He eventually signed a $14-million contract that could end up being worth $17 million.

"You all know my relationship with James goes way back and it's a special one and I'm delighted that he's a part of us," Spagnuolo said. "His knowledge of the scheme, his experience as a starter and his character in the locker room, in my opinion, will go a long ways, so we're excited about James."

Said Butler, about the wait to get the deal done, "I was talking to other teams, but in the back of mind, I was going to be here. We just had to work things out. It just took a little longer than expected, but everything worked out for the best and I'm excited. I'm excited about the path about to be taken with the Rams."

Butler has worked out with Rams cornerbacks Tye Hill and Ron Bartell, as well as safety Oshiomogho Atogwe, and is looking forward to playing together.

Said Butler, "I tell you what, I think coach 'Spags' had to text them or something to tell them to keep calling me because I got about 1,000 texts from Tye, O.J. and Ron saying, "Are you coming? Are you coming? Are you signed yet?' So, they definitely were texting me. I worked out with them a lot in Atlanta, so we have a little camaraderie together, so it should be fun."

--The Rams moved quickly after FB Mike Karney was released by the Saints March 6. They contacted his agent the next day, and three days later a contract was signed. That's notable since Karney was on his way to the rehearsal dinner for his wedding in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., when the Saints called to say he would be released the next day, which was his wedding.

"I had no bitterness," he said. "That's the business, unfortunately, but here I am. It's all about getting another opportunity and one door closes and another one opens and I'm excited about this opportunity. It's just the way the business is."

Said Spagnuolo, "(We) feel real fortunate that Mike was available to us. He's exactly what we were looking for in a fullback. It only took me five minutes in meeting him to realize he was exactly the kind of guy that we wanted. He's a committed football player, classy and he's full of character and a team guy."

Karney had a feeling early in the offseason the Saints would be moving in a different direction from a bruising-type fullback. That's what happened when New Orleans signed Heath Evans and Karney remembered a conversation with his wife Kim after he saw that the Rams had hired Spagnuolo.

Said Karney, "I told my wife, 'Keep an eye on St. Louis. They are going to be looking for a fullback.' It's really a blessing in disguise what happened in New Orleans, because now I can do what I love to do. The Saints were moving away from that. This is a perfect fit.

"I know what my position is all about; I know what it stands for. I know what my approach is, my mindset is and I know I'm here to block and get it done for our offense in any way, shape or form. That's run blocking, that's picking up blitzes, that's whatever that may be. That's what I'm here to do."

When Karney was introduced at a press conference, Spagnuolo noted that he was spending his honeymoon in St. Louis. That was no joke. It turns out the honeymoon was set to begin March 13, a week after their wedding, but it's been postponed so he could be with his teammates on the first day of the offseason conditioning program that begins March 16.

"This is a new start, with new people to meet," he said, still smiling. "It's time to get off on the right foot and get to work."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's the Golden Corral, the one in (Centerville), Georgia. So, if you're ever in Georgia, give me a call and let me know. All-you-can-eat, good southern comfort food." -- S James Butler, on the restaurant he's a partner with Rams CB Tye Hill.