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- Nov 9, 2014
- Messages
- 12,180
With us not doing anything with the OL tells me our scouting dept. is very confident in the quality and depth of this coming o- line depth which less likely to over pay for anybody's services
Ranking St. Louis Rams' Best Remaining Free-Agency Options
- Thread starter Prime Time
- Start date
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- Feb 3, 2013
- Messages
- 23,283
- Name
- mojo
Well played
5/5
shaunpinney
Hall of Fame
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2012
- Messages
- 4,805
I'd like to see 5, 4 and 7 personally, a healthy balance of talent vs $$$...
And still draft O-line in R1
And still draft O-line in R1
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- Feb 9, 2014
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- 20,922
- Name
- Peter
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #24
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...t-louis-rams-top-5-free-agent-signings-so-far
Ranking the 2015 Impact of the St. Louis Rams' Top 5 Free-Agent Signings so Far
By Steven Gerwel, Featured Columnist Mar 22, 2015
The St. Louis Rams have not been the most active team in free agency, but the franchise has made several key pickups that should create a major impact.
Many were expecting the Rams to heavily pursue offensive linemen, as that was clearly the team's greatest need entering the offseason. There's still time remaining, but the Rams have done little to address the line.
The lack of offensive line urgency is concerning, but the team was still able to address other pressing needs in free agency.
It has done so by avoiding superstar talents in need of monster contracts and filling the holes instead with affordable mid-level free agents. The team has also used free agency to retain several key in-house players.
This article will look at the top five additions this offseason—both in-house free agents and players from other teams—and rank their potential impact in 2015.
5. Lance Kendricks, Tight End
Elaine Thompson/Associated Press
The Rams re-signed tight end Lance Kendricks to a four-year deal worth $18.5 million, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.
The move was surprising on several levels. For one, out of St. Louis' top free agents this year, Kendricks was easily the most disposable. He's the No. 2 tight end behind Jared Cook. He serves as a reliable run-blocker and an occasional pass-catcher, but he offers little that can't be replaced.
Also, a deal averaging nearly $5 million per year seems rather steep for a part-time player who has yet to make any significant impact since being drafted in the second round in 2011.
Even so, the Rams are happy to have his blocking skills available on offense. He's a far better run-blocker than any tight end on the roster, and that makes him somewhat valuable for a team built to run the ball.
The new contract might be a sign that the Rams are looking to evolve Kendricks' role. Don't be surprised if he plays a much bigger part in the passing game in 2015.
4. Akeem Ayers, Linebacker
David J. Phillip/Associated Press
The acquisition of Akeem Ayers solidifies what was the final weak spot of the front seven. Not only will he improve the run defense, but the Super Bowl champion will also add to the pass rush from the weak-side linebacker position.
The former second-round pick has been a solid NFL contributor since 2011. He spent the final nine games of the 2014 season with the New England Patriots, where he accumulated four sacks and an interception during that time.
At age 25, he's just now entering his prime and will only get better.
Ayers will be replacing the 30-year-old Jo-Lonn Dunbar. Dunbar had a strong first year with the Rams in 2012, but his play has fallen into a downward spiral ever since his suspension for performance-enhancing substances in 2013.
While Ayers is a solid pickup, he's certainly not a total game-changer. As the third linebacker, he'll practically be a part-time player. James Laurinaitis and Alec Ogletree should see the majority of the snaps on passing downs.
Due to his part-time role, his 2015 impact won't be as great as some of the other pickups.
3. Nick Fairley, Defensive Tackle
Carlos Osorio/Associated Press
The St. Louis defensive line isn't great only because it features four star players in the starting lineup. It's also due to the depth behind those starters.
The Rams lost an important piece after the team cut Kendall Langford. He was a reliable member of the rotation, so the Rams were in need of a suitable replacement.
Nick Fairley has had ups and downs throughout his NFL career, but there's no denying the first-round pick's remarkable talent. The Rams are hoping to harass quarterbacks in 2015, and Fairley is a clear upgrade over Langford as a pass-rusher.
