Former Quaker O. line standout signed by Rams

On June 19th, the Rams signed former Penn linemen Ben Noll, a St. Louis native, to a one year free agent contract.

Concerns over starting right tackle Kyle Turley's recent back surgery compelled the Rams to search for a suitable backup.

Noll's name came up as a possible reserve. The self-proclaimed "guy who kept 40th Street McDonalds afloat" is about to get the chance of a lifetime.

"It's a great opportunity, a chance to challenge myself at the next level," Noll said. "It's my hometown, so it's a good fit. A lot of the people who've supported me in my earlier years will see their hard work realized."

Football has been in Noll's blood for years, just like McDonalds' burgers. He's been playing since seventh grade, then at a comparably diminutive 5'10 180.

"I wasn't going to back down to anybody." Noll said.

He continued into high school, playing right guard at St. Louis Priory. Back then he was also a champion, receiving two-time all-metro honors, named all-state in '99 and winning the championship in his final year.

Penn's merits made his college choice an easy one: "Division I athletics plus an Ivy League degree is a formula for success," Noll said.

Most Penn students, however, would recognize Noll as a Smokey Joe's bouncer.

Off the field, he's the friendly giant saying to a 5'6 150 student, "That'll be $2, big man."

On the field, Noll is fiercely competitive. Opponents can read the determination in his steely blue eyes even before they feel the wind being knocked out of them.

Of this intensity, Noll says, "There's no greater sensation than being able to look over at your opponent and see them completely demoralized."

At Penn, Noll had many opportunities to demoralize opponents.

He started for two years at right tackle. Right tackle on a nearly impenetrable offensive line, which allowed only 12 sacks, the fewest in the Ivies.

Noll was a two time All-League selection. Both those years, Penn won the Ivy League championship.

In total, Penn went an impressive 34-5 in Noll's four years, as well as 19-0 at home.

Standing 6'5" and weighing in around 320 pounds, Noll is a little heavier than the average right tackle.

His main handicap is time. It's the years following college when most O-linemen develop into "quarterback lifesavers."

Noll left what would be his last semester at Penn in order to negate some of that time. He has been conditioning extensively since the season ended.

Noll has been invited to August camp in Macomb, Illinois - the Rams' summer home.

The camp features a grueling two practice a day schedule with the nation's premiere athletes.

Noll has looked up to these men for a long time. "They're definitely guys I've emulated, Noll says. "I'm from [St. Louis], so I've been watching them for years."

Andy King and Joel Hoffman will also be there fighting for the right to backup Kyle Turley.

King has been with the Rams practice squad since October 2002. Hoffman, like Noll, is a rookie.

Division IAA is not the NFL. Noll is realistic and understands that there's a good possibility he won't make the team.

If so, Noll, like many Penn athletes, is lucky. He will have a top-notch degree to fall back on - a Wharton degree to be precise.

What will Noll do should he make the Rams, or even the practice squad? Noll jokes, " I'll have to start buying double cheeseburgers."

Let's hope they still have the dollar menu in Saint Louis.

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