Rams hire former Bengals assistant Roberts for special teams

MIAMI -- The St. Louis Rams have hired former Bengals assistant coach Al Roberts as their special teams coach.

Roberts and Rams coach Scott Linehan coached together at the University of Washington in 1996, the year before the Bengals hired Roberts and drafted former Washington tailback Corey Dillon.

"I learned more about special teams in my one year with Al than in all of my other years I was a coach," Linehan said today. "His passion for the sport is second to none."

Roberts' stint with the Bengals was far from successful. He was fired after the 2002 season, when the Bengals allowed four special teams touchdowns. Especially damaging was the Carolina game, when Bengals president wanted to see rookie Travis Dorsch punt, and the Panthers' Steve Smith returned two line-drive Dorsch punts for touchdowns.

"I'm excited to be working for Scott Linehan," said Roberts, who has tried to get back into the NFL since his firing.

He replaces Bob Ligashesky. Roberts, 61, has his work cut out for him. The Rams have allowed 20 special teams touchdowns since Dick Vermeil departed following the Super Bowl-winning 1999 season.