There was some confusion Saturday night as to the length of quarterback Kyle Boller’s contract with the St. Louis Rams. One team official told the Post-Dispatch that it was two-year deal. But executive vice president of football operations Kevin Demoff, who handles contract negotiations for the club, confirmed Sunday morning that it’s a one-year deal.
In any event, after a sudden divorce with Gus Frerotte, the Rams wasted little time in finding another backup quarterback. Shortly after the team completed its first minicamp Saturday under coach Steve Spagnuolo, the Rams announced they had signed Boller as Marc Bulger’s backup.
A former first-round draft pick, whom Mike Martz liked coming out of college, Boller was Baltimore’s starting quarterback for much of his first five seasons in the NFL. But he spent the entire 2008 season on injured reserve, with rookie Joe Flacco leading the Ravens into the playoffs and the AFC title game.
Boller, 27, suffered a partially torn labrum in the Ravens’ second preseason game last August. The University of California product underwent surgery but was throwing before the end of the ‘08 campaign.
Boller was quietly brought into Rams Park on Thursday for a free-agent visit. In between the morning and afternoon practices at the Rams Park, coaches and general manager Billy Devaney watched Boller throw.
“He was really impressive,” Devaney said. “He’s a smart guy. I think he fits in really good with what we’re trying to do here.”
Boller underwent a physical in St. Louis and came through fine. He spent a couple of days around Rams Park, and seemed to fit in well, before signing the contract and heading back to California. He will return to Rams Park early next week to take part in the team’s ongoing offseason conditioning program.
As for Frerotte, talks broke down before the start of minicamp, and the team apparently grew tired of waiting. League sources said Frerotte may have some knee issues that although minor may have prevented him from being ready to join the Rams at this time.
we just need peyton manning and all the good recivers that we can get and steve the head coach sucks
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Popsy!
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these guys both suck!
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COUPLE OF POINTS;
1)There should be no debate, Boller comes in as the backup,not to compete for Bulger’s job. I know MB has lost practically everyone’s confidence (including mine)but I am curious to see if he can get it back under the new regime.I’m feeling optimistic that he may have a return to form if the o-line can keep him on his feet and the running game is there. That being said,we should feel a whole lot better about getting Boller over Ferrotte.
2)I’m glad to hear that Spag’s will consider offers for the Ram’s #2 pick.
3)I would love to see us get a top-notch,veteran WR. I like the young crop we have but we need a go-to guy if Bulger is gonna be successful.
4)At the very least,Ram’s fans have something to be hopeful about…finally.For the first time in a while,we can see some direction and a new attitude.With a little help on D and if Bulger does get it back together,I can see an 8-8 season.
Go Rams!
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Okay, Smith..,(sigh) on a more REALISTIC note; I’ll have to concede – drafting a QB the likes of Josh Freeman, Rhett Bomar or even Cahse Daniel – would make sense.
That is; presuming all the secondary and other ‘need’ positions are adequately addressed.
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Smith, we can dream…, right? I’m hoping that our new dynamic FO, can figure out a way to make a trade/deal …, whatEVER; so long as the Rams, GET TEBOW!
Who knows what kind of needs, the early first rounders, will have, next year.
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Boller is a decent QB that can handle pressure. If he put his mind to it, he could be a starter.
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Rams Homer – “Bulger and Boller, will do, until next year – when the Rams, GET TEBOW!”
Are you saying the Rams will have have a top 3 pick in next years draft too? I hope not.I can see 6 or 7 wins this season. If Freeman is still there in the 2nd round the Rams should give him some serious thought. Bulger is here for a while (cap $) and if Boller has a good season he’s gone next year anyway. Jason Smith with #2.
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Good move! Kyle Boller’s a good young quarterback with a bright future ahead of him. Lets get the holes patched up in the offensive line and give our young recievers and Marc Bulger a chance to do their job. And if Bulger should get hurt (I hope not), we have a very capable young guy to step in and lead the team. I’m hoping Bulger can return to Pro Bowl form. But he’s going to need protection! Signing Boller is a good move in my book.
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I am actually ok with this acquisition. Very good backup signing.
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I am really happy about this signing. Boller is a definite improvement over Frerotte who was terrible when he played here before. If Bulger continues to play as he has the past 2 years, Bulger will become the backup QB. Good work by Devaney and Spags! Good riddance to Frerotte.
With this signing, I don’t think we need to worry about signing a QB from the draft this year. We have filled our needs at QB for the time being and can concentrate on our many other needs. We can look at this position again next year when we hopefully are not as hard pressed at other positions and there are better QB’s available. I agree with Homer and mhammer on this point.
I don’t agree with cowboy. The young QB the Rams seemed to want to draft was Tom Brandstater, and he isn’t anywhere near as good as Boller. I hope the signing of Boller prevents the drafting of Brandstater. If so, this signing serves 2 good purposes.
