Rams sign second linebacker in two days

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams added their second free-agent linebacker in two days on Thursday, signing former first-round pick Chris Claiborne to a three-year, $10.5 million contract.

Claiborne, a middle linebacker, joins outside linebacker Dexter Coakley in the Rams' restocked defense. Coakley got a five-year, $14.5 million deal.

The Rams need two new starters at linebacker because Pisa Tinoisamoa is being moved to safety and Tommy Polley is a free agent. Middle linebacker Robert Thomas, a first-round pick in 2002, is being moved to the outside.

Claiborne, 6-foot-3 and 259 pounds, was the ninth overall pick in the 1999 draft by the Lions out of Southern California. He visited the Rams after the 2002 season but ended up signing with the Vikings.

Claiborne missed four games last year with a calf injury.