit the market and teams in pursuit of those players.
But before we look to the future, let's take a look back at what the St. Louis Rams accomplished in 2014. Today, we turn our attention to wide receiver Kenny Britt, signed as an unrestricted free agent from the Tennessee Titans.
Reason for addition: The Rams' young receiver corps didn't get much done in 2013 so the team entered the offseason in need of help at the position. While they stuck by the idea that they didn't have to get a wideout while relying on their youngsters to get better, Rams coach Jeff Fisher had an obvious fit for a veteran who could help out. Fisher had drafted Britt in Tennessee and Britt enjoyed his greatest success in the league under Fisher's guidance. Britt came with some off the field and injury baggage but offered a better track record of production than any receiver on the Rams' roster. Had it not been for Fisher's ties to Britt, it's entirely possible the Rams wouldn't have added a receiver at all but that relationship and the chance for a fresh start made Britt an easy and obvious fit.
What he brought: Britt's tenure in St. Louis got off to a questionable start with a strange post to his Instagram account but all parties quickly moved past it and Britt proceeded to fit in better than anyone could have thought. In fact, while there were some questions about what kind of influence Britt might be on the team's young receivers, he emerged as a leader and mentor that the others looked up to. His influence was best exemplified by the development of Brian Quick, who led the team in receiving in the first six games. When Quick was lost for the season to a shoulder injury, Britt stepped into the role as the team's top receiver. He finished with 48 catches for 748 yards and three touchdowns. Those 748 yards were the second most in Britt's career and the most by a Rams' pass catcher since Torry Holt in 2008. Those aren't the numbers of a No. 1 wideout like Dez Bryant or A.J. Green but it's better than the Rams have had in awhile.
What's next: Britt only signed a one-year deal with the Rams and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March. The Rams have already begun discussions with Britt's representatives and both sides have been adamant that Britt's future should be in St. Louis. After franchise tags and big-money extensions are doled out, it's possible Britt could be one of the better receivers on the market and draw plenty of interest should it get that far. But so long as the Rams make a representative offer, Britt knows he's better off continuing to play for Fisher.
