In what seems like a neverending news cycle of free agent additions, the Rams added one more piece to the defensive puzzle Friday when they brought on linebacker Ben Leber.
Leber officially signed a one-year deal with the Rams on Friday after a wild two weeks in which he visited division-rival Seattle one day and was poised to sign in St. Louis the next.
Ultimately, Leber decided on the Rams, where he will come in and compete for a starting job at one of the outside spots right away. Leber is the 12th free agent the team has signed in this flurry of free agent activity and the third linebacker added after the team signed 
“It’s the same kind of system,” Leber said. “I think just being from the Midwest, I am kind of a Midwest guy, it was very appealing to me. It’s the same sort of deal I have been used to as far as defensive scheme goes. I like what they have going on here so for me it was a great fit.”
Leber comes to the Rams with nine years of NFL experience, most of it as a starter at one of the two outside linebacker positions.
After four seasons in San Diego, where he earned a reputation for his aggressive, cerebral style, Leber hit the open market and went to the Vikings, where he’s been a mainstay for the past five years.
Equally adept at coverage and in run support, Leber has played and performed well at the strong side and weakside linebacker spots.
For his career, Leber has racked up 376 tackles, 24 sacks, five interceptions, 13 forced fumbles and 11 fumble recoveries in 110 starts.
It’s yet to be determined where Leber will work in but with Poppinga and Na’il Diggs working on the strong side, it’s likely he’ll get a shot on the weak side competing with Diles,
Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said Friday that Leber is a player he’s had an eye on for a while.
“I can remember in ’06 when he was a free agent from San Diego and I was coaching the linebackers in Philadelphia, we tried like heck to get him and he went to Minnesota,” Spagnuolo said. “I have always kind of admired the way he plays. He’s coming from a good system in Minnesota so hopefully he’ll be able to play good football for us.”
To make room for Leber, the Rams released David Vobora, the former Mr. Irrelevant who spent three seasons with the team.