The defensive line is the anchor of St. Louis' football team. Even a rotational player in that unit has significant importance.
2. Kenny Britt, Wide Receiver
Ed Zurga/Associated Press
The Rams needed to retain their No. 1 receiver, and they were able to do just that. According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, St. Louis inked Kenny Britt to a two-year deal worth $14 million.
Despite playing with backup quarterbacks for the entire 2014 season and being criminally underutilized the first two weeks, Britt still managed to post his best numbers since 2010—48 catches, 748 yards and three touchdowns.
With Brian Quick coming off a serious shoulder injury, the Rams needed their top receiver in place for the upcoming season.
If they are lucky enough to have Quick back to his early 2014 form, Britt and Quick will make for a dynamic duo. If that happens, the St. Louis aerial attack will surprise people in 2015.
1. Nick Foles, Quarterback (via Trade)
Jeff Roberson/Associated Press
This is cheating since Nick Foles was acquired through trade, but St. Louis' new starting quarterback is still the team's biggest addition since the start of free agency. And it's not even close.
The Rams sent quarterback Sam Bradford to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Foles. The teams swapped several draft picks as well, including a 2016 second-round pick that St. Louis will receive from the Eagles.
The deal has given St. Louis hope at the quarterback position. After two season-ending injuries for Bradford in back-to-back years, the Rams finally have a fresh face under center.
Foles is not merely a new name to boost jersey sales. He's a talented and capable passer. He made the Pro Bowl his first year as a starter in 2013 with 27 touchdowns and two picks.
His numbers declined in 2013 (13 touchdowns, 10 picks), but he still led his team to a 6-2 record before injuries forced backup Mark Sanchez to take over in Week 10. He has a 14-4 overall record since becoming a starter in 2013.
The Rams don't need Foles to regain his Pro Bowl form and become one of the best passers in the league (though that'd be a pleasant surprise). The team just needs him to manage games and stay on the field—two things he should be capable of.
For better or worse, Foles will have the biggest impact on the 2015 season.
Ranking the 2015 Impact of the St. Louis Rams' Top 5 Free-Agent Signings so Far
By Steven Gerwel, Featured Columnist Mar 22, 2015
The St. Louis Rams have not been the most active team in free agency, but the franchise has made several key pickups that should create a major impact.
Many were expecting the Rams to heavily pursue offensive linemen, as that was clearly the team's greatest need entering the offseason. There's still time remaining, but the Rams have done little to address the line.
The lack of offensive line urgency is concerning, but the team was still able to address other pressing needs in free agency.
It has done so by avoiding superstar talents in need of monster contracts and filling the holes instead with affordable mid-level free agents. The team has also used free agency to retain several key in-house players.
This article will look at the top five additions this offseason—both in-house free agents and players from other teams—and rank their potential impact in 2015.
5. Lance Kendricks, Tight End
Elaine Thompson/Associated Press
The Rams re-signed tight end Lance Kendricks to a four-year deal worth $18.5 million, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.
The move was surprising on several levels. For one, out of St. Louis' top free agents this year, Kendricks was easily the most disposable. He's the No. 2 tight end behind Jared Cook. He serves as a reliable run-blocker and an occasional pass-catcher, but he offers little that can't be replaced.
Also, a deal averaging nearly $5 million per year seems rather steep for a part-time player who has yet to make any significant impact since being drafted in the second round in 2011.
Even so, the Rams are happy to have his blocking skills available on offense. He's a far better run-blocker than any tight end on the roster, and that makes him somewhat valuable for a team built to run the ball.
The new contract might be a sign that the Rams are looking to evolve Kendricks' role. Don't be surprised if he plays a much bigger part in the passing game in 2015.
