Rams sign second linebacker in two days

By R.B. FALLSTROM\AP Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis Rams added their second free-agent linebacker in two days on Thursday, signing Chris Claiborne to a three-year, $10.5 million contract.

Claiborne, a middle linebacker, gets a $3.6 million signing bonus and joins outside linebacker Dexter Coakley in the Rams' restocked defense. Coakley got a five-year, $14.5 million deal with a $3 million signing bonus.

The Rams, who were weak on run defense last year, said the signings on the first two days of the free agency period didn't necessarily mean that linebacker was the greatest area of need.

"We're just trying to improve our team," defensive coordinator Larry Marmie said. "It's the area we had a chance to get started with and I'm sure we're still looking to improve."

The signings represented a splash for a team that has been relatively quiet in the free agent market in recent seasons. The last time the Rams made such an impact was in 1999 when they signed quarterback Trent Green and offensive guard Adam Timmerman.

The Rams needed two new starters at linebacker because Pisa Tinoisamoa is being moved to safety due to concerns about his durability at that position, and Tommy Polley is a free agent. Middle linebacker Robert Thomas, a first-round pick in 2002, is being moved to the outside.

Claiborne, 6-3 and 255 pounds, was the ninth overall pick in the 1999 draft by the Lions out of Southern California. He visited the Rams after the 2002 season but ended up signing with the Vikings.

Claiborne missed four games last year with a calf injury and was seventh on the team in tackles. According to team statistics he had 81 total tackles, including 49 solos, with one interception, one fumble recovery and seven quarterback hurries.

"He's a big physical guy that has a great presence in the run game," Marmie said. "But I think the thing that's surprising about him is he's very athletic and he's not a one-dimensional player by any stretch.

"He drops well into zones, breaks well on the football and has played some man to man coverage against tight ends."

Marmie said Claiborne passed a physical with "flying colors."

"He's been a physical player, so I don't think there's any concern," Marmie said. "You have a concern about all of them staying healthy but there's no injury history with him that threw up any red flags for us."

Coakley is a bit undersized at 5-10 and 236 pounds, but Marmie said he wouldn't be adverse to giving him some time at middle linebacker.

"I don't think any of it is set in stone and that's one of the things about Dexter, I think, that's nice," Marmie said. "We'll line him up probably at several different positions and let things sort themselves out."