Rams Free Agent frenzy

[Retroram52]

IDK RamCub. The leverage for Barnes you are referring to didn't help Barnes a great deal.

 

[RamCub]

We'll probably offer him more in incentives to close the deal ala Barnes - games started, snaps played, etc.

 

[Retroram52]

The Rams signed some players on Monday that were considered loose ends from the transactions perspective. These were RFA and Exclusive Rights guys that were still out there. The only significant player still flopping in the wind is Barksdale. Here's the link:
St. Louis Rams' restricted free agents sign one-year deals - St. Louis Rams Blog - ESPN

 

[chy1127]

The Rams signed some players on Monday that were considered loose ends from the transactions perspective. These were RFA and Exclusive Rights guys that were still out there. The only significant player still flopping in the wind is Barksdale. Here's the link:
St. Louis Rams' restricted free agents sign one-year deals - St. Louis Rams Blog - ESPN

I like Harkey. He is a beast. McLeod played better last year and probably starts again. Washington is O Line for which we need depth. Nothing major but good to have back.

 

[Retroram52]

Yea Chy, Washington has added some weight and has been moved to tackle. He'll definitely back-up GRob and some seem to think that he may win the RT position outright especially if Barksdale disappears.

 

[Retroram52]

The Rams picked up the fifth-year option on Brockers so he's under contract through the 2016 season. They did not do the same with Barron though.

 

[Retroram52]

Apparently Round 2 of the FA period begins tomorrow. Looks like Joe Barksdale has joined this group of FA's.
Here is the link.
Tuesday could trigger another wave of free agency | ProFootballTalk

 

[LongtimeRamsFan42]

Apparently Round 2 of the FA period begins tomorrow. Looks like Joe Barksdale has joined this group of FA's.
Here is the link.
Tuesday could trigger another wave of free agency | ProFootballTalk

You know there's slim pickings when Joe Barksdale is one of the "marquee" names listed...

 

[Retroram52]

Well obviously LTRF, these guys' careers are pretty much done. Barksdale took himself out of the mix and when we selected Havenstein, his fate was sealed as far a future with the Rams was concerned. Nope, Snisher addressed the O-line with four nasty boxcars and Barksdale is on the outside looking in.

 

[shopson67]

Well obviously LTRF, these guys' careers are pretty much done. Barksdale took himself out of the mix and when we selected Havenstein, his fate was sealed as far a future with the Rams was concerned. Nope, Snisher addressed the O-line with four nasty boxcars and Barksdale is on the outside looking in.

Yeah, I can't see Barksdale coming back with 3 of the 4 new guys with experience at RT. Bringing in Blalock would make more sense right now if they choose to add a vet.

 

[Retroram52]

Nope, Shopson, after the Wells, Long, and Joseph experiments all basically failed, the extent of someone with experience the Rams are going to engage to sign is Reynolds, whom they have already signed. Guys like Washington and others on the practice squad that may not make the roster this year and Barksdale are a thing of the past. I think the Rams are done with also-ran types like Barksdale and they have taken the next step by bringing in young talent like the four they drafted.

 

[RamsFan88]

Anyone else see that they are using Wichmann at center in rookie mini-camp so far? A 6-6 320 pound center wouldn't be too shabby.

 

[shopson67]

Anyone else see that they are using Wichmann at center in rookie mini-camp so far? A 6-6 320 pound center wouldn't be too shabby.

Except that you're going to need a very tall QB to see down the field. Interior linemen aren't typically that tall. Tough to get leverage to drive block when you're that tall as a result as well.

 

[LongtimeRamsFan42]

Except that you're going to need a very tall QB to see down the field. Interior linemen aren't typically that tall. Tough to get leverage to drive block when you're that tall as a result as well.

Good thing we have 2 QB's who are over 6'5

 

[shopson67]

Good thing we have 2 QB's who are over 6'5

Yep, but the interior running game could suffer as it's tougher to get leverage to move the DTs.

 

[RamsFan88]

Wichmann is pretty good at getting low though. With Foles and Mannion being tall, seeing the field shouldn't be an issue for them. I doubt Wichmann can come in and take the starting center job, but he's an intriguing swing guy on the inside.

 

[RamCub]

The big guys just need to turn the DL and Gurley and Mason will break through.

 

[Retroram52]

I think that is a great move working Wichmann at center, You leave Saffold and GRob in place, you line up Brown next to Havenstein and my-oh-my we have one helluva massive Oline. With the magic of Paul Boudreau, look out the rest of the NFC West at least.

 

[shopson67]

I think that is a great move working Wichmann at center, You leave Saffold and GRob in place, you line up Brown next to Havenstein and my-oh-my we have one helluva massive Oline. With the magic of Paul Boudreau, look out the rest of the NFC West at least.

Rams better be happy with Foles and Mannion then, as it's not easy to find a 6'6 QB in most drafts.

 

[bluepigpen]

One thing that is always brought up is the QB getting away from the rush. Guys like Wilson are special especially when he looks downfield versus just run. I look at the best way to get away from the rush is to have a Oline that keeps the rush at bay. Big Ben for years has stayed in the pocket, Manning doesn't scramble, Brady doesn't take off, what they do is get ride of the ball up field away from defenders if there is a need. We all look at the numbers, like 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, those numbers are the 40 yard dashes of DEs, LBs and safeties, we don't need a QB taking off afraid of the rush. The Rams need a guy that goes through his procession quickly, makes his call and delivers the ball on target and when it isn't there doesn't duck for the sack or throw into coverage. I believe Fisher and Snead took that approach when they drafted the beef in the draft. Getting rid of Bradford and bringing in Foles accomplished 3 huge things for the Rams. One was the salary cap issue and cost of the year left on his contract. (This takes nothing away from what Bradford can or can't do for the Eagles). Two that the health of Bradford had set the franchise back for the last 3 seasons (at least) and the fact that he had the deer in the headlight look that had him duck or just take the sack on his terms. (This along with the OC calling run, run, pass made our punter All Pro) Third and most important Fisher and Snead had to draft the next generation QB for the club. Whether Mannion will be the guy Big Ben is a question time can only tell but the fact that the beef was the issue in the draft tells me that the Rams look to run now and be a team later that will do both very well. That is my take. This year might not be the year but time will be another matter and I think this was the best draft for the future I've seen in years (not because of a certain player but for yearly results long term).