Rams reach deal with first-round draft choice

~ St. Louis made some free agent additions and held its first practice Saturday

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams and first-round pick Robert Quinn agreed to terms on a four-year contract with an option for a fifth season.

Quinn, the 14th pick out of North Carolina, had to wait five days after changing agents before signing. He missed the first day of training camp Saturday but is expected to be on the field today.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said after the first workout that Quinn's plane had landed in St. Louis and that the two had spoken by telephone. Spagnuolo added that Quinn hadn't signed earlier because of a personal issue, not a contract issue.

"Now it's physicals and the contract. Hopefully that won't be a problem," Spagnuolo said. "We'll get him out there just as soon as the league says we can do it."

Rams cornerback Ron Bartell towels off Saturday during the first day of practice at the team's training facility in St. Louis. (Jeff Roberson ~ Associated Press)

Quinn had 11 sacks as a sophomore, but was among three players kicked off the team last year for receiving improper benefits, and then was declared permanently ineligible.

Earlier in the day, wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker and cornerback Al Harris agreed to terms on one-year contracts.

Spagnuolo said the Rams were attempting to restructure contracts with offensive guard Jacob Bell and defensive back James Butler, and were hopeful both could remain with the team. Both were on the sidelines watching practice.

Spagnuolo said he'd like to re-sign offensive guard Adam Goldberg, an unrestricted free agent.

Sims-Walker had 43 catches with a 13.1-yard average and seven touchdowns last year for the Jacksonville Jaguars and has 14 touchdowns the last two seasons, providing a deep threat for Sam Bradford. The Rams had been considering re-signing Mark Clayton, who was sidelined by knee surgery last October, but Spagnuolo said Clayton wasn't ready.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo talks to wide receiver Donnie Avery during Saturday's practice.

"Mark right now, the leg's not right just yet," Spagnuolo said. "So we're going to just kind of hold off."

Sims-Walker said the Rams contacted him for the first time Friday morning.

The 36-year-old Harris played only three games last year because of a knee injury and is reunited with Spagnuolo, who had been an assistant coach in Philadelphia when Harris played for the Eagles. Harris, a 13-year veteran, played three games with the Dolphins last year after returning from a knee injury.

"I love the game, man, love the game," Harris said. "Still got something to prove. Here to help win. Spags, great guy. Just trying to help build something."

The first practice was an early-morning walkthrough and Spagnuolo said coaches had to rein in players eager for action. In a two-hour afternoon session, Spagnuolo tried his best not to be too demanding.

St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford signs autographs for fans after practice during NFL football training camp Saturday, July 30, 2011, at the Rams' training facility in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

"I was talking to myself the whole practice. I really was," Spagnuolo said. "You're trying to get them ready. You don't want to wear them out. You're trying to stay away from injuries but yet you want them to be ready to go.

"Be calm, be cool, let this one go. It's day one."

Players were enthusiastic with the initial results.

"The first day was good," running back Steven Jackson said. "It felt great to get out here with the team, actually sit down with the coaching staff, and just being in the whole team element."

Nine players, eight rookies plus second-year wide receiver Danario Alexander, cramped in heat and high humidity that spiked after a storm.

A busy Friday

The Rams agreed to terms Friday on a four-year contract with guard Harvey Dahl, who had been a fixture in Atlanta and had been considered one of the top free agents at his position. Center Jason Brown and Bell have contracts worth at least $30 million and tackle Jason Smith has a five-year deal worth as much as $62 million after getting taken with the second pick of the 2009 draft.

The other starter, tackle Rodger Saffold, was the first pick of the second round last year.

The 30-year-old Dahl helped the Falcons win the NFC South last year, starting all 16 games, and made 43 starts the last three seasons. He replaces Goldberg, who started 16 games last season.

Also on Friday, the Rams agreed to terms on a one-year contract with 245-pound outside linebacker Zac Diles, who made 10 starts last year for the Texans, stepping in after middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans was sidelined with an Achilles' injury, and was third on the team in tackles. Diles was a seventh-round pick out of Kansas State in 2007.

Tight end Lance Kendricks, a second-round pick this year, also agreed to terms.

The Rams also signed four of their restricted free agents -- linebacker David Vobora, guard John Greco, offensive tackle Renardo Foster and linebacker Chris Chamberlain. Wide receiver Danny Amendola and defensive end C.J. Ah You, both exclusive rights free agents, signed tenders.

Amendola led the Rams with 85 receptions last season, scoring three touchdowns. Ah You, a pass rush specialist, had four sacks.