Barksdale to hit open market next week
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_80b28dc6-d05b-5f73-a3e6-358fe9ef63d9.html
Joe Barksdale, the Rams’ starting right tackle for the past two seasons, has one foot out the door. Barksdale has decided to test the market Tuesday, the first day of the free agency period, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
The sides are simply too far apart in terms of what the Rams are offering and what the expectations are in the Barksdale camp. Of course, the Rams have more than three days to come up with something that might change Barksdale’s mind, but that appears unlikely.
In addition, outside teams can contact and negotiate with Barksdale starting Saturday as the three-day “legal tampering” window opens. Barksdale had a couple of tough games last season, but losing him would be a blow for the Rams, who already have needs at guard and possibly center on the offensive line.
Barksdale is coming free at a time when there’s a very thin crop at offensive tackle. Green Bay’s Bryan Bulaga is generally considered the best tackle in this year’s free-agent class. Denver’s Orlando Franklin would be No. 2, although he switched to left guard in 2014 after being the Broncos’ starting right tackle for three seasons.
When it comes to possibly replacing Barksdale, the options are limited on the current Rams roster. Jake Long, recovering from a second knee injury in the span of 10 months, could move to right tackle. But it’s not even certain he’ll be on the roster much longer because of a contract clause that guarantees $4 million in base salary if he’s on the roster the fifth day of the league year (March 14).
The current roster also includes offensive tackle Steven Baker, who was on the Rams’ practice squad for the last nine games of the 2014 season. Rodger Saffold has played right tackle in the past, but the coaching staff feels his best position is guard, followed by left tackle.
In other developments, the Rams have sent out one-year tender offers to three of their four restricted free agents.
Quarterback Austin Davis and fullback and tight end Cory Harkey were tendered at the minimum level of $1.5 million. Safety Rodney McLeod was tendered at a second-round level of $2.4 million.
Restricted free agents are players with three years experience and with expiring contracts. Because Davis and Harkey were undrafted players, the Rams would get matching rights if either player got outside offers, but no draft pick compensation if they chose not to match any offer.
They would get a second-round draft pick as compensation on McLeod if they chose not to match an outside offer on him.
The Rams did not make a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Tim Barnes, a center and guard from the University of Missouri. The Rams may try to re-sign him for a lower rate once the free agency period begins.
Also, special teams core player Chase Reynolds and offensive lineman Brandon Washington received one-year tenders offers as exclusive rights free agents (players with less than three years experience).