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Monday Wrap-Up: Rams Sign WR Wes Welker
By Myles Simmons
View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Monday-Wrap-Up-Rams-Sign-WR-Wes-Welker/513258e1-b2ec-46c9-a13a-038dd0d59503
The Rams bolstered their wide receiving corps with a seasoned veteran, signing Wes Welker to the active roster on Monday.
Welker worked out for the club earlier in the day, and Fisher announced the deal was done during his weekly press conference in the early evening
“Wes will be part of our football team,” Fisher said.
Originally signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech in 2004, Welker spent his first three years in the NFL with the Dolphins before the Patriots traded for him prior to the 2007 season. Once in New England, Welker built a reputation as one of the best slot receivers in the league for quarterback Tom Brady.
He caught a league-leading 112 passes for 1,175 yards with eight touchdowns as the Patriots finished the regular season undefeated, but ultimately lost to the Giants in Super Bowl XLII. In six seasons with New England, Welker amassed a franchise-record 672 receptions, three times leading the league in the category.
Welker signed with the Broncos prior to the 2013 season, and spent the last two seasons there with quarterback Peyton Manning. He caught 12 touchdown passes in Denver, amassing 122 receptions for 1,242 yards.
Fisher said Welker should be able to help the offense improve on third down, as the wide receiver has a long history of being productive in that situation.
“He’s really excited about where this team is going and I think he can potentially help us in a lot of different areas, specifically on third down and keeping the chains moving,” Fisher said.
Third down has especially been an issue over the last three games. St. Louis finished just 2-of-16 in third-down efficiency on Sunday against Minnesota, bringing its total to 4-of-37 since Week 7.
“We need to get better. Four in three games is not good,” Fisher said. “That’s a coaching thing. That’s a player thing. That’s a quarterback thing. It’s everybody that’s involved in that, so we’ll get better.”
While Welker has not been on a roster this season, Fisher said the wideout came in for his workout in outstanding shape.
“We saw that early this morning,” Fisher said. “He’s anxious and eager to play. He’s moved the chains for two potential Hall of Fame quarterbacks. He’s good at what he does, and he understands it.”
Fisher added that Welker was able to meet briefly with quarterback Nick Foles.
“We already had a visit with him and Nick and they’re excited,” Fisher said. “Whether he’s active this week, I can’t predict because we have a short period of time to get him caught up. I think he’ll eventually move some chains for us.”
BAILEY SUSPENDED
Welker’s signing comes in part because wide receiver Stedman Bailey has been suspended for four games for violating the NFL policy and program for substances of abuse.
“Very, very disappointed in his choices. He let himself down in addition to letting his teammates and this organization down. We have a strict policy as it relates to substance abuse and he violated the policy. Fortunately, we’ll get him back in a month,” Fisher said. “Disappointing loss for us, but one that was out of our control. The message has been sent to the players.”
The wide receiver was also suspended for the first two games of last year for violating the same policy.
“We’ve been educating our players for years. There’s a procedure and there’s a protocol and they have to adhere to it,” Fisher said. “Once you go in the testing program, if you have another violation, then you’re going to be subject to whatever the circumstances are. You can’t take it lightly. Like I said, he was remorseful and felt bad. He’s letting the team down and we’re going to miss him for four weeks, and hopefully he’ll learn from his choices.”
“Just disappointed in ‘Sted,’” Fisher added. “He’s a good teammate. He’s a good player. You have to carry over your workplace attitude into your off the field life. He failed us on that.”
Bailey has made 12 receptions for 182 yards and a touchdown in the first eight games of 2015. His suspension begins immediately and he will be eligible to return to the roster on Monday, Dec. 7, following the team’s Dec. 6 contest against the Cardinals.
By Myles Simmons
View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Monday-Wrap-Up-Rams-Sign-WR-Wes-Welker/513258e1-b2ec-46c9-a13a-038dd0d59503
The Rams bolstered their wide receiving corps with a seasoned veteran, signing Wes Welker to the active roster on Monday.
Welker worked out for the club earlier in the day, and Fisher announced the deal was done during his weekly press conference in the early evening
“Wes will be part of our football team,” Fisher said.
Originally signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech in 2004, Welker spent his first three years in the NFL with the Dolphins before the Patriots traded for him prior to the 2007 season. Once in New England, Welker built a reputation as one of the best slot receivers in the league for quarterback Tom Brady.
He caught a league-leading 112 passes for 1,175 yards with eight touchdowns as the Patriots finished the regular season undefeated, but ultimately lost to the Giants in Super Bowl XLII. In six seasons with New England, Welker amassed a franchise-record 672 receptions, three times leading the league in the category.
Welker signed with the Broncos prior to the 2013 season, and spent the last two seasons there with quarterback Peyton Manning. He caught 12 touchdown passes in Denver, amassing 122 receptions for 1,242 yards.
Fisher said Welker should be able to help the offense improve on third down, as the wide receiver has a long history of being productive in that situation.
“He’s really excited about where this team is going and I think he can potentially help us in a lot of different areas, specifically on third down and keeping the chains moving,” Fisher said.
Third down has especially been an issue over the last three games. St. Louis finished just 2-of-16 in third-down efficiency on Sunday against Minnesota, bringing its total to 4-of-37 since Week 7.
“We need to get better. Four in three games is not good,” Fisher said. “That’s a coaching thing. That’s a player thing. That’s a quarterback thing. It’s everybody that’s involved in that, so we’ll get better.”
While Welker has not been on a roster this season, Fisher said the wideout came in for his workout in outstanding shape.
“We saw that early this morning,” Fisher said. “He’s anxious and eager to play. He’s moved the chains for two potential Hall of Fame quarterbacks. He’s good at what he does, and he understands it.”
Fisher added that Welker was able to meet briefly with quarterback Nick Foles.
“We already had a visit with him and Nick and they’re excited,” Fisher said. “Whether he’s active this week, I can’t predict because we have a short period of time to get him caught up. I think he’ll eventually move some chains for us.”
BAILEY SUSPENDED
Welker’s signing comes in part because wide receiver Stedman Bailey has been suspended for four games for violating the NFL policy and program for substances of abuse.
“Very, very disappointed in his choices. He let himself down in addition to letting his teammates and this organization down. We have a strict policy as it relates to substance abuse and he violated the policy. Fortunately, we’ll get him back in a month,” Fisher said. “Disappointing loss for us, but one that was out of our control. The message has been sent to the players.”
The wide receiver was also suspended for the first two games of last year for violating the same policy.
“We’ve been educating our players for years. There’s a procedure and there’s a protocol and they have to adhere to it,” Fisher said. “Once you go in the testing program, if you have another violation, then you’re going to be subject to whatever the circumstances are. You can’t take it lightly. Like I said, he was remorseful and felt bad. He’s letting the team down and we’re going to miss him for four weeks, and hopefully he’ll learn from his choices.”
“Just disappointed in ‘Sted,’” Fisher added. “He’s a good teammate. He’s a good player. You have to carry over your workplace attitude into your off the field life. He failed us on that.”
Bailey has made 12 receptions for 182 yards and a touchdown in the first eight games of 2015. His suspension begins immediately and he will be eligible to return to the roster on Monday, Dec. 7, following the team’s Dec. 6 contest against the Cardinals.