Rams Wide Receiver Review

It's been a while since I posted an update because of the lockout. Now that football is back, the St. Louis Rams wasted no time upgrading the key areas that need attention. The wide receiver position was the focus of the draft as the Rams drafted a potential red-zone threat with TE Lance Kendricks and two sure handed wideouts in Austin Pettis and Greg Salas. On the free agency market Rams signed to a one-year deal Mike Sims-Walker adding more sure hand recievers for Sam Bradford. On the mix is Mark Clayton which was Bradfords favorite target aside from slot receiver extraordinaire Danny Amendola.

Who is the heir to Adam Timmerman?

The Rams has been having problems holding fort at the right guard position since All-Pro Adam Timmerman retired. Since then it was a revolving chair on that position Richie Incognito man the position but character issues cut his stay in St.Louis short; Mark Setterstrom also did good manning the position but injuries keep creeping up and decided to let him go as a free agent. Then there is the project on using  utility man OG/OT Adam Goldberg and OG John Greco. With the Rams tendering Greco shows that they still have some confidence on him and as football expert says "he just need some competition to prove himself".

Personally if given the chance to compete, John Greco might have found their answer to that position within the roster all along. Not drafting an interior lineman during the 2011 NFL draft has only enforced that Greco will be given a chance to compete although the Rams will try to add another veteran via free agency to add some depth.  

The Rams basically need to upgrade the interior as a they where able to draft the Rams bookend tackles in Rodger Saffold and Jason Smith and they will be holding fort for quiet sometime. Center Jason Brown has been the anchor and the de-facto leader of the group since he was signed as a free agents in 2009 as he has shown consistency with his play.

DT Barry Cofield would make sense with the Rams

If the free agency starts today and GM Bill Devaney should at least sign players that are familiar with Steve Spagnuolo's defense which is why free agent defensive tackle Barry Cofield would be a significant upgrade to the Rams D-line since Cofield is only 26 years old, he knows the system and a solid run-stopper.

Rams Re-signs DE James Hall and 2 ex-Giants

The Rams brought back an important piece of their defense Monday afternoon, re-signing valuable defensive lineman James Hall.

Bringing Hall back provides the Rams with a veteran presence that might otherwise have been missing.

Hall established himself as the team’s most versatile defensive lineman, starting 14 games at defensive end. But as part Spagnuolo’s scheme, defensive linemen are expected to be able to play multiple positions along the line.

Nobody did more moving around than Hall, who would regularly shift to the inside in passing situations.

Rams sign 2 ex-Giants

Continuing to add to their offseason roster, the St. Louis Rams on Monday signed cornerback Kevin Dockery and tight end Darcy Johnson to one-year deals. Both players are former New York Giants who were not tendered as restricted free agents this offseason.

Dockery, 5-10, 188, had 10 career starts in four seasons with the Giants and has three career regular-season interceptions. He should compete for the nickel back job in St. Louis and be a core player on special teams.

Johnson, 27, spent most of his rookie season (2006) on the Giants’ practice squad, and then missed the entire ‘07 season after suffering a knee injury in training camp.

Off Season Transactions Update

As of this writing the St. Louis Rams has signed and re-sign key players that would provide needed depth on key positions

Former Eagle and Browns Center/Guard Hank Fraley signed a three-year deal with the Rams. He is possibly penciled as a starter at the Right Guard spot. Rams also re-signed G Mark Setterstrom to provide competition  and depth on the interior.

The Rams also has re-signed veteran long snapper Chris Massey for 4 years reportedly for $4.4 million. Making him the richest long snapper in the NFL to date.

And finally linebacker David Vobora, has signed his one-year tender offer with the team. Vobora adds depth to the position that is in need of an upgrade

Rams starts free agency: Familiar Faces joins the Rams

Rams started free agency by signing veterans: quarterback A.J. Feeley (ex-Eagles) and defensive tackles Fred Robbins (ex-Giants). Although not spectacular but solid and reliable veterans that knows the systems. Feeley knows Pat Shurmur's system very while he was with the Eagles. Robbins has played for Spagnuolo with the Giants and he will provide mentorship to the young defensive linemen.

Rams trade for Atlanta WR Laurent Robinson

The Rams need help at the wide receiver position and got some Monday by trading for Atlanta wideout Laurent Robinson. The Rams acquired Robinson by switching draft positions with the Falcons in both the fifth and sixth rounds. They didn’t lose any picks; they just changed positions in both rounds with Atlanta.

The Rams get Atlanta’s fifth-round (No. 160 overall) and sixth-round (No. 196 overall) picks; Atlanta gets the Rams’ fifth-round (No. 138 overall) and sixth-round (No. 176 overall) picks.

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TE Billy Bajema Signs with the St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams have a new blocking specialist at tight end. Free agent Billy Bajema, who had spent his four previous seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, has agreed to terms with the Rams. Contract details weren’t immediately available. Bajema, 26, replaces Anthony Becht, who was released by the Rams earlier this month and subsequently signed with the Arizona Cardinals.

Rams' Free-Agent Sscorecard of of 4/12/08

Who's coming:
TE Anthony Becht (Tampa Bay)
2 years, $2 million, $270,000 signing bonus

G Jacob Bell (Tennessee)
6 years, $36 million, $7 million signing bonus

K Josh Brown (Seattle)
5 years, $14.2 million, $4 million signing bonus

WR Reche Caldwell (Washington)
1 year, $645,000, $40,000 signing bonus

QB Trent Green (Miami)
3 years, $8.9 million, $2.1 million signing bonus


CB David Macklin (Washington)
1 year, $770,000, $40,000 signing bonus


Who's staying:

S Jerome Carter
1 year, $520,000

G-T Adam Goldberg
1 year, $645,000, $40,000 signing bonus

OT Brandon Gorin
1 year, $645,000, $40,000 signing bonus

DE James Hall
2 years, $3 million, $700,000 signing bonus
Hall was released, then re-signed.

RB Travis Minor
1 year, $755,000, $25,000 signing bonus

C Brett Romberg
1 year, $645,000, $40,000 signing bonus


Who's gone:
G-T Milford Brown (Carolina)
1 year, $645,000, $15,000 signing bonus

WR Isaac Bruce (San Francisco)
2 years, $5.5 million, $1 million signing bonus

LB Brandon Chillar (Green Bay)
2 years, $5.3 million, $550,000 signing bonus

QB Gus Frerotte (Minnesota)
2 years, $4 million

Free Agency Scenario so far

The free agency period so far was full of surprises as some familiar players are gone and some have came back. The most notable loss was when former Pro Bowler and long time Rams Wide Receiver Isaac Bruce was released due to salary-cap reasons. He later on signed with the division rival San Francisco 49ers who now have former Rams Head Coach Mike Martz as the offensive coordinator.

On the other hand one player is glad to be back as a Ram. Former Kansas City and Miami quarterback Trent Green was signed to be Marc Bulger's back replacing Gus Frerotte. Green was happy to be back in St. Louis as he grew within the area and has many friends living in the area. The signing of Green has at least established a solid backup for QB Marc Bulger.