It's a shame that we had to cut Mikell. He was a great guy to have on a football team, and I get the feeling that he'll still be productive elsewhere. I guess it's time for Stewart to show what he can really do (I hope to fate that we resign him.)
That could get us 3 starters.A55VA6 said:I'll definitely miss Mikell. Just confirmed that we have $15 million in cap space for free agents. Not a ton of money, but it'll get us something.
BonifayRam said:DR RAM said:I'm just not that surprised. He is a one dimensional safety, and he played well after the first few games, where he played horrible, but he was overpaid to begin with....and Fisher wants interchangeable safeties. Mikkel can only play SS, he's too slow to cover anybody in space.
I agree with you about Mikell being one dimensional but his play inside @ the Box SS was good. His best came from his blitz & his ability to beat large blockers to the ball carrier going forward. Mikell is short did I say he was short? He was originally purchased to play deep free safety cuz the Rams had SS Craig Dahl & a young SS Darian Stewart. Having this high cost safety in Mikell meant he would be on the field & after his bad showing in 2011 @ FS he was moved to SS. Thus we got Dahl situation where Craig was forced to play FS. Stewart would have slid back to FS but his 2012 season was jammed packed with health issues, however Stewart had a very good first & second season when he started 13 games with as a Ram plus he nearly a decade younger than Mikell.
This Mikell action saves us @ least 3 mil & 10 mil in 2014 so this was the best move when you figure in that $$$ that's enough to entice a young UFA FS in here. I have read that the Mikell figure could be more savings..
<a class="postlink" href="http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/print?id=93510" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/print?id=93510</a>
Now I wonder if the Rams ever gave Stewart his RFA tender contact? If they retain Stewart & if DS is sound with 2nd yr SS Matt Daniels if he is sound could be solid enough youthful SS cadre to start off with. The real issue is @ Deep Free Safety where Rod McLeod is our only FS on the roster.
X said:Can't say I'm surprised, but I can say I'm disappointed.
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duckhunter said:Mikel not being able to play FS at a high level in 2011 for sure upset the apple cart at safety. The sad thing about the Mikel situation is that it affected our three young SSs, Stewart, Dahl and Daniels. Daniels might be the only guy that survives. It still somewhat baffles me that Daniels wasn't drafted. Look forward to seeing him get some reps since guys are moving out of his way.
A55VA6 said:I'll definitely miss Mikell. Just confirmed that we have $15 million in cap space for free agents. Not a ton of money, but it'll get us something.
jimitroutboy said:The draft pool has been pegged at around $5Million....they also need to start storing away some money if they want to extend Saffold and for next years two first picks.
bluecoconuts said:[tweet]311122976655437824[/tweet]
Looks like they got someone, probably a good one, coming in day 1.
BonifayRam said:duckhunter said:Mikel not being able to play FS at a high level in 2011 for sure upset the apple cart at safety. The sad thing about the Mikel situation is that it affected our three young SSs, Stewart, Dahl and Daniels. Daniels might be the only guy that survives. It still somewhat baffles me that Daniels wasn't drafted. Look forward to seeing him get some reps since guys are moving out of his way.
Matt Daniels was SS/FS type very effective leader in college. He was projected through out the draft nets that he would be a 4th or 5th round pick. When announced just before the draft that he would undergo a knee operation...true to form the safety just like many safeties gone before him dropped off the boards. While @ Duke he consistently ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash. You can read below some of what was written about him this time last year. He would seem to be a good back up @ safety once he has his knee back up to health.
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/historical/1689443" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/play ... al/1689443</a>
I am hoping to hear some news on SS Darian Stewart here shortly if anyone knows anything please advised. Oh yes hey Dr Ram being short will cause you some serious issues covering guys like those 6-6 ft TE's anyone remember what the pats forced us to do in the game in London? The Gronk has his best game of the 2012 season getting manned up with Mikell. Two TD's & 8 reception close to 150 yds mostly due to the SHORT Mikell coverage. That mismatch was not funny. Mr.Short Mikell is a mismatch when up against those 6-6 long armed TE's. Another tall 6-5 TE the Lions Pettigrew had his best game of the season when he went looking for the mismatch up against Mikell in the opening game. It was the forerunner to what we saw in London. If safety prospects like TJ McDonald & Zeke Motta fall into the third day of the draft (4th rd to 7th rd.)these taller 6-3 ft. safety's will catch Fishers eyes. He drafted the 6-1 Michael Griffin a few yrs back and he has been to the pro bowl more than a few times. Fisher likes his safeties a bit taller than the 5-9 1/2 Mikell.
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000149280/article/st-louis-rams-to-release-quintin-mikell-avoid-cap-hit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100000 ... id-cap-hit</a>
Speeps said:Saving 10 mil next year with this move is also great, because if the Rams wanted to sign a free agent this year, they can give them a heavier cap hit next year.
I do too.A55VA6 said:I feel like Daniels has a chance to be real solid. I like him.