Quinton Coples to Rams: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction
By Mike Chiari , Featured Columnist Mar 16, 2016
View: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2621261-quinton-coples-to-rams-latest-contract-details-comments-and-reaction
Quinton Coples is set to join his third team in a calendar year, as the defensive end signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams Wednesday.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport was the first to report the signing, and NFL Network's Rand Getlin added that it is worth a base value of $6.5 million with potential incentive growth as well:
Rand Getlin @Rand_Getlin
Im told it's a 2-year deal with a base value of $6.5M for DL Quinton Coples and the #Rams. Max value of $9.75M. Great landing spot for him.
Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer reported Coples had a physical in Carolina a few weeks ago.
The 25-year-old former first-round pick was waived during the 2015 campaign by the New York Jets after spending parts of four seasons with them. He was subsequently claimed by the Miami Dolphins, but was released during the offseason in a cost-cutting move.
Coples entered the NFL out of North Carolina to great fanfare in 2012, and his first three years with the Jets were quite productive.
He registered 16.5 sacks from 2012-2014 and started 30 games during that time frame as well.
His production dropped off significantly in 2015, however, after Todd Bowles replaced Rex Ryan as Gang Green's head coach.
Coples made just eight tackles in nine games with the Jets this past season, and did not appear on the stat sheet in six outings with the Dolphins.
According to Mike Vorkunov of NJ.com, Coples didn't feel as though his skill set worked in Bowles' defense: "Only thing was I didn't fit in the defense. That's why the decision was made."
At 6'6" and 284 pounds, the UNC product is an impressive athlete who has shown an ability to produce at the NFL level. Because of that, it didn't take long for him to receive interest after getting cut by Miami.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the reigning NFC champion Carolina Panthers brought Coples in for a physical on March 1.
His home-state team didn't decide to sign him, which may have had to do with their strength along the defensive line, according to Rapoport:
Coples remained in demand, however, and ultimately landed in a situation that could allow him to return to the form that he displayed in his first few NFL seasons.
The Rams have a strong starting defensive line, but Coples versatility will make him a primary option to fill on for defensive ends Robert Quinn and William Hayes as well as defensive tackles Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers.
Also, following the release of defensive end Chris Long, there are plenty of snaps to be had.
Expectations may not be particularly high for Coples after an awful 2015 campaign, but if he is utilized more logically in 2016, then a major bounce back could be in store.