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http://www.101espn.com/category/hbalzer ... e-Lineman/
[wrapimg=left]http://www.101espn.com/images/authors/medium/hbalzer.jpg[/wrapimg]The Rams won a competition for the services of former Canadian Football League offensive lineman Jovan Olafioye (pronounced OH-la-FY-oh-yay), officially signing him to a three-year contract.
The 6-6, 325-pound Olafioye played two seasons for the British Columbia Lions of the CFL and was named to the league’s All-Star team this past season. He was also a finalist for the league’s outstanding lineman award in 2011, but finished second in the voting. The Lions also won the league championship in 2011.
Since the end of the NFL regular season, Olafioye, who played collegiately at North Carolina Central and was a defensive lineman early in his career, had tryouts or visits with eight other teams. He worked out for the Rams on Jan. 5. The other teams were Indianapolis, Jan. 3 (visit), Jacksonville, Jan. 4, Washington, Jan. 10, New Orleans, Jan. 11, Cincinnati, Jan. 12, San Francisco, Jan. 17, Carolina, Jan. 20 (visit) and the New York Jets (visit) Jan. 24.
Six other teams, Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, Minnesota, the New York Giants and Pittsburgh, were also reported to be interested. He was in the Detroit Lions’ rookie minicamp in 2010, but wasn’t signed. Considered very raw when he signed with British Columbia, Olafioye progressed very quickly.
Olafioye played right tackle for the Lions, but also could be a candidate to play guard. He fits the big and physical attributes of linemen favored by head coach Jeff Fisher.
During the 2011 season, Lions left tackle Ben Archibald said of Olafioye’s NFL potential, “I’ve never seen anyone with his strength and aggressive demeanor at such a young age (24). He has the physicality to do whatever he wants, and that’s what they look for, when you’re playing against the bigger bodies in the NFL. That’s what you need and that’s what he has.”
Olafioye is considered a rookie free agent by the NFL, so his contract and signing bonus has to fit under whatever the eventual rookie pool will be for each team. Agent Dan Vertleib told the Vancouver Sun, “His signing bonus money was very limited. We were much more focused on guaranteed salary, and the Rams made a very strong proposal. We couldn't be happier."
The Rams guaranteed part of Olafioye's salary in each of the first two years for skill and injury. Next season, $45,000 of his $390,000 base is guaranteed, and $40,000 of his $480,000 base in 2013 is guaranteed. His base for 2014 is $600,000, which is $30,000 higher than the $570,000 league minimum. Those base salaries assume the player plays and is credited for previous seasons. To receive credit, a player must be active for three games in a season.
The Rams also placed wide receiver John Chiles on waivers. Chiles was on the practice squad and had been signed to a contract for 2012 on Jan. 2.
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[wrapimg=left]http://www.101espn.com/images/authors/medium/hbalzer.jpg[/wrapimg]The Rams won a competition for the services of former Canadian Football League offensive lineman Jovan Olafioye (pronounced OH-la-FY-oh-yay), officially signing him to a three-year contract.
The 6-6, 325-pound Olafioye played two seasons for the British Columbia Lions of the CFL and was named to the league’s All-Star team this past season. He was also a finalist for the league’s outstanding lineman award in 2011, but finished second in the voting. The Lions also won the league championship in 2011.
Since the end of the NFL regular season, Olafioye, who played collegiately at North Carolina Central and was a defensive lineman early in his career, had tryouts or visits with eight other teams. He worked out for the Rams on Jan. 5. The other teams were Indianapolis, Jan. 3 (visit), Jacksonville, Jan. 4, Washington, Jan. 10, New Orleans, Jan. 11, Cincinnati, Jan. 12, San Francisco, Jan. 17, Carolina, Jan. 20 (visit) and the New York Jets (visit) Jan. 24.
Six other teams, Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, Minnesota, the New York Giants and Pittsburgh, were also reported to be interested. He was in the Detroit Lions’ rookie minicamp in 2010, but wasn’t signed. Considered very raw when he signed with British Columbia, Olafioye progressed very quickly.
Olafioye played right tackle for the Lions, but also could be a candidate to play guard. He fits the big and physical attributes of linemen favored by head coach Jeff Fisher.
During the 2011 season, Lions left tackle Ben Archibald said of Olafioye’s NFL potential, “I’ve never seen anyone with his strength and aggressive demeanor at such a young age (24). He has the physicality to do whatever he wants, and that’s what they look for, when you’re playing against the bigger bodies in the NFL. That’s what you need and that’s what he has.”
Olafioye is considered a rookie free agent by the NFL, so his contract and signing bonus has to fit under whatever the eventual rookie pool will be for each team. Agent Dan Vertleib told the Vancouver Sun, “His signing bonus money was very limited. We were much more focused on guaranteed salary, and the Rams made a very strong proposal. We couldn't be happier."
The Rams guaranteed part of Olafioye's salary in each of the first two years for skill and injury. Next season, $45,000 of his $390,000 base is guaranteed, and $40,000 of his $480,000 base in 2013 is guaranteed. His base for 2014 is $600,000, which is $30,000 higher than the $570,000 league minimum. Those base salaries assume the player plays and is credited for previous seasons. To receive credit, a player must be active for three games in a season.
The Rams also placed wide receiver John Chiles on waivers. Chiles was on the practice squad and had been signed to a contract for 2012 on Jan. 2.
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