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Hey cowboy44-96 guy…Your a jerk and if your a real ram fan how could you hate you big fat loser
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I really dont know what stats you are looking at to come up with comments like he is a gamer, he will provide MB with some competition, I hope MB goes down and we have our new QB…. Kyle Boller was a complete failure in Baltimore. He was drafted in 2003 ( Ravens 1st round pick) one year after MB and his stats are horrible. 71.9 QB rating 746 Comp 1311 ATT 56.9% 7846 yards 45 TDs 44 INT. Besides the fact he cant stay healthy. He has averaged only 10 games a season. He is taking up cap room that should of been used for a low round draft pick that might be a QB of the future. Which is real soon considering MB’s contract and health. this is the first move that the “new” Rams have made that I see no reason for it. Berlin is every bit as good as Boller and possibly better.
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I like it,no disrespect Gus but you stink in my books. It was a good move,the right move, by Mr.Devaney and the Rams organization. Bravo !!
Someone to lead this team with urgency when Bulger tears his skirt.
They finally came through and aquired a young gun that can challenge her highness.
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And while I digress, I personally LIKE the Boller move.
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I can’t imagine that all this hatred for Bulger DOESN’T stem from a small pack of WWF’s – ‘Wounded Warner Fans’. Those who will FOREVER blame Marc for their ‘mesiah’s’ departure. Regardless of what Marc ever does as a Ram (good or bad), there will ‘always’ be those that you can’t reason with. And when Bulger passes gas in line, I suppose there’ll be a lynch-mob ready to brutalize the guy … as if it’s a capitol offense, or something? I’m glad you’re not MY boss. And as far as Bulger not feeling the pressure, or getting hit all the time, you may want to pick up a book on the game – it’s a team sport. Sure, a quarterback has to have a sense for pressure. But, how can he make any kind of play when he has Goldberg, a rookie in Greco, Romberg out, Bell-not-yet-gelled with teammates, an injured or aging Pace, Incognito-the-turnstile, & Barron playing out of position, and NICK LECKEY (of all people) imitating a professional NFL offensive line, pretending to block for him!? OH! And, no fullback and TWO rookie wide receivers, his starting tight end out and a washed up Anthony Becht as the so-called ‘blocking specialist’. Gimme a break! Heck, Steven isn’t a very good blocker either. The line, tight ends and backs are ALL responsible for protecting the quarterback. Did it ever occur to you guys that Bulger is trying to make a play down field and just has ‘lousy’ protection? He has faults – he DOES telegraph his throws sometime. Heck, he’s shell-shocked. Warner was shell-shocked too. Like Warner, Bulger, with the better coaching & all his support back in place, should develop out from under that stigma or label. However, some folks really don’t need much of a reason to cause them to yell, “GET A ROPE!” In that case, nobody is gonna tell you guys ‘anything’. You hate Bulger regardless. BUT, that’s not being very objective. It’s an opinion, sure – and a slanted one at that. It doesn’t make it true. It’s either that or, they just don’t like his demeanor. AND WHAT THE HECK IS THAT!? He’s not a leader because he doesn’t throws Gatorade buckets at Chip Rosenbloom, yell right in Jim Thomas’ face, or slap Adam Sheffter!? R-I-G-H-T. One thing is for sure. He’s NOT a confrontational-cancer like that jerk T.O.? That isn’t the only way people lead, though, folks – being demonstrative. See Tom Landry. Given the right support, the guy is above average. Give the guy some receivers (not an aging Holt, who mailed-it-in last year, with a sour attitude), some more experience at key spots on the offensive line, give Steven more experience at blocking, and give Karney a chance to show why he was brought here, before the Transylvania goon squad storms the castle at Rams Park and smokes out Bulger-the-Terrible! The whole premise is absolutely ridiculous. What is it my dearly departed Grandmother use to say to me, long before the phrase was ever actually coined? Oh yeah, … “YOU CAN’T FIX STUPID.”
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Thank goodness. They signing makes me feel much better than Gus. He sucked when he was here last time and I don’t care if our OL sucked at that time or not!
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I like it because Bulger should not feel secure in his job. He needs to earn it. May the best win.
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Phew! No Ferrotte! (…, still trying to figure that one out.)
Bill, you make a good argument; “Let the QB competition begin”!
Greg, relax, Man. We don’t need to waste a draft pick on a developmental QB. Bulger and Boller, will do, until next year – when the Rams, GET TEBOW!
Another move by the new FO, that doesn’t leave me frustrated! Git ‘em, RAMS!!!
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This is much better than signing the washed up Ferrotte. Boller is a capable back up, which he knows he will get playing time because Bulger will not be able to stay healthy.
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What do think of this signing bear fans,and it didn’t even cost a draft pick! OH-OH
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The RAMS get a younger QB to back up Bulger, this is good and saves a draft pick. Now Boller has game experience, albeit under Brian Billick. Billick threw him into the fire and thru the media it appeared that Boller was never given the proper instructions. It is my hope that the RAMS instruct Boller and prepare to take Bulger’s place and be a useable QB.
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They flew him in under the radar, what else is coming next? Good signing.
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Alright….. I was an advocate for Garcia, but I’m good with Boller…. but please, for the love of God, MAKE THE STARTING QB POSITION UP FOR GRABS!! May the best QB start in September…. I have confidence in Spags, but I hope he makes this about competition… If Bulger beats Boller out, I’ll have no complaints, but if Boller beats Bulger out, then let it be…. don’t just hand the reigns to Bulger… at least give Boller a shot at winning the job…. that is my only hope for this…. Spags is creating competition everywhere else, I would be shocked if it wasn’t the same for the QB’s…. let the competition begin!
