Rams sign Mughelli

The Rams have signed former Ravens and Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli to a one-year deal. The 6'1", 260-lb 32-year old is entering his tenth NFL season. He played in his first Pro Bowl in 2010 but tore a MCL midway through last season and was let go by the Falcons in May in a salary cap move. So, to the Falcons pipeline yet again for Les Snead.

Scouts Inc. describes Mughelli as an average starter, a real bruiser with excellent blocking technique. He takes good angles, crushes defenders in the hole, and gets good positioning in pass pro and picks up blitzes well. Hits hard and sustains his blocks. Though considered primarily a lead blocker, he's also been an effective receiver for a fullback, averaging almost 8 yards a catch in his career. Six of his seven career TDs are receiving TDs.

When Atlanta signed Mughelli in 2007, he was highly-regarded enough to draw the biggest contract ever for a fullback. Coming off a season-ending injury last year at his age, though, the obvious business decision for the Falcons was to let him go instead of gamble the $3 million he had coming this season.


My assumption is that Mughelli will be on the field when the Rams officially break training camp tomorrow afternoon. He brings the current roster count to 89. Whatever percentage of full health he is, I give him that much chance to completely transform the training camp race at fullback, and he should be the favorite to win the position. Not only is he head-and-shoulders above any Rams fullback's career since James Hodgins, I doubt anybody else in camp comes up to his thigh pads. If he's close to his previous standard at fullback and healthy enough to be a plus on special teams, Mughelli will be an excellent signing by the Rams.

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Photo: Atlanta Journal-Constitution