The St. Louis Rams surprised more than a few when they signed free agent center Scott Wells. Many believed the Nashville native would end up with the Titans, the team he visited on Wednesday of last week, or return to the Packers, the team that drafted him in 2004. Ultimately, it was another Nashville connection that brought him to the St. Louis Rams: head coach Jeff Fisher.
"I followed Jeff Fisher since high school," Wells said on a Monday afternoon conference call. Wells was still in high school when St. Louis Rams beat Fisher's Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV.
The Titans were seen as a front runner for Wells, according to a report in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, based on his roots there. Wells even referenced proximity to his roots as a "big factor" in making his decision, but the chance to play for head coach Jeff Fisher proved to be the deciding factor.
"Everyone had positive things to say about [Fisher]," Wells revealed. "None of the player I spoke with had a negative thing to say."
Wells compromised with the five-hour drive between St. Louis and Nashville.
Quarterback Sam Bradford was quick to welcome his new center. The two exchanged introductory text messages following Wells' signing.
When Fisher was first introduced as the Rams new head coach, he immediately cited better protection as the top priority for getting Bradford's career back on track. Fisher and the Rams expect the addition of Wells to help address that issue.
"I like being a part of building something," Wells said. "Coach Fisher has brought in the right coaches to build something there and he's got an outstanding quarterback in Sam [Bradford]. I'm just excited about where it's going. It doesn't matter where the team has been in the past."