Barksdale update

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Barksdale making free-agent visit to Tennessee
• By Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...a-b138-3c7ebb2f1cca.html#.VSQcV9yOUT0.twitter

Back from his honeymoon, Rams free-agent Joe Barksdale is visiting Tennessee this Thursday.

Losing Barksdale to the Titans would be a blow to a Rams offensive line that is looking for starters at center, guard, and right tackle — the latter being the position Barksdale manned for the past two seasons in St. Louis as a starter.

The Titans are looking for a starting right tackle after releasing Michael Oher earlier this offseason. Tennessee is the first known visit made by Barksdale, who got married and went on his honeymoon earlier in the free agency period.

With Jake Long released by the Rams earlier this season, and Mike Person signing with Atlanta in free agency, the Rams have only three offensive tackles on their current offseason roster: Greg Robinson, Garrett Reynolds, and Steven Baker.

Reynolds, a free-agent pickup from Detroit last month, started four games last season at right tackle for the Lions, but guard is considered his best position.

Baker spent the last nine weeks of the 2014 season on the Rams' practice squad, but the East Carolina product has yet to play in an NFL regular-season game.

Veteran Rodger Saffold, obviously, has experience at tackle as well but the Rams prefer him at guard.
 
I actually like Barks a lot, but I think HE (or his agent) thinks he has the Rams over a barrel. Let him walk. Wonder how far apart they are? Rams may feel Barks has hit his ceiling.
Didn't know we lost Person though. Rams obviously (I hope) think they have talent waiting in the wings. G Rob, Barnes/Jones, Barnes/Jones, Reynolds, Saffold?
 
Really not that big of a fan of Barks. I thought the first offer the Rams offered was a little generous. I was a little impatient on wanting to get the oline fixed early, but I'd rather they not over pay and build through the draft for the future. Here's hoping they trade down in the draft and focus primarily on the oline.
 
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I'm still hoping he comes back for a year, maybe two if need be. He's not great, but that will help the Rams develop a younger guy. I just don't want the Rams to HAVE to play multiple rookies on the line. Given the lack of demand for him, I'd think he'd be trying for a year contract at this point.
 
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If he signs with Tennessee, the Rams will most certainly have to sign Blalock or Wiz. I don't want to see two rookies starting, much less three. :eek:
 
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Yea I didn't either. Maybe Wiz doesn't like us? I get the sense that Barks might feel a bit snubbed. Tenn certainly could use him too. Hopefully he doesn't let spite be a part of the decision. He can certainly be a valuable component in our new improved line over the next few years as we WIN THE SB!!! The salary cap is a real though and while we would like to be able to just spend all of Stan's money, that's just not the reality in this sport. I like how the Rams have a value they won't pay more than for the position and I do hope we can come to terms that are amenable with Barks' new bride. Think of the rings, Mrs. Barksdale!
 
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CodeMonkey said:
Yea I didn't either. Maybe Wiz doesn't like us? I get the sense that Barks might feel a bit snubbed. Tenn certainly could use him too. Hopefully he doesn't let spite be a part of the decision. He can certainly be a valuable component in our new improved line over the next few years as we WIN THE SB!!! The salary cap is a real though and while we would like to be able to just spend all of Stan's money, that's just not the reality in this sport. I like how the Rams have a value they won't pay more than for the position and I do hope we can come to terms that are amenable with Barks' new bride. Think of the rings, Mrs. Barksdale!
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Yeah, the last thing the Rams need to do is over pay for Barksdale. He is serviceable at RT but not good enough to demand top dollar. Of course, starting a rookie there is a gamble that would have to pay off this year. The rookie would have to play at least as good as Barksdale which you'd think a 1st rounder could do that.
 
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We need a solid rotation on both sides of the line. The D is set, ha ha (Five first rounders, kiss my ass very much). A heavy OL draft is a must AND Barks has something to contribute.
 
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CodeMonkey said:
We need a solid rotation on both sides of the line. The D is set, ha ha (Five first rounders, kiss my ass very much). A heavy OL draft is a must AND Barks has something to contribute.
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Sure he does but not at a ridiculous price. I'd like to resign him. But if we don't, I think a guy like Blalock would give us two vet guards that could babysit our rookie and 2nd year OTs. The key then would be the Center and that is anything but settled.
 
