Saturday, March 20, 2010
It’s often amazing how much traction meaningless comments can gain.
That was the case in the last 24 hours after the agent for Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh talked about it still being a possibility the Rams would select Suh with the first overall pick in the draft. It became headlines nationally.
The Lions, picking second, visited with Suh this past week, and agent Roosevelt Barnes was asked about the growing feeling that the Rams will pick quarterback Sam Bradford. Noting that anything can happen (now, there’s a revelation), Barnes said, "St. Louis hasn't made a decision yet. St. Louis is still in play (for Suh)."
The Rams are preparing for Bradford’s Pro Day on March 29. Earlier in the week, general manager Billy Devaney and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur traveled to Pensacola, Fla., where Bradford has been working out. They met with Bradford as well as Dr. James Andrews, who did the surgery on Bradford’s shoulder during the 2009 season.
Devaney has said the Rams will work out Bradford again before the draft to make sure there are no setbacks. No date has been set yet for that workout. The Redskins have already scheduled a private workout with Bradford on April 15.
Meanwhile, on NFL Network, former NFL general manager Charley Casserly summed up the decision between taking a quarterback like Bradford instead of a defensive tackle such as Suh or Gerald McCoy.
"If it's close, you take the value of the position,” Casserly said. “And frankly I don't think it's close. I think Bradford has a chance of being a better pro than either Suh or McCoy at their same positions."
Vobora reups
The Rams’ list of exclusive rights free agents is down to six after linebacker David Vobora signed what is believed to be a one-year contract worth $470,000.
Exclusive rights free agents are players with less than three accrued seasons whose contracts expired after the 2009 season. To retain exclusive rights to those players, teams tender a one-year contract at the league minimum and the player is prohibited from negotiating with other teams.
Offseason update
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--QB Kyle Boller was inconsistent when he played in 2009 and had injury issues. After the signing of A.J. Feeley, he won’t be back.
--DE James Hall was a leader in the locker room and a solid contributor. His age works against him, but there's not a lot of depth at the position. Hall visited New Orleans, but left without signing a contract.
--S Clinton Hart was with the team in the last half of the season and didn't play much. A one-year deal would be a possibility.
--DE Leonard Little ended the season with a knee injury, but remains the team's best pass rusher when healthy. He canceled a scheduled visit to New Orleans.
--TE Randy McMichael was a huge disappointment as a receiver because of drops and is unlikely to be offered a new contract.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers)
--S Eric Bassey (not tendered as RFA) missed the 2009 season because of a knee injury.
--*RB Samkon Gado (not tendered as RFA) is versatile and solid on special teams.
--*DT Gary Gibson (not tendered as RFA) was solid in the rotation, but ended the season on injured reserve with a broken ankle. Could be back for league minimum.
--LS Ryan Neill (not tendered as RFA) did a good job as Chris Massey's replacement, but now looking elsewhere after Massey was re-signed.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (*indicates restricted because of uncapped year)
--*DE Victor Adeyanju (tendered at $1.176M with fourth-round pick as compensation was inactive for a large part of the first half of the season, then played because of injuries.
--*S Oshiomogho Atogwe (tendered at $1.226M with no compensation) was the franchise player last season, but the low tender gives him the chance to test the market. He did notr report for the start of the team’s offseason conditioning program.
--*OT Alex Barron (tendered at $2.73M with second-round pick as compensation) has had penalty issues, but is durable and has never missed a start because of injury.
--NT Clifton Ryan (tendered at $1.684M with second-round pick as compensation) isn't outstanding, but is a consistent hard worker whose ability is needed at a position lacking depth.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--DE C.J. Ah You (tendered at $395,000) missed the second half of the season with a knee injury, but prior to that he was contributing in the line rotation and on special teams.
--CB Quincy Butler (tendered at $470,000) made some plays in the preseason, but not as many in the games that counted. He did start some games before suffering a knee injury late in the season.
--LB Larry Grant (tendered at $470,000) didn't progress as coaches hoped, but he did contribute on special teams.
--WR Jordan Kent (tendered at $470,000) quickly became one of the team's best special-teams players in coverage.
--OT Ryan McKee (tendered at $395,000) joined the team late in the season, but could compete at right tackle.
--S David Roach (tendered at $395,000) was decent on special teams, but not much else. Will at least compete for a roster spot again.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--S Craig Dahl: RFA (had been tendered at $1.01M with no compensation); $3.6M/3 yrs, $755,000 RB 2010.
--RB Kenneth Darby: ERFA; $470,000/1 yr.
--TE Daniel Fells: Not tendered as RFA; $770,000/1 yr.
--LS Chris Massey: UFA; $4.4M/4 yrs.
--*OG Mark Setterstrom: Not tendered as RFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--LB David Vobora: ERFA; $470,000/1 yr.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--QB A.J. Feeley: UFA Panthers; $6M/2 yrs, $2.25M RB 2010/$500,000 RB 2011.
--C Hank Fraley: FA Browns; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
--DT Fred Robbins: UFA Giants; $11.25M/3 yrs, $3.395M RB 2010.
PLAYERS LOST
--LB Paris Lenon: UFA Cardinals; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
--*WR Ruvell Martin: Not tendered as RFA/Seahawks; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--DT LaJuan Ramsey (released).
--CB Jonathan Wade: Not tendered as RFA/Lions; terms unknown.
Comments
MHammer1958 (anonymous) says...
Suh's agent is doing exactly what he needs to do to get his client the most money. It is called negotiation, unlike Presdient Obama and the Dems, this man is playing by the rules. So sad a Sports Agent has ethics.
March 21, 2010 at 12:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )