FA OL (Barksdale, Blalock, Wisniewski, etc) Updates?

[paceram]

I know I am getting desperate for any Rams news I can get during this offseason (Thank goodness the Draft is coming up soon!) but I would think that the Rams would be making some kind of FA OL signing in the coming days (Hopefully, before the Draft so they can have some flexibility with who they target). It really doesn't sound like to me that Wisniewski is much of a possibility and I don't know if Blalock is either (I hope he is!) but I really thought the Rams would have re-signed Barksdale (One LONG Honeymoon!) by now. Does anyone have any news and/or rumors (I will even be happy to get some rumors during this slow time!) on any other FA offensive linemen the Rams might be interested in?

 

[SierraRam]

I am getting desperate for any Rams news

I hear ya!! There's nothing on Barksdale; Blaylock has been quiet since mid-march; Wisniewski is visiting the Patriots and Jags...

You've continually beat this drum @paceram - and I appreciate it! Hopefully, somebody knows something, and we finally fill a need on the OL. Otherwise, we better have one hell of an OL draft!

I want this guy! He'll start at C or G. Then we can get a weapon at #10 or trade back yadda, yadda, yadda...

 

[paceram]

I hear ya!! There's nothing on Barksdale; Blaylock has been quiet since mid-march; Wisniewski is visiting the Patriots and Jags...

You've continually beat this drum @paceram - and I appreciate it! Hopefully, somebody knows something, and we finally fill a need on the OL. Otherwise, we better have one hell of an OL draft!

I want this guy! He'll start at C or G. Then we can get a weapon at #10 or trade back yadda, yadda, yadda...

I would be thrilled to see the Rams get Wisniewski but I am not very optimistic (especially, I after I read he is going to visit or has already visited the Patriots!) but who knows maybe the Rams have a trick up their sleeve! But, I am also guessing that it might be difficult fitting Wisniewski in their salary cap (especially, if they do re-sign Barksdale) unless he accepts less than I think he will or the Rams free up some cap space. I will be one Happy Rams Fan if the Rams can sign two of these players (Barksdale, Wisniewski, Blalock)!

 

[den-the-coach]

I want Blalock mostly because that would be an experience guard next to Robinson and would enable the Rams to move Saffold back to RG, that IMO, is his best position. However, I have a feeling Rams going heavy on offensive lineman come draft day.

 

[brokeu91]

I want Blalock mostly because that would be an experience guard next to Robinson and would enable the Rams to move Saffold back to RG, that IMO, is his best position. However, I have a feeling Rams going heavy on offensive lineman come draft day.

I agree. Saffold is best at RG where he was opening up huge holes. If we can sign Blalock and resign Barksdale that could set our Oline up and then we really can draft BPA

 

[Corbin]

I want Blalock mostly because that would be an experience guard next to Robinson and would enable the Rams to move Saffold back to RG, that IMO, is his best position. However, I have a feeling Rams going heavy on offensive lineman come draft day.

I wholeheartedly concur. I don't see us signing a FA unless the numbers are in our favor but I seriously wouldn't put it past Snisher to go with a real weapon at #10 or a solid blocker and then go heavy OL. This is the draft out of any to go deep on OL and we have 3 holes to feel so I can defiantly see this happen.

 

[Corbin]

I want Blalock mostly because that would be an experience guard next to Robinson and would enable the Rams to move Saffold back to RG, that IMO, is his best position. However, I have a feeling Rams going heavy on offensive lineman come draft day.

I agree. Saffold is best at RG where he was opening up huge holes. If we can sign Blalock and resign Barksdale that could set our Oline up and then we really can draft BPA

I agree on Saffold to the RG! He was blowing guys up!

What's the deal with Blalock? I haven't heard anything from his camp. Not signing? Demands? Numbers? Is he on vacation to? lol

 

[paceram]

I want Blalock mostly because that would be an experience guard next to Robinson and would enable the Rams to move Saffold back to RG, that IMO, is his best position. However, I have a feeling Rams going heavy on offensive lineman come draft day.

I would think if the Rams are going to go heavy on the OL in the draft that would be another good reason for them to get a quality experienced OG like Blalock to help give the young players some more leadership.

