Sims-Walker tries to catch on with Rams

~ The newly signed free-agent receiver hauled in a TD during Friday's game against the Chiefs

ST. LOUIS -- As far as tributes to a father go, St. Louis wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker went all out.

In August 2009, Mike Walker legally changed his name to Mike Sims-Walker to honor his father, Mike Sims, who died a year earlier from colon cancer.

"He just passed away out of the blue," Sims-Walker said. "That was very devastating for me. He was my everything, my best friend. He is who I am today."

Sims-Walker founded the Mike Sims-Walker Foundation in 2010 to help provide scholarships for students in his hometown of Orlando, Fla. He also speaks out about the awareness of colon cancer and the importance of checkups.

Rams receiver Mike Sims-Walker catches a pass for a 26-yard gain during the recent preseason game against the Titans. (Jeff Curry Associated Press)

Sims-Walker, 26, dedicated his life to his father. And his career began to flourish right after the name change.

Sims-Walker, 6 foot 2 and 212 pounds, was signed by St. Louis as a free agent last month and has moved toward the top of the crowded mix at wide receiver. Sims-Walker caught a 6-yard touchdown pass on the first drive Friday in the Rams' 14-10 win at Kansas City.

A big-play threat with a nose for the end zone, Sims-Walker has caught two passes for 26 yards in helping the Rams to a 3-0 record going into the final exhibition game Thursday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Sims-Walker built an immediate rapport with quarterback Sam Bradford. After a two-hour practice Monday, Sims-Walker stayed out on the field to catch more passes from Bradford, a common occurrence during training camp.

"The quarterback is comfortable with him, and I think that's important for a wide receiver," Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said. "He's really grasped the playbook."

St. Louis Rams wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker (10) celebrates a touchdown with offensive tackle Rodger Saffold (76) and tight end Ben Guidugli (41) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, in Kansas City, Mo.. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Sims-Walker was a standout receiver at Central Florida and was chosen by Jacksonville in the third round of the 2007 draft. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in the final exhibition game of his rookie campaign and caught just 16 passes for 217 yards in 2008.

He put together a breakout year catching 63 passes for 869 yards -- both team highs -- after his name change in 2009. He had 43 catches for 562 yards and seven TDs last season.

Jacksonville did not offer Sims-Walker a contract for this season and he looked at several teams before choosing the Rams, who gave him a one-year deal that could reach $3.7 million with incentives.

Sims-Walker is working hard to prove he belongs in St. Louis.

"We're a little over a week from the real deal," he said. "It's critical right now. We've got to buckle down."

The exhibition game against his former team also carries some importance. Sims-Walker remains upset that the Jaguars did not try to re-sign him. He said he doesn't carry a chip on his shoulder, rather "a crack. It's bigger."

Noteworthy

* St. Louis released veteran linebacker Na'il Diggs on Monday. Diggs, a 12-year veteran, started 12 games and made 37 tackles last season.