Jake Long return to Rams remains possible
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/16504/jake-long-return-to-rams-remains-possible
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Like quarterback Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams left tackle Jake Long is currently in the process of coming back from a second torn anterior cruciate ligament in as many seasons. Also like Bradford, Long is due a large salary cap number in 2015 and cutting him would provide the Rams with much-needed wiggle room heading into free agency.
Unlike Bradford, however, there haven't been as many open votes of confidence that Long will return to the Rams in 2015. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Long is due to count $10.5 million against the cap next season with a base salary of $9.25 million.
Releasing Long outright would save the Rams $8 million against the cap or as much as $9.25 million if they designate him a post-June 1 cut. Considering Long's recent injury history, releasing him seems like an obvious choice.
But at the NFL scouting combine, Rams general manager Les Snead acknowledged that dialogue with Long is also open and coach Jeff Fisher said that the Rams are discussing other options.
"There are possibillities, yes," Fisher said. "They've been discussed."
Fisher has already made it clear that Greg Robinson will stay at left tackle moving forward, meaning the options for Long are three-pronged.
First and foremost, Long's return would seem dependent on coming back at a reduced rate. The Rams figure to be up close to the salary cap, though they have ways to create space by releasing some players, Long included. It's unlikely, though, that Long would be able to come anywhere near his current salary if he hit the open market because of his injury history.
Which brings us to the next piece of the puzzle: where Long might fit in. Fisher has previously said Long could potentially move inside to guard but he could also become a candidate to flip to right tackle depending on what happens with unrestricted free agent Joe Barksdale. Barksdale will likely test the market and figures to draw his share of interest.
Of course, neither of those issues matters if Long doesn't return to health. There was a time when it wasn't even certain Long wanted to go through another rehab but he's been progressing recently.
"Jake's doing well," Fisher said. "You know he spent all the way up to a few weeks ago at the facility rehabbing. He's out in California working out and is doing well. I don't know what it looks like. If he comes back and is 100 percent then he'll have a chance to be a part and contribute to what we're doing. But there's some time between now and then."
Snead echoed those sentiments, saying that Long has "turned a corner" in the past month or so. Bringing Long back at a reduced rate wouldn't -- and shouldn't -- preclude the Rams from drafting a tackle this year if there was one they liked.
In two seasons in St. Louis, Long has been a valuable locker room guy and was helpful for Robinson in his first year. Even if he can't start, if he could be brought back to provide some veteran depth (assuming he's willing), it would give the Rams something they lacked in 2014. Last year, the Rams offensive line started the regular season without a backup with any meaningful experience.
"I can say this about Jake Long: you want that human being on the football team," Snead said. "He’s a football player, he makes you a lot better. As he rehabs, if he can get back to Jake Long previous knee, he can help the team win."
There are plenty of options for the Rams when it comes to Long's future with the team but it's a decision they'll have to make sooner than later.
