Rams Add Needed Experience to Receiving Corps

While it appeared the biggest weakness the St. Louis Rams would have heading into next week's training camp would be wide receiver, the team made a move Wednesday that provides invaluable experience to the position.

The Rams have acquired former Oakland Raider Ronald Curry to the mix. The eight-year veteran has spent his entire playing career with the Raiders, but signed with Detroit in the offseason. The Lions have a lot of depth at wideout, making the former University of North Carolina quarterback expendable.

To land Curry, the Rams sent defensive tackle Orien Harris to Detroit. Harris had just been acquired in May from Cincinnati in a move that sent running back Brian Leonard to the Bengals.

Curry has 193 receptions in his seven-year career, averaging 12.2 yards per catch with 13 touchdowns. He became trade fodder when the Lions landed Dennis Northcutt from Jacksonville. Detroit has 11 wideouts on its current roster, led by Pro Bowler Calvin Johnson.

Detroit has three rookies in its receiving corps, something to which the Rams can relate. Rookies Sean Walker, Jarrett Byers, and Brooks Foster dot the Rams roster heading into camp.

Before the acquisition of Curry, seven-year vet Tim Carter was the Rams most experienced receiver. Carter spent his previous six seasons with the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, but had just 80 catches.

Former Atlanta receiver Laurent Robinson heads into camp No. 1 on the depth chart, and has a whopping 42 catches in two seasons. Donnie Avery had 53 receptions last year as a Rams rookie, and is the best deep threat for quarterback Marc Bulger.

Curry was a necessary move to give the group a true veteran leader. While never any team's No. 1 option, he brings a quarterback mindset to the position.

In other recent moves, the Rams re-signed safety Oshiomogho Atogwe to a one-year deal. Both sides will try to negotiate a long-term deal by the end of the season. The Rams had designated Atogwe as a franchise player.

The Rams also signed draft choices Foster and cornerback Bradley Fletcher last week, leaving them only offensive tackle Jason Smith and second-round pick James Laurinaitis as their only unsigned draft picks. Smith, from Baylor, was the No. 2 overall selection while Laurinaitis, the former Ohio State linebacker, was drafted early in the second round. The club said signing both before camp opens July 31 is a "top priority." Rookies and quarterbacks are scheduled to report July 30.