St. Louis Rams Lose QB Shaun Hill, OL Mike Person in Free Agency
The St. Louis Rams were able to retain one of their top free agents on Tuesday (tight end Lance Kendricks) and saw another (offensive tackle Joe Barksdale) stay on the open market. However, they did see two supplementary contributors from 2014 depart as quarterback Shaun Hill signed with the Minnesota Vikings and offensive lineman Mike Person signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
Hill was signed to be the Rams’ backup quarterback last offseason, though he was quickly cast into the starting role when Sam Bradford tore his ACL for a second straight year. Hill lost that job after one week to Austin Davis, though he gained it back in Week 11 and performed rather serviceably, completing 63.3 percent of his passes while finishing with 1,657 passing yards, eight touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 83.9. Though the Rams reportedly had dialogue with Hill about returning for 2015, there wasn’t really a clear role for him going forward, as the Rams instead will be rebuilding at the quarterback position with newly-acquired Nick Foles, and perhaps a draft pick.
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Person, meanwhile, had spent two years in the Rams’ organization after being claimed off waivers early in the 2013 season. After being inactive for every game during that season, the 6-foot-4, 299-pounder dressed for all 16 games in 2014, contributing as a blocker on special teams, occasionally playing as a blocking tight end, and subbing at guard when necessary. Person didn’t really fit the profile of a starter, though his presence as a depth guy may be missed on a team that now has just six offensive linemen on its active roster, only two of whom have ever started an NFL game.