St. Louis Rams coach Spagnuolo dropped everything to meet Bartell
“I came in and they were very busy, but I was impressed with the way he just dropped everything to make time,” Bartell said Wednesday at a press conference to announce his official signing with the Rams. “We just struck up and had a great conversation. Actually right in the middle of the weight room, we spoke for about 15 or 20 minutes. Then, he took me around and introduced me to the rest of the staff. That was big for me.”
That initial rapport with Spagnuolo couldn’t have hurt. Bartell signed a lucrative contract that could max out at $28 million over four years if certain incentives are met. But league sources told the Post-Dispatch that the New Orleans offer was even better.
Some other excerpts from Bartell’s press conference:
* On a growing sense of optimism at Rams Park: “I’m just happy to be here. We’ve struggled a lot in the past but I have a really good feeling that things are about to turn around with the staff that we have and with the management that they’ve brought in and some of the guys that we’re bringing in.”
* On playing for a defensive-oriented head coach: “That made quite a difference, especially a defensive guy with his background. The things that he did in New York, I thought they were pretty spectacular. Especially, when they played the Patriots in the Super Bowl _ a team that everybody thought was invincible _ and they dismantled them. How could you not want to play for a guy like that?”
Impressive Bartell, we’ve watched you come so far from that rookie running all over the place. I bet you do look forward to a real defensive coach, as do we all!
I think that it is really cool that Ron Bartell took the offer from the rams over the saints, even though the saint supposedly offered more.
Another feather in the proverbial hat for the organization. It’s about time we retain talent that we’ve cultivated and not have it flourish elsewhere, i.e. Kevin Curtis , London Fletcher,Dre Bly. Has this new regime done anything wrong since JZ and his boys were shown the door? I don’t think so. This should be fun…….
gotta tip the hat to Spags here…losing Bartell really wasn’t optional
Excellent move. The Rams couldn’t. If we could get a deal for Butler at safety, we are at least looking at a secondary with some size and pop.
I’m really happy the Rams signed Bartell. That was important for them to do, and they did it. I think it is a sign of good things to come. Bartell is talking that way, and when the players are encouraged and confident, they build a winning attitude.
Wish SPAGS would have a sit-down, face-to-face ,with TORRY. I have a feeling that the bona-fide super salesman could work things out with him ,too.