phase 2 of free agency (Rams & FAs 3/14-?)

Agamemnon wrote:

oples flamed out with the Dolphins last season after three-plus underwhelming campaigns with the Jets

Another Waufle/Wms reclamation project?

On a different level, it’s kind of like Ayers and Fairley. Or, the intent is. We don’t even know if they will sign him.

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http://www.sportsmedia101.com/newyorkjets/2016/02/22/miami-dolphins-release-former-new-york-jets-linebacker-quinton-coples/

Coples had a $7.8 million option this coming season, something the Dolphins felt was too rich for their blood. Coples did not produce the great numbers the Jets had hoped and did not fit in at all on new head coach Todd Bowles’ defense.

The Jets moved Coples to OLB from defensive end when they brought in Sheldon Richardson in 2013. Coples, 6’6″ and 290 pounds played fairly well at linebacker, but he was clearly too big physically for the job. He is much better suited for defensive end in a 4-3 scheme. Bowles’ instituted that in 2015 but Coples just did not fare well.

Joe Klecko: Quinton Coples “looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane”

May 4, 2014

“A little bit of the time he looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane,” Klecko said on WFAN, via the New York Daily News. “I don’t know him at all, but understanding attitude and body language, he sometimes comes out there I think and thinks ‘Don’t you know who I am? I’m here.’ He has to start proving that he is something to be reckoned with.”

Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com follows up on Klecko’s comments, writing that Coples has “tested the patience” of the team’s coaching staff and it’s not the first public airing of grievances about his effort level. Coach Rex Ryan said last year that Coples needed to work harder in the weight room and Coples was dogged by questions about his work ethic coming out of college.

As second wave of free agency hits, #Rams getting active

Vincent Bonsignore

link: http://www.insidesocal.com/nfl/2016/03/14/as-second-wave-of-free-agency-hits-rams-getting-active/

While the Rams focused primarily on retaining their own free agents during the first week of free agency – and ultimately retained LB Mark Barron, DE’s Williams Hayes and Eugene Sims, C’s Tim Barnes and Brian Folkerts, S Cody Davis and WR Brian Quick – they always had their eyes on the open market.

And with the secondary phase of free agency hitting, they are starting to kick the tires on some potential additions.

The Rams hosted Chicago Bears free agent tight end Zach Miller this weekend and he was remained in town meeting with coaches on Monday. Sources have now confirmed they are bringing in free agent defensive end Quinton Coples and New York Giants free agent wide receiver Rueben Randle for visits.

Coples played last season with the Miami Dolphins after three-plus disappointing seasons with the New York Jets. Coples was the Jets first-round pick (16th overall) in the 2012 draft, but never lived up to expectations. He’s still relatively young – 25-years-old – and Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and defensive-minded head coach Jeff Fisher have a track record of figuring out ways to best utilize players who fell out of favor elsewhere. See Mark Barron.

As for Randle, he’s a big (6-4 205 pounds) fast, durable target who would be welcome addition to a team in desperate need of production at the wide receiver position. Randle is not a No. 1 receiver by any stretch, but his 128 catches for 1,735 yards and 11 touchdowns over he last two seasons would fit nicely in an offense in search of more punch.