 

[DLux27]

See I honestly think the rams only need to sign 1 of the 3 And really I rather it be Weis or Blalock. I think the rams have confidence on a center from within the organization (Jones or Rhaney). If that is the case I much prefer to draft a RT (Peat since he can slide to LT as well) that way we have bookends and center and Saffold grow together for acouple years. I'm sick of the FA o line. Also I rather just get 1 plus a rookie since there will be alot of people to resign next year so why tie up the money on junk again (Looking at you Long and Wells). Just my opinion since everyone on here wants 2 of the 3. Also by just signin a vet FA LG it's put a vet G next to our 2 young tackles.

 

[den-the-coach]

I would think if the Rams are going to go heavy on the OL in the draft that would be another good reason for them to get a quality experienced OG like Blalock to help give the young players some more leadership.

I concur and you're preaching to the choir, but the Rams might want to take a wait and see approach. I realize the fear is they will lose out on some guys, but none of them have signed yet so all of us will have to be patient, which is not easy being a Ram fan.

 

[paceram]

See I honestly think the rams only need to sign 1 of the 3 And really I rather it be Weis or Blalock. I think the rams have confidence on a center from within the organization (Jones or Rhaney). If that is the case I much prefer to draft a RT (Peat since he can slide to LT as well) that way we have bookends and center and Saffold grow together for acouple years. I'm sick of the FA o line. Also I rather just get 1 plus a rookie since there will be alot of people to resign next year so why tie up the money on junk again (Looking at you Long and Wells). Just my opinion since everyone on here wants 2 of the 3. Also by just signin a vet FA LG it's put a vet G next to our 2 young tackles.

I certainly hope you are right about Jones and/or Rhaney! I would love to see one of them win the starting Center position which I personally think Jones can do IF he can stay healthy and I will admit that I know nothing about Rhaney except for what I read here on ROD! At this point I would be happy with either Scherff or Peat (For some reason I am just not as thrilled with La'el Collins as most fans) as the Rams top pick IF both Cooper and White have already been selected.

 

[Merlin]

The fact that Wisniewski hasn't visited the Rams tells us he's unlikely. I'm guessing his agent is telling teams "if you aren't willing to consider $xx million per year we aren't going to visit" and the Rams passed. Which is fine. Overpaying for FA offensive linemen has never worked for us, last one I can remember that worked out was Timmerman who was a much more productive and skilled product than any of these clowns.

Re: Blalock... I am tired of old FA additions on the OL who are on their last contract. Really hope they pass on him unless it's very affordable. So I suppose he is still possible.

Barks as I have said before is a guy I think the Rams downgraded as a future option after they crunched the season's film. Sure, they'll take him back for their price, but they're not gonna pay him starter money because he's probably not gonna be a starter for them. He'd be valuable as insurance against the rookie RT they draft taking more time to adjust than they expect, and as a swing OT/OG option, and that's what the Rams are offering him money-wise IMO.

I believe the Rams have realized that they need to draft the position plain and simple. This is going to be an OL heavy draft no way around it and it won't matter who they sign in FA it's still gonna go that way.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Read somewhere that Blalock is waiting till after the draft. Interesting. I think if Wis were going to take a visit, he would have. I'd be shocked if that ship hasn't sailed. I would not be shocked if right before the draft, we sign Barksdale to a reasonable contract. Unlike Blalock who may have reasons as a veteran to wait things out until after the draft (fit, taking time off offseason programs, etc...), the incentive for Barksdale to sign before draft is higher. There's probably no rush to do anything because everything's been set - I'm pretty sure we have a contract on the table and as long as he signs before the draft there's not a ton of risk of him not enjoying his honeymoon and doing other things.

TL;DR: Barksdale will prob sign with us shortly before the draft. Blalock could be in play after draft. Wiz will not be a Ram.

 

[Amitar]

The Rams had $23 Mil in cap space. Money should not have been an issue for signing OL. The Rams need OL, not another two TE's. Did the Rams even try to get Orlando Franklin? If no then why not? Not talking to Wis? This is getting absurd.

 

[OC_Ram]

I bet they plan to start Jones at center.

 

[Corbin]

I bet they plan to start Jones at center.

I'm starting to think this is the case more and more unless a nice prospect falls into THIER lap in the draft