Roster

The St. Louis Rams announced a practice squad of seven players Monday. There is room for one additional player on the practice squad. The list includes QB Brock Berlin, DT Keith Jackson, WR Derek Stanley, WR Dominique Thompson, CB Darius Vinnett and RB John David Washington.

New Rams assistant head coach/running backs coach Art Valero told CBSSports.com that second-year running back Antonio Pittman is a guy to keep our eyes on toward the future. "The first day I walked in here, the first guy that comes up and meets me is Antonio Pittman," Valero said. "He's been here every day working out. He's a sponge. He wants to know what the offense will be like, he wants to be coached up. Al Saunders is bringing in a running back-friendly offense to the Rams, and I'm telling (Pittman) to wait for it all to be installed, then we'll take it in little bits and pieces. ... He wants to be great."

There's not much to like from the Rams defenders in Week 3 action at Tampa Bay. CB Ronald Bartell led the way with six solo tackles, SS Corey Chavous had five tackles, LB Will Witherspoon totaled six hits, DE Leonard Little had four solo tackles, CB O.J. Atogwe had three solo tackles, LB Brandon Chillar had six total tackles and a forced fumble, DL Clifton Ryan had two solo tackles and a forced fumble and DL Trevor Johnson had a sack and a solo tackle.

One bright spot in the Rams' secondary in 2007 was DB O.J. Atogwe, who totaled 75 tackles (66 solo) with eight interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown) and 12 passes defensed. He finished as a top-10 Fantasy DB in standard-scoring leagues that reward tackles. Better yet (for him), Atogwe will be a restricted free agent this offseason.

Notable Rams defenders from Week 14 at Cincinnati include: CB Ronald Bartell (eight solo tackles, interception, forced fumble), LB Chris Draft (12 total tackles), DE Eric Moore (sack, solo tackle) and CB Fakhir Brown (assist, interception).

Rams LB Will Witherspoon continued to be a Fantasy stalwart, leading the Rams with 110 total tackles (92 solo), seven sacks (a career high), seven passes defensed and two forced fumbles. Witherspoon ranked as a top-12 Fantasy LB in standard-scoring leagues.

Brandon Williams' only stat in 2007? A fumble on a special-teams play. The wide receiver did not post any stats on offense for the second straight season.

The Rams agreed to contract terms with wide receiver Reche Caldwell on Tuesday, adding depth to the position. Caldwell got a one-year contract. The 28-year-old Caldwell played for the Washington Redskins last year when Al Saunders was that team's offensive coordinator. Saunders now has that job with the Rams.

Notable Rams defenders from Week 14 at Cincinnati include: CB Ronald Bartell (eight solo tackles, interception, forced fumble), LB Chris Draft (12 total tackles), DE Eric Moore (sack, solo tackle) and CB Fakhir Brown (assist, interception).

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Rams WR Torry Holt is relaxing this offseason but still getting ready for 2008. "Since I had the (knee) surgery last year, I went right to rehab, then I played 16 (games) and then went over and played in the Pro Bowl," Holt said. "So I just wanted to kind of step back and get some rest — not only for my knee, just for my overall body. And from a mental standpoint, just kind of get away and relax. Get away from the building, and get away from football for a while, so I can come back with a fresh mind and give the guys and my teammates what it is they need." Holt, by the way, says his knee is feeling much better than it did a year ago at this time.

The Rams announced the signing of DB Todd Johnson, formerly of the Chicago Bears. In six starts last season, Johnson had 34 total tackles (19 solo) with a pass defensed and a forced fumble.

The inactives for Week 8's game between the Cleveland Browns and the St. Louis Rams are as follows. For Cleveland, Ken Dorsey (third QB), RB Kenny Wright (player decision), DB Nick Sorensen (coach's decision), WR Travis Wilson (coach's decision), DL Ted Washington (coach's decision) and DL Louis Leonard (coach's decision) are all inactive. For the Rams, WR Marques Hagans (coach's decision), WR Travis Taylor (coach's decision), RB Antonio Pittman (coach's decision), DB Bhawoh Jue (coach's decision), LB Quinton Cuberson (hamstring), WR Dante Hall (ankle) and DL Leonard Little (toe).

Rams backup SS Jerome Carter has been ruled out for the year with a fractured right foot, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Signed by the Rams this offseason to boost their pass attack, Drew Bennett wound up missing the season opener with a quad injury and meandering throughout the regular season. In total, he caught 33 passes for 375 yards (11.4 avg., his lowest ever) with three scores.

As if Brian Leonard didn't already have enough to do, now the Rams plan to deploy him on multiple special-teams units. And Leonard couldn't be happier. "I like it; one of the big reasons they drafted me was to come in and be versatile," said Leonard, the team's second-round draft choice last year out of Rutgers, in Thursday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I'll be playing a little bit of running back, a little bit of fullback, special teams. I think I'm best when I'm in different roles at different times." Leonard played in all 16 games during his rookie season, rushing for 303 on 86 carries and picking up 183 yards on 30 receptions. In four starts at running back for an injured Steven Jackson, Leonard rolled up 222 yards on 58 carries — including a 102-yard, 18-carry outing vs. Arizona — and had nine catches for 57 yards.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Rams CB Fakhir Brown has won his appeal of a positive drug test, escaping a one-year suspension from the NFL. Brown missed the first four weeks of the club's offseason workout program because of the looming appeal but is now able to join his team. Brown was suspended for four games in 2007 for violating the NFL's Substance Abuse Policy.

On Sunday, the Rams let go of the following players: WR Rasheed Marshall, WR Nate Morton, WR Markee White, RB Kay-Jay Harris, FB Brad Lau, DE Alton Pettway, LB Larry Edwards, DB Jeffery Dukes and WR-turned-CB Harrison Smith.

The Rams listed the following players as inactive for their Week 15 game vs. Green Bay: QB Brock Berlin (third QB), WR Brandon Williams (ankle), DB Hanik Milligan (hamstring), DL Claude Wroten (coach's decision), WR Marques Hagans (coach's decision).

The Steelers have released RB Kevan Barlow, WR Eric Fowler, DE Derrick Jones, LS Jared Retkofsky, RB Larry Croom, PK Connor Hughes, LB Richard Koonce and WR Dan Sheldon.

The Colts waived LB Dedrick Harrington from their practice squad, according to The Sports Xchange.

After spending the 33rd overall selection on WR Donnie Avery, the Rams are counting on getting hi