Rams sign free agent QB A.J. Feeley

Mar 6, 2010 - 7:41 PM By JIM SALTER Associated Press Writer

ST. LOUIS(AP) -- The St. Louis Rams have signed free agent A.J. Feeley as part of what could be a big shakeup at the quarterback position.

Terms of the deal announced Saturday were not disclosed, but media reports said Feeley got a two-year contract.

Feeley, who turns 33 in May, was a backup for Carolina in 2009. In 10 seasons he has completed 372 of 665 passes for 4,070 yards, 27 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. His lifetime quarterback rating is 69.6.

Feeley was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round out of Oregon in 2001, and spent his early career in Philadelphia at a time when Andy Reid's staff included Steve Spagnuolo as a defensive assistant and Pat Shurmur as an offensive coach. Spagnuolo is now head coach of the Rams, and Shurmur is offensive coordinator.

"A.J. has an understanding of our offensive system and will be a valuable addition for our team," Spagnuolo said.

How valuable is to be determined because the quarterback situation in St. Louis couldn't be more unsettled after the Rams went a league-worst 1-15 in Spagnuolo's first season. Starter Marc Bulger and backup Kyle Boller may not be back. The Rams' short list of candidates for the No. 1 overall pick includes two quarterbacks - Sam Bradford of Oklahoma and Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame.

They also have Keith Null, a third-string rookie forced to start four games at the end of the 2009 season due to injuries to Bulger and Boller. That means Feeley could end up being anything from a starter until one of the younger quarterbacks is ready to a backup to a third-stringer.

"I have a great deal of respect for coach Spagnuolo and coach Shurmur and I'm looking forward to working with them again in whatever capacity it might be," Feeley said.

Feeley has spent most of his career as a backup, starting 15 games and appearing in 23. He started the final five games of the 2002 season for the Eagles after injuries to Donovan McNabb and Koy Detmer, and won four of those games, helping the Eagles earn home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

He was traded to Miami for a second-round draft pick before the 2004 season and started eight games for the Dolphins. He was traded to San Diego midway through the 2005 season, re-signed with Philadelphia in 2006, and was a backup for Carolina last season.

Feeley hasn't thrown a pass in a regular-season game since 2007.

The Rams also announced the re-signing of safety Craig Dahl, who started 10 games and was fifth on the team with 71 tackles. He had two sacks and recovered two fumbles.