Rams report, 1/20

* Josh McDaniels was introduced as the Rams' new offensive coordinator yesterday. Some catchup on the hiring:

- At the time talks briefly broke down earlier this week, the sides were reported to be $200,000 apart. McDaniels got a 2-year contract, which would expire at the same time as Steve Spagnuolo's current contract.

- Spagnuolo called the illegal taping controversy while McDaniels was Broncos head coach "a non-issue". McDaniels was fined $50,000 by the league last year for failing to notify that a Broncos assistant had taped part of a 49ers practice, against league rules, in the week prior to their game against the 49ers in London. The Broncos were also fined $50K, and the assistant was fired.

- ESPN analyst Tim Hasselbeck thinks McDaniels and a new system "very different" from the Rams' current offense will mean "a big step back" for Sam Bradford. Yeah, there's a touch of validity to that point, but didn't Bradford learn a new system this past season? And only had one of the best seasons ever by a rookie QB? I think Sam will manage.

Spagnuolo's conversation with Bradford prior to the McDaniels hiring:

I said, 'Is there any concern on your part about if it changes a little bit?' And he said, 'You know what, coach? I came in there out of college and didn't know anything and learned an offense and didn't do too bad.' So he doesn't seem to think it's...he wasn't fazed at all. Sam can play in any offense, that's just how we feel. He's a quarterback. He's a quality quarterback."

- Current Rams QB coach Dick Curl will retire "in the near future," says Spagnuolo. Here's a huge coinkydink - Josh McDaniels' brother was QB coach in Denver last year! Reportedly, though, his name was not brought up during the Rams' interviews with Josh. Josh could also assume QB coaching duties as part of a double role, which he did while in New England.

* Former Rams news:
- Kevin Curtis, who you may have seen play wild card weekend, signed with the Chiefs. He was there less than a week and they were already using him as their #2 WR. Curtis had been cut by Miami before the last game of the regular season.
- Brian Leonard was IR'ed prior to Cincinnati's last game due to an ankle problem. He was carted off the field during their December 19 win over the Browns. That cost him that last two-plus games; he missed opening week due to a mid-foot sprain and was inactive a couple of other weeks. He was used mainly as a receiver in Cincy this year; 20 catches for 137 yards vs. just 9 carries for 61 (one of which was a 42-yard gain on a fake punt). He did convert four 4th-downs for the Bengals, certainly more than he ever did here in St. Louis.
- Cardia Jackson was added to the Packers' practice squad.
- The Broncos signed Louis Leonard to their main roster before the last game of the regular season.
- Reserve/future contract signings: Roger Allen (Saints); Brooks Foster (Dolphins); Phil Trautwein (Browns); Roy Schuening (Saints); Mitch King (Saints); Dominic Douglas (Broncos); Chris Ogbonnaya (Texans); Cord Parks (Vikings); Danny Gorrer (Ravens).

* Rams ties to teams in Sunday's conference championships:
- Chicago: head coach Lovie Smith, offensive coordinator Mike Martz, LB Pisa Tinoisamoa, TE Brandon Manumaleuna, assistant secondary coach Gill Byrd (volunteer assistant, 2003-4).
- Green Bay: nose tackle Ryan Pickett, outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene, LB Brandon Chillar (injured reserve), LB Cardia Jackson (practice squad).
- Pittsburgh: kicker Shaun Suisham, who played here this preseason while Josh Brown recovered from a minor injury.
- N.Y. Jets: wide receivers coach Henry Ellard.

That NFC game looks like it'll be a big old reunion of the 2003 division champion Rams. Hopefully these teams get a lot better safety play. Certainly they won't have Steve Smith to deal with.

Good luck to all!

photos: KMOX.com, Sky News

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