Linehan Gets His Man - Hires Roberts for Beleaguered Special Teams

Last year when Scott Linehan first began assembling his staff, he had a vision of the names he wanted to see on his payroll. That list originally included a man be the name of Al Roberts. But Linehan was unable to coax his target out of the Northwest and into St. Louis.

But this year Linehan finally got his man, and this year Roberts will try his hand at figuring out what has over the last few years become a Special Teams nightmare in St. Louis where the Rams have finished at or near the bottom in every category since 2004. The Rams couldn't get Bob Ligashesky out the door fast enough, and the former Special Teams coach was hired immediately by the Steelers.

An old pro with many years of NFL experience, Roberts was contented and happy with the position he has held for four years; coaching an inner-city football team at Garfield High School in Seattle. But this year Roberts will be back in the big-leagues for another go for the first time since his coaching days with Cincinnati.

Stltoday.com

Roberts was with the Bengals from 1997-2002, but when Marvin Lewis took over as Bengals coach in '03, he brought in his own special teams coach.

Roberts also worked in the NFL with the Cardinals (1994-95), the Jets (1991-93), the Eagles (1988-90), and the Houston Oilers (1984-85).

The Rams also hired Mike Cox, who will replace Joe Baker as Linebackers Coach this year. It will be his first stint in the NFL after working the same job at Michigan State for the last four years.