Barwin chose Rams for reunion with Phillips

Connor Barwin had several options for the next stop in his career after he couldn’t work out a way to stay in Philadelphia. He decided to make a fresh start on the West Coast with an old mentor.

LOS ANGELES >> Connor Barwin had several options for the next stop in his NFL career after he couldn’t work out a way to stay with the Philadelphia Eagles.

He decided to make a fresh start on the West Coast with an old mentor.

Barwin signed with the Los Angeles Rams last week, agreeing to a one-year-deal. The move reunites him with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, whose signature 3-4 defense set up Barwin to become a star with the Houston Texans.

“Wade did a lot for me in the two years I was with Houston,” Barwin said Wednesday in a phone interview. “He taught me so much about being a pro, enjoying being around the game every single day, and he really elevated my game as a pass rusher.”

Barwin will be an outside linebacker in Phillips’ 3-4 scheme after serving as an end last year with the Eagles. Those position names are really just semantics, because Barwin expects to be a down lineman on about 60 percent of the Rams’ defensive snaps.

The Rams’ defense was above-average last season under coordinator Gregg Williams, and Phillips will have most of that personnel at his disposal as he shapes the group into a 3-4 unit. Barwin can’t wait to get started next month.

“This is as good as they get in LA,” Barwin said. “I’m excited to be a part of that group and make the group even better.”