Former MSU quarterback Jeff Smoker signed a three-year contract with the St. Louis Rams on July 27, the day before the Rams' training camp was set to begin.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but Smoker said he was happy with the deal and was glad to be finished with negotiations.

"It's kind of a relief to have the contract aspect finally complete," Smoker said.

"I've been working out all summer, training with the team, and now to be all set going into training camp feels good."

Smoker and third-round pick defensive end Anthony Hargrove, who signed July 28, were the last two of the Rams' seven draft picks to sign.

Smoker, the Rams' sixth round, 201st pick overall, is listed second on the Rams depth chart along with 17-year NFL veteran Chris Chandler at quarterback behind starter Marc Bulger.

"I just want to learn as much as I can this first year," Smoker said.

"I have two good quarterbacks in front of me, including Chris Chandler, the guy right in front of me, who can teach me a lot about the game."

Smoker, who led the Big Ten in passing and total offense as a senior, was the first MSU quarterback to throw for more than 3,000 yards last season with the West Coast offense brought in by MSU head coach John L. Smith - an offensive system similar to what the Rams run.

"This is an outstanding situation for Jeff in St. Louis," MSU quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier said. "It's a system that fits his game well while also having a depth chart that is favorable to him."

While Smoker acknowledges it's going to be difficult to pick up the Rams' system quickly, Nussmeier said Smoker's experience in learning MSU's new offense last year bodes well for the rookie.

"If you had told me at the beginning of last year that we would do the things we did on offense this year, I would have said no way," Nussmeier said. "It's a credit to Jeff and his ability to pick things up that we accomplished what we did."

Despite his record-breaking senior season, Smoker said he has spent the summer in St. Louis trying to work on little things to prepare himself for his first season in the pros.

"This summer I've been trying to get in good shape physically and mentally get caught up with the system here," Smoker said. "The game moves pretty fast and at training camp, they throw a lot at you, so I've just tried to prepare myself as best as I can."

Smoker said with the two experienced quarterbacks ahead of him in the system, he isn't expecting a huge amount of playing time right away. Instead, he said he wants to take advantage of the opportunities he gets.

"Heading into camp, my goal is just to do well in the preseason games," Smoker said. "I'm going to be seeing a lot of snaps in those games and I want to make the most of it."

Nussmeier said although Smoker might not play right away, he has some intangibles that along with learning behind Bulger and Chandler will help him to develop into a starting quarterback.

"Jeff has a sixth sense on the football field which allows him to make things happen," Nussmeier said.

"He has some skills that you just can't teach - the guy is a natural."