Rams’ free-agent spending perplexing

By Steve Reynolds  |   Friday, March 09, 2007  |  Comments( 11 )

St. Louis Rams
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The St. Louis Rams appeared to be players early in free agency, quickly addressing holes at defensive end and wide receiver, and then a funny thing happened.

The Rams suddenly became Scrooge McDuck.

The Rams have made some impact signings thus far, but only on offense. When one looks at the speedily aggressive defensive acquisitions by divisional foes such as Patrick Kerney in Seattle and Nate Clements, Michael Lewis, Aubrayo Franklin and Tully Banta-Cain by the maniacally spendthrift 49ers, the Rams appear to be suddenly standing still.

With the talent pool becoming more diluted by the day, it appears likely that the Rams will attempt to fill their most pressing need, defensive tackle, through the draft. Considering DTs almost always take a couple years to develop, if they are not total busts, the Rams are engaging in a most dangerous game.

Let's assess what St. Louis has done to date in free agency:

James Hall, DE; Height: 6-foot-2, Weight: 280; Age: 30.

Team need: A
Player Talent: C+
Bang for the buck: A+

Let's face it, did anyone unable to simultaneously hum Motown tunes while dodging gunfire ever hear of James Hall before the Rams signed him? By trading for Hall, the Rams have saved quite a bit of money, despite assuming his contract, as they would have been forced to spend quite a bit more to acquire his services after the Lions released him. In a free-agent period when NFL teams have showered players with bags of money as if they were strippers, the Rams were smart to give up a mere fifth-round pick.

Hall's five sacks in seven games last year is misleading; he had three against Buffalo and notched one against the Rams (didn't everyone?). However, Hall is an intelligent player who, unlike Leonard Little, is more of a power rusher. If he can stay healthy, Hall could really benefit playing opposite the often double-teamed Little.

Drew Bennett, WR; Height: 6-5, Weight: 206; Age: will be 29 next season.

Team need: B
Player Talent: A-
Bang for the buck: C

Widely considered the most talented wideout in free agency, Bennett replaces Kevin Curtis in the lineup and his contract length suggests that he will eventually replace Isaac Bruce. The Rams have effectively traded speed for size at the slot receiver position, a move that apparently is more in tune with Scott Linehan's offensive philosophy. Although stopping just short of overspending for Bennett, the Rams doled out a lot of money for a less critical need.

Randy McMichael, TE; Height: 6-3, Weight: 255; Age: will be 28 this season.

Team need: C+
Player Talent: B+
Bang for the buck: B -

McMichael is a proven receiving threat and was a reliable, durable player for the Dolphins. His deal is worth $11 million over three years with a $3 million signing bonus.

Despite head coach Scott Linehan's supposed penchant for throwing to big men (wasn't Linehan supposed to make ample use of his tight ends?), Steven Jackson was the only player not named Bruce or Holt to see the ball on a regular basis last season.

McMichael and Bennett simply must see a lot of balls thrown their way to justify the rather pricey investment made in them, and these moves will assuredly shove youngsters Joe Klopfenstein and Dominique Byrd further out into the cold.

However, with three No. 1-type wideouts, a proven tight end and the emergence of Jackson as a legitimate receiving threat, the Rams' offense could now see a renaissance on a level not enjoyed since the "Greatest Show on Turf" days.

Todd Johnson, DB; Height: 6-1, Weight: 200; Age: 28.

Team Need: C+
Player Talent: C
Bang for the Buck: B

An experienced safety, Johnson saw consistent playing time as a backup with the NFC champion Bears and has started a total of 18 times in his four-year career in Chicago. The move adds safety and special teams depth to the Rams' secondary corps. Johnson has signed for $4 million over four years.

Todd Steussie, OT/G; Height: 6-6, Weight: 310; Age: 36.

Team need: B-
Player Talent: B
Bang for the buck: A

Signing the reliable Steussie as a backup for what is presumed to be near the league minimum gives the Rams insurance should the unthinkable happen once more to one of their tackles. Although 36, Steussie is durable and also provides depth at the guard position.

With the release of Adam Timmerman, the Rams appeared to be attempting to get younger along the offensive line, but the reacquisition of Steussie proves that theory inaccurate. If Timmerman was cut merely to create cap room, shouldn't the Rams attempt to fill more of said room with defensive help?

Simply speaking, the Rams cannot afford to be frugal on their defensive spending and must pursue one of the remaining tackles on the market such as Michael Myers or Ian Scott. The Rams need a nose tackle to replace their latest first-round bust, Jimmy Kennedy, and a part-time starter to work in tandem with La'Roi Glover. However, adding more young defensive tackle potential through the draft to couple with the youthful Claude Wroten will do nothing to rectify the immediate problem (and with St. Louis' draft record at DT, it may never work out at all).

If they're not careful, the Rams could end up seven fantasticatrillion dollars and sixteen cents under the salary cap because every DT of consequence has been signed, and concluding your free-agent run so many millions under the cap is only enviable if you're a duck named Uncle Scrooge.

**You can e-mail Steve Reynolds at sreynolds@realfootball365.com.
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CommentsComments: 11  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
James		12:34 AM
03/10/2007
Why is everyone so negative when we are moving in the right direction? Perplexing ??!!!?!!! Not at all. Curtis wants to look...
No.2
Cory		04:59 PM
03/10/2007
It does appear that the Rams will challege their rediculous offensive prowess of recent past but will probably have to as Gore,...
No.3
Rik		02:05 PM
03/16/2007
re James comment, I don't think this article is being neg. I agree that the upgrades to the O are exciting but we were something...
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