Turf Show Times, a St. Louis Rams community

"I’ve got a lot of respect for Michael as a player," Spags said. "Everything I’ve heard out of Philadelphia is kind of good. We haven’t gone down that road in our process yet. I think he’s a terrific player."

They came from all over, many of them leaving their teams and skipping practice, to be at Lincoln Financial Field for Friday’s memorial service honoring Jim Johnson. Steve Spagnuolo, head coach of the St. Louis Rams, John Harbaugh, head coach of the Baltimore Ravens and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell were among the 300 guests in attendance.

"My wife Maria and I are deeply saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a dear friend and a special person. Our prayers and thoughts go out to his wife Vicki and their family. Jim meant the world to me, both personally and professionally. I am very blessed to have had the privilege to work for him and with him. The NFL has lost a good man."

New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is the new head coach of the St. Louis Rams.

Spagnuolo is signed, sealed and delivered, having accepted a four-year deal worth just under $12 million.

Jim Haslett has been informed he will not be the Rams’ head coach in 2009.

There were also indications that the Rams might be making additional "cuts" in their coaching field as they zero in on their next head coach.

'Spags' immediately transformed a soft, ineffective defense into a dominant, quarterback-eating machine that helped the Giants win a Super Bowl...I think Spags will have John Fox-like success wherever he goes. Fox was Jim Fassel's defensive guru in New York before becoming head coach in Carolina.