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I think we all agree, Better Kyle than Gus.
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Seems like another good signing. Now let’s see it on the field. At least the Rams now have a decent backup to take Bulger’s spot when he gets hurt.
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Thank you so very much, I was so disappointed when I thought we were going to sign Gus the Bum. He was so horrible when he was here before. Thanks for signing a younger QB that has some upside. I really have been liking all the moves this year, and as a fan makes me very excited about the future.
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So. Cali Valley Boy….. thank you for signing Boller and not Frerotte!!!
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Nice sign! Boller is a better option that Frerotte. He’s younger, so there is at least a chance that there’s some upside. The Rams should still look for a QB in the draft to develop down the road.
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Very nice project pick, this guy is tough and I agree with a earlier post, if Bulger goes down are look bad he will be a career clipboard QB.
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I think Boller is a good pick-up. He believes he is a starter and is looking to prove himself. He could easily push Bulger and quite possibly could become the starter. If he does, he is obviously looking at a better contract and more opportunities. He has probably more potential than anyone the Rams could have picked up in anything later than round one of the draft. Bulger better watch his A$$!
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AMEN! No dinosaur Gus! Man am I diggin the new regime! Thanks Billy and Spags!
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Boller was a very ordinary QB at Baltimore, completing 57%, 45 touchdowns and 44 interceptions, and a 5 year, career QB rating of 71.9. But, he has played on a power running team with a strong defense — at least what Spagnuolo and Devaney are aiming at, and he’s still young and may indeed improve. He seems a far better choice than Frerotte.
Career stats: http://www.nfl.com/players/kyleboller/profile?id=BOL517890
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njcoramfan – Interesting that you should say “Some in this discussion seem to misunderstand the term ‘back up’.” In reading the article from the Rams web site, this statement was made:
“RAMS ADD BOLLER: The Rams ended their search for a veteran quarterback on Saturday afternoon, signing Kyle Boller to bolster their depth at the position.
Terms of the deal were not immediately available.
“We are happy to add Kyle to our roster,” coach Steve Spagnuolo said. “We feel that he will be a valuable addition to our team.”
The addition of Boller ends the Rams’ search for a replacement for veteran Trent Green, who was released on Feb. 25 and served as the backup to Bulger.”
For some reason Boller is not being mentioned as a backup. Interesting!!!
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Good!
At least we won’t have a statue standing in the pocket when Bulger gets skitess and and goes down.
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I like the move and was worried about siging Forgotte.Boller has a lot of upside at least more then Gus.
I also think JACOB is an IDIOT, don’t need people like him here.
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checked out boller’s creds on wiki and looks like a gamer to me. bulger needs to be pressed.
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Okay someone at the Post dispatch just bought a new thesaurus.”entcoach” Let me help the rest of the class.
“Do you fit this definition as an entrepreneur? Can you organize and manage a business? Are you willing (and able) to take considerable risks? Is initiative one of your qualities?
To be successful as an entrepreneur, its vital to have the latest information, strategies and resources for the business world. Just like a coach, entcoach.com is here to help!”
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Actually, it’s just a myth that Bulger can’t see someone coming from his backside. I tried to carjack him at gunpoint the other day, and snuck up behind him, while he was putting groceries in his trunk. At the last second he grabbed my arm with the gun snf flipped me over his shoulder, my head hit his back tire and dazed me. During the fall, I lost control of my gun and he picked it up and fired three times at my forehead. The only thing I can’t figure out is… did he know it was just a water gun?
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At least there is some upside here. It may save us a draft pick on a developmental rookie. If we were trying to make the playoffs THIS year, give me Gus. We’re building a young team, give me high ceilings.
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Great signing, Boller is young, has a strong arm and “WHEN” Bulgless goes down or gets benched Boller will take the starting spot and so long Bulgless, Nice job Billy!!
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p.s. Remember Kurt was a grocery clerk before his rise. Don’t hate , appreciate…the NEW RAMS!
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MUCH better choice than F. Some in this discussion seem to misunderstand the term “back up”
Peace!
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Great, now we can move on from this overdiscussed debate. Jacob, you’re an idiot. I’m sure whoever they signed as a backup youd’ve had a problem with. Kudos again to the new regime. I’m wondering if Spags has a personal like for Plaxico Burress and would be interested….
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At least Boller throws the ball instead of hanging onto and taking the hit. Boller can at least feel the presure and be taught to throw it in an area where it will not be caught. Bulger cannot tell when someone is coming from behind. When Bulger does see a DL coming he instantly goes to a fetal position. Which type of QB would you want? A QB that can get rid of the ball and has a good chance of not loosing yards or one that has no clue when he is about to be hit?
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Thanks goodness, no Gus!!!!!
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I’m much happier with Boller than Frerotte!
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So now the Rams have to QB’s that’ll throw an interception rather then take a hit.
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I think this is a better pick up than Gus would have been.
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