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Barksdale will visit Titans
• By Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_1c1cd324-0cb2-5c07-9901-ab2a01884e73.html

After weeks of inertia, there is finally movement on the Joe Barksdale front, but not the kind of movement that is necessarily good for the Rams. Barksdale, the team’s starting right tackle for the past two seasons, will make a free-agent visit to Tennessee on Thursday.

The Titans are looking for a starting right tackle since releasing Michael Oher earlier this offseason. Tennessee is the first known visit made by Barksdale, who got married and then went on a honeymoon earlier in the free-agency period.

Losing Barksdale to the Titans would be a blow to a Rams offensive line that is looking for starters at center, guard and right tackle (if Barksdale leaves).

With Jake Long released by the Rams earlier this season, and Mike Person signing with Atlanta in free agency, the Rams have only three offensive tackles on their current offseason roster: Greg Robinson, Garrett Reynolds and Steven Baker.

Reynolds, a free-agent pickup from Detroit last month, started four games last season at right tackle for the Lions, but guard is considered his best position. Baker spent the last nine weeks of the 2014 season on the Rams’ practice squad, but the East Carolina product has yet to play in an NFL regular-season game.

Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft last season, is slated to be the Rams’ starting left tackle in 2015. Veteran Rodger Saffold, obviously has experience at tackle as well, but the Rams prefer him at guard.

REYNOLDS SIGNS

Running back Chase Reynolds, one of the Rams’ core special teams players, has signed his one-year, $585,000 tender with the team as an exclusive rights free agent. Reynolds led the Rams in special teams tackles last season with 19.

PRACTICES SCHEDULED

The Rams have scheduled their spring practices known as OTAs for the following dates: June 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 18, 19. The sessions at Rams Park are closed to the public. Once again, the team will not have a mandatory veterans minicamp. The start of the formal offseason conditioning program is April. 20.

LOCAL VISITS

Four St. Louis area draft prospects visited Rams Park on Monday for the team’s local pro day: Missouri wide receiver Jimmie Hunt (Cahokia High); Southern Illinois Carbondale tight end MyCole Pruitt (Kirkwood High); Kansas and Findlay tight end Charles Brooks (Maplewood High); and Northwest Missouri State cornerback Travis Manning (Belleville West High).

Unlike the “top 30” pre-draft visits reserved usually for more high-profile players, those attending the local pro day can work out for Rams coaches. Former SIUC quarterback Kory Faulkner of Ste. Genevieve, who was on San Francisco’s offseason roster a year ago, threw for Hunt, Pruitt and Brooks.

HOOPS FOR HOPE

Registration is open for Rams wide receiver Chris Givens’ 3-on-3 Hoops for Hope charity basketball tournament May 9 at Lindenwood University. A celebrity basketball game follows. Registration for the event, which benefits Lift for Life, is at stlouisrams.com/hoopsforhope.
 
PressureD41 said:
Ya I too hope Titans sign him. Time to invest draft capital in OL starters & key back up

3 picks in top 4 rds.. W/ trade down
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I won't disagree with you, but I don't see Fisher playing more than 1 rookie on the O-line as a starter. I am all for investing multiple picks on O-line this draft. However, it will be for the future and expect only 1 to start and the remaining players to be backups.
 
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8to12 said:
I won't disagree with you, but I don't see Fisher playing more than 1 rookie on the O-line as a starter. I am all for investing multiple picks on O-line this draft. However, it will be for the future and expect only 1 to start and the remaining players to be backups.
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Have a feeling Fisher is going in another direction. Last season the Rams wanted to trade back up for Zack Martin and IMO, Fisher wants the OL to be younger and better. Blalock after the draft, but come September Morn there will be a new RT and Center.
 
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8to12 said:
I won't disagree with you, but I don't see Fisher playing more than 1 rookie on the O-line as a starter. I am all for investing multiple picks on O-line this draft. However, it will be for the future and expect only 1 to start and the remaining players to be backups.
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Fisher might not have a choice.

As we sit here today (understanding things may change), what is currently on the roster for the line is basically well below average or still very raw.
 
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