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My IDEAL offseason for the Rams in regards to OL would be:
CUT: Scott Wells & Harvey Dahl (Relieves around $9.5M in cap)
RESIGN: Roger Saffold, Tim Barnes, & Shelly Smith
DRAFT: Jake Matthews & Gabe Jackson (or another top OG in rds 2 or 3)
2014 OL
LT: Jake Matthews, Saffold, Long (PUP)
LG: Gabe Jackson, Saffold, Smith
C: Tim Barnes, Jones
RG: Roger Saffold, Smith, Jones
RT: Joe Barksdale, Saffold
The Rams need to prepare as if Jake IS NOT going to return for the start of the year. Anything else would be foolish. Like many have stated above, Sam can't be expected to make great strides forward with a weaker OL. I think this would be the perfect combination of youth and vets. No OLers long in the tooth and the right side has plenty of experience working together. A young, athletic guard has been needed in STL for the longest time & Matthews can play LT until or IF Long returns. Imo if we find a legit replacement for Jake in 2014, he will be let go following the season, when he is no longer guaranteed any money. Collectively this would also be a relatively affordable unit. Matthews would likely make in the $2.5-$4M range, Jackson in the $400K-$700K range, Barnes $800K-$1M, Roger $5-$7M (maybe overpay to get him to stay, per game bonus), Barksdale $645K. Now given Long is due $9.25M in 2014, we need some cheaper guys to make up for his expensive price tag.
Cutting Wells & Dahl would free up almost $10M, which by itself would be enough to resign Roger, Barnes, & Smith (with some spare change). Not to mention $4M saved if we cut Finn & a salary cap growth of $1-$3M. A Sam resign/restructure could also alleviate some cap.
CUT: Scott Wells & Harvey Dahl (Relieves around $9.5M in cap)
RESIGN: Roger Saffold, Tim Barnes, & Shelly Smith
DRAFT: Jake Matthews & Gabe Jackson (or another top OG in rds 2 or 3)
2014 OL
LT: Jake Matthews, Saffold, Long (PUP)
LG: Gabe Jackson, Saffold, Smith
C: Tim Barnes, Jones
RG: Roger Saffold, Smith, Jones
RT: Joe Barksdale, Saffold
The Rams need to prepare as if Jake IS NOT going to return for the start of the year. Anything else would be foolish. Like many have stated above, Sam can't be expected to make great strides forward with a weaker OL. I think this would be the perfect combination of youth and vets. No OLers long in the tooth and the right side has plenty of experience working together. A young, athletic guard has been needed in STL for the longest time & Matthews can play LT until or IF Long returns. Imo if we find a legit replacement for Jake in 2014, he will be let go following the season, when he is no longer guaranteed any money. Collectively this would also be a relatively affordable unit. Matthews would likely make in the $2.5-$4M range, Jackson in the $400K-$700K range, Barnes $800K-$1M, Roger $5-$7M (maybe overpay to get him to stay, per game bonus), Barksdale $645K. Now given Long is due $9.25M in 2014, we need some cheaper guys to make up for his expensive price tag.
Cutting Wells & Dahl would free up almost $10M, which by itself would be enough to resign Roger, Barnes, & Smith (with some spare change). Not to mention $4M saved if we cut Finn & a salary cap growth of $1-$3M. A Sam resign/restructure could also alleviate some cap.