St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher wanted to get Rocky McIntosh "relatively quickly", so it didn't come as a surprise that the free-agent linebacker officially signed with the team after its final minicamp practice Thursday.
A 2006 second-round draft pick by the Washington Redskins, the 6-foot-2, 242-pound McIntosh had 471 tackles, eight sacks and three interceptions in 92 games over six seasons. McIntosh lost his starting job with the Redskins midway through the 2011 season, and the team didn't attempt to re-sign him this offseason.
The free-agent linebacker market was very slow, but interest in McIntosh picked up in April. According to various reports, McIntosh worked out for the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, and he visited with the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, but he remained unsigned until Thursday.
McIntosh likely will compete with veteran Mario Haggan and Justin Cole for the starting weak-side linebacker spot for the Rams, who have James Laurinaitis entrenched at middle linebacker and free-agent addition Jo-Lonn Dunbar slated to play on the strong side. McIntosh had played on the weak-side with the Redskins before they moved to a 3-4 defense under coordinator Jim Haslett.