4. Akeem Ayers, Linebacker
David J. Phillip/Associated Press
The acquisition of Akeem Ayers solidifies what was the final weak spot of the front seven. Not only will he improve the run defense, but the Super Bowl champion will also add to the pass rush from the weak-side linebacker position.
The former second-round pick has been a solid NFL contributor since 2011. He spent the final nine games of the 2014 season with the New England Patriots, where he accumulated four sacks and an interception during that time.
At age 25, he's just now entering his prime and will only get better.
Ayers will be replacing the 30-year-old Jo-Lonn Dunbar. Dunbar had a strong first year with the Rams in 2012, but his play has fallen into a downward spiral ever since his suspension for performance-enhancing substances in 2013.
While Ayers is a solid pickup, he's certainly not a total game-changer. As the third linebacker, he'll practically be a part-time player. James Laurinaitis and Alec Ogletree should see the majority of the snaps on passing downs.
Due to his part-time role, his 2015 impact won't be as great as some of the other pickups.
3. Nick Fairley, Defensive Tackle
Carlos Osorio/Associated Press
The St. Louis defensive line isn't great only because it features four star players in the starting lineup. It's also due to the depth behind those starters.
The Rams lost an important piece after the team cut Kendall Langford. He was a reliable member of the rotation, so the Rams were in need of a suitable replacement.
Nick Fairley has had ups and downs throughout his NFL career, but there's no denying the first-round pick's remarkable talent. The Rams are hoping to harass quarterbacks in 2015, and Fairley is a clear upgrade over Langford as a pass-rusher.
The defensive line is the anchor of St. Louis' football team. Even a rotational player in that unit has significant importance.
2. Kenny Britt, Wide Receiver
Ed Zurga/Associated Press
The Rams needed to retain their No. 1 receiver, and they were able to do just that. According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, St. Louis inked Kenny Britt to a two-year deal worth $14 million.
Despite playing with backup quarterbacks for the entire 2014 season and being criminally underutilized the first two weeks, Britt still managed to post his best numbers since 2010—48 catches, 748 yards and three touchdowns.
With Brian Quick coming off a serious shoulder injury, the Rams needed their top receiver in place for the upcoming season.
If they are lucky enough to have Quick back to his early 2014 form, Britt and Quick will make for a dynamic duo. If that happens, the St. Louis aerial attack will surprise people in 2015.
1. Nick Foles, Quarterback (via Trade)
Jeff Roberson/Associated Press
This is cheating since Nick Foles was acquired through trade, but St. Louis' new starting quarterback is still the team's biggest addition since the start of free agency. And it's not even close.
The Rams sent quarterback Sam Bradford to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Foles. The teams swapped several draft picks as well, including a 2016 second-round pick that St. Louis will receive from the Eagles.
The deal has given St. Louis hope at the quarterback position. After two season-ending injuries for Bradford in back-to-back years, the Rams finally have a fresh face under center.
Foles is not merely a new name to boost jersey sales. He's a talented and capable passer. He made the Pro Bowl his first year as a starter in 2013 with 27 touchdowns and two picks.
His numbers declined in 2013 (13 touchdowns, 10 picks), but he still led his team to a 6-2 record before injuries forced backup Mark Sanchez to take over in Week 10. He has a 14-4 overall record since becoming a starter in 2013.
The Rams don't need Foles to regain his Pro Bowl form and become one of the best passers in the league (though that'd be a pleasant surprise). The team just needs him to manage games and stay on the field—two things he should be capable of.
For better or worse, Foles will have the biggest impact on the 2015 season.
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2014
- Messages
- 18,666
- Name
- Dave
What about #2, Evan Mathis, He's worked with Foles, and knows his style!?!
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2013
- Messages
- 23,002
- Name
- Dennis
On the wrong side of 30 and not at his present cap number plus I still have a feeling the draft will be heavy OL.
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2012
- Messages
- 2,216
- Name
- Dale
Beat me to it Mikey!
Has to be the longest running song ever with just three chord changes and no bridge (you music guys will understand).