Rams release receiver Wilkins after one season

ST. LOUIS -- A year ago, the St. Louis Rams thought Terrence Wilkins was a replacement for Az Zahir-Hakim, who left as a free agent for Detroit. A full season and five catches later, Wilkins was released.

The Rams also announced Tuesday the release of backup quarterback Scott Covington and Joe Cooper, a free agent linebacker out of Ohio State signed in January.

Wilkins was acquired in April 2002 in a sign-and-trade deal with the Indianapolis Colts, and was expected to be the Rams' No. 3 receiver behind Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt.

But Wilkins struggled to pick up coach Mike Martz's complicated system and caught just five passes for 31 yards. He was more effective as a kick returner, averaging 22.9 yards on 47 kickoff returns and 9.7 yards on 25 punt returns.

He spent the last three games on the bench after getting into a sideline argument with Martz at Kansas City on Dec. 8. Still, Martz told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he wanted to keep Wilkins around to see what he could do during the offseason.

But the Rams have been impressed with rookie wide receivers Kevin Curtis and Shaun McDonald in the team's offseason program.

"The young receivers have picked everything up," Martz said. "They've been very impressive, and Terrence's situation is obviously one of those things that didn't work out."

Wilkins was due to earn $530,000 this season. By releasing him after June 1, the team will temporarily enjoy a salary cap savings of $750,000. Wilkins' original deal with the Rams was for $4.61 million over four years, with a $1.5 million signing bonus.

Covington started one game, the season finale against San Francisco, but was pulled early after completing just two of five passes. His release means that former Missouri quarterback Kirk Farmer, an undrafted free agent, is currently No. 3 on the depth chart behind Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger. However, the Rams on Monday agreed to terms with quarterback Greg Zolman out of Vanderbilt, who will compete for the third-string job.

The Rams also agreed to terms with kicker Owen Pochman, a former Brigham Young player who has spent time with New England, the Giants and Packers; and rookie linebacker Jason McWilliams out of Western Illinois University.