By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Tuesday, Apr. 29 2008

After adding 21 players — eight draft choices and 13 rookie free agents — to
the fold, the Rams have made a significant subtraction from their roster.

Tight end Dominique Byrd, a third-round draft pick in 2006 from USC, was
released Monday. Not only did Byrd fail to produce big numbers on the field,
but he had problems off the field that led to his dismissal from the team.

His release came on the heels of a draft in which Rams officials said character
played a major role in determining their selections.

Byrd, 24, is scheduled to go to trial Monday in St. Louis Circuit Court on
felony charges of assault and armed criminal action stemming from a nightclub
scuffle downtown in December 2006. In March 2007, he was charged with DUI in
California. In October, he pleaded no contest and received three years'
probation.

According to the NFL's personnel-conduct policy, Byrd could be facing a fine, a
suspension, or both.

Byrd, 6 feet 2 and 254 pounds, never started a game for the Rams. He saw action
in 14 games over two seasons, mostly on special teams. He caught six passes for
73 yards and one touchdown.

Coach Scott Linehan declined to comment on Byrd's release. Attempts to contact
Byrd were unsuccessful.

The Rams drafted two tight ends on the first day of the '06 draft, Colorado's
Joe Klopfenstein in the second round and Byrd in the third. The next day, they
traded incumbent starter Brandon Manumaleuna to San Diego.

Byrd contributed to two national championships at USC, where he had 77 catches
for 936 yards and four touchdowns.