Rams Sign No. 2 Overall Pick Smith -- Thu Jul 30 6:50 pm --
Highly Decorated Baylor Standout To Begin Career At RT | The St. Louis Rams have signed 2009 first-round draft choice offensive tackle Jason Smith, the team announced today. Terms of the contract were undisclosed.
In 2008, Smith earned first-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association, was a unanimous All-Big 12 Conference selection after recording a school-record 96 knockdowns.
The 6-5, 306-pound Smith started 31 career games (24 at left tackle, seven at right tackle) for the Baylor Bears after beginning his career as a tight end. Smith allowed three quarterback pressures and 4.5 sacks in 1,147 plays at left tackle from 2007-08. His blocking efforts helped Baylor rank 21st in the nation and third in the Big 12 in rushing, averaging 195.75 yards per game. (St. Louis Rams Website)
FF Today's Take: Locking up Smith was important for both sides. Smith needed the second overall pick in camp early to re-acclimate himself to the right side while the Rams desperately needed to make sure they do everything in their power to get Smith up to speed as they begin their transition to OC Pat Shurmur's West Coast offense.
|  |
|
