Rams Weekend Review
The main story dominating all Rams news relates to the status of veteran wide-receiver Tory Holt. Holt publicly asked to be released late last week and now that Terrell Owens has signed with the Bills, he’d be considered the top WR Free Agent if he was cut. VanRam over at TurfShowTimes, as always has done an excellent job of rounding up all the Holt to ??? rumours. As I reported on Friday, the Bears might have an interest in the 7-time Pro Bowler, but so might the Ravens, Falcons, Cowboys and Eagles.
I’m sure the Management would much rather trade Holt than flat out release him. At this point, if we could snag a fourth or even a fifth-round pick I’d take it. better something that nothing right? It really does seem like St Louis and Holt will be parting ways before the season starts…
ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio says that the Rams are desperate to trade their other 7-time pro Bowler, Left Tackle Orlando Pace.
I can see us keeping Pace this year if a willing trade partner is not found. We are under the cap and not being linked with any other high-profile (expensive) free agents, so why lose him this year? He can act as a stop-gap for one more season, or help mentor a drafted OT… and be cut NEXT year (or traded!)
Former St Louis QB Gus Frerotte is being linked with a return to Rams Park in a backup role to Marc Bulger. he was a Ram in ‘06 and ‘07 and started three games in 2007. Last year he started 11 games after replacing the woeful Tavaris Jackson in Minnesota, recording a respectable 8-3 record, but also posted 15 interceptions, good enough for 4th most in the NFL.
We need a serviceable back-up to the oft-injured Bulger. Frerotte has recent starting experience and is a former Ram. He is an upgrade from Trent Green and as long as we don’t pay him silly money it seems a sensible enough decision.
In his regular blog postings on ESPN, the NFC West specialist Mike Sando has linked the Rams with released fullback Mike Karney. Bernie Miklasz (via Jim Thomas) let it be known on his Twitter feed that Karney will be visiting the Rams on Tuesday and Wednesday.
I best remember Karney for his epic three touchdown game against Dallas a few years back. He is about 255lbs and we do need a more traditional fullback to help open some holes for S-Jax. It wouldn’t hurt to add him to the roster and stop using the under-sized Brian Leonard as a lead blocker.
Sports writer Jim Thomas answered questions from fans over at STLToday this weekend. An edited version can be found here. Jim talks about possibly moving Alex Barron over to LT in a couple of circumstances… if we release Pace… if we draft a OT in round 2… and TurfShowTimes has penned a great article that compliments these thoughts by discussing the Rams O-Line in 2009.
After bringing in Jason Brown the Rams line will be instantly upgraded. If Incognito is going to start in 2009, the line will improve simply by him being less of a jackass and committing less penalties! (same goes for Barron!) I’ll reserve judgement on Greco and Schuening until they see some extended playing time! As long as we have depth for the inevitable injuries, we should see some improved plat I think.
After pimpin’ Tackle Box’s “Being Billy Devaney” series over on the superb Rams blog TurfShowTimes, another article is published. This time the wideouts are reviewed with all the usual depth of analysis that makes them such a great read. Hats off once again sir!
I agree with his assessment that the Rams need to pass on Michael Crabtree and look to someone like Robiskie, Britt, Nicks, and Iglesias. We need a possession guy to go over the middle. The taller the better.
I’ll be back later in the day with other news from around the league that may or may not have implications for the Rams…
2 years ago
