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Rams have free-agent work to do on defensive line
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...-have-free-agent-work-to-do-on-defensive-line
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The free-agent market is scheduled to open March 9 and teams may begin negotiations with those poised to hit the market beginning March 7. We'll count down to that with a position-by-position look at what the Los Angeles Rams have in place, who is set to hit the market, what they might need and who might fit the bill.
Position: Defensive line
Under contract: Robert Quinn, Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Matt Longacre, Ethan Westbrooks, Doug Worthington, Louis Trinca-Pasat.
Pending free agents: Chris Long (released), William Hayes, Eugene Sims, Nick Fairley.
COMINGS AND GOINGS
What's needed: The defensive line has been this team's focus for most of the Jeff Fisher regime. The Rams have spent plenty of draft picks and large sums of money to make that group one of the best in the league. Now they find themselves in something of a transitional period with their front four. They already said goodbye to Long and they have three key pieces to their defensive line rotation set to become unrestricted free agents in Hayes, Sims and Fairley. From that trio, Hayes would appear to be the primary target as a likely replacement for Long. Hayes filled that role more than capably over the past two seasons with Long battling injuries. Sims also has proved a reliable fill-in, stepping in for Quinn last year and working in a rotation for most of his career. Fairley played well in his one season with the Rams as the primary backup to Donald and Brockers. Longacre, Westbrooks and Trinca-Pasat also have flashed potential as long-term depth. All told, the Rams need a starter to replace Long and some bodies for depth behind the front four.
Possible fits: There's no shortage of big names set to hit the market on the defensive line, led by Denver's Malik Jackson, who figures to strike it rich in the opening hours of the market. Also at end, the New York Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul and Robert Ayers, Miami's Derrick Shelby, Carolina's Charles Johnson and Buffalo's Mario Williams are all poised to see what's out there. Among defensive tackles, the group is solid as well with names like Kansas City's Jaye Howard, the New York Jets' Damon Harrison, San Francisco's Ian Williams and Washington's Terrance Knighton available. For the Rams, keeping Hayes is the first and most important domino. He and Fisher are close and it would be a surprise if he landed with any other team. Sims also would like to remain a Ram and likely won't cost that much to bring back. If the Rams do somehow miss on Hayes, they could be active in pursuing a free agent. If they keep Hayes, don't be surprised if they also start planning for the future behind him in the draft. As for the interior, the Rams like the potential of Trinca-Pasat and Westbrooks (who can play outside as well) but probably need an option who can come in and play reliably right away. Bringing Fairley back isn't out of the question, though he's expected to get a bigger deal than the Rams can offer. If Fairley departs, don't be surprised if the Rams seek a similar player to Fairley circa 2015. Which is to say an experienced tackle with something to prove on a relatively cheap one-year deal. Either way, look for the Rams to be active in retaining and tweaking their defensive line this offseason.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...-have-free-agent-work-to-do-on-defensive-line
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The free-agent market is scheduled to open March 9 and teams may begin negotiations with those poised to hit the market beginning March 7. We'll count down to that with a position-by-position look at what the Los Angeles Rams have in place, who is set to hit the market, what they might need and who might fit the bill.
Position: Defensive line
Under contract: Robert Quinn, Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Matt Longacre, Ethan Westbrooks, Doug Worthington, Louis Trinca-Pasat.
Pending free agents: Chris Long (released), William Hayes, Eugene Sims, Nick Fairley.
COMINGS AND GOINGS
What's needed: The defensive line has been this team's focus for most of the Jeff Fisher regime. The Rams have spent plenty of draft picks and large sums of money to make that group one of the best in the league. Now they find themselves in something of a transitional period with their front four. They already said goodbye to Long and they have three key pieces to their defensive line rotation set to become unrestricted free agents in Hayes, Sims and Fairley. From that trio, Hayes would appear to be the primary target as a likely replacement for Long. Hayes filled that role more than capably over the past two seasons with Long battling injuries. Sims also has proved a reliable fill-in, stepping in for Quinn last year and working in a rotation for most of his career. Fairley played well in his one season with the Rams as the primary backup to Donald and Brockers. Longacre, Westbrooks and Trinca-Pasat also have flashed potential as long-term depth. All told, the Rams need a starter to replace Long and some bodies for depth behind the front four.
Possible fits: There's no shortage of big names set to hit the market on the defensive line, led by Denver's Malik Jackson, who figures to strike it rich in the opening hours of the market. Also at end, the New York Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul and Robert Ayers, Miami's Derrick Shelby, Carolina's Charles Johnson and Buffalo's Mario Williams are all poised to see what's out there. Among defensive tackles, the group is solid as well with names like Kansas City's Jaye Howard, the New York Jets' Damon Harrison, San Francisco's Ian Williams and Washington's Terrance Knighton available. For the Rams, keeping Hayes is the first and most important domino. He and Fisher are close and it would be a surprise if he landed with any other team. Sims also would like to remain a Ram and likely won't cost that much to bring back. If the Rams do somehow miss on Hayes, they could be active in pursuing a free agent. If they keep Hayes, don't be surprised if they also start planning for the future behind him in the draft. As for the interior, the Rams like the potential of Trinca-Pasat and Westbrooks (who can play outside as well) but probably need an option who can come in and play reliably right away. Bringing Fairley back isn't out of the question, though he's expected to get a bigger deal than the Rams can offer. If Fairley departs, don't be surprised if the Rams seek a similar player to Fairley circa 2015. Which is to say an experienced tackle with something to prove on a relatively cheap one-year deal. Either way, look for the Rams to be active in retaining and tweaking their defensive line this offseason.
