Rams cut RB Richardson, DT Cudjo
Print By Jim Thomas jthomas@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8197
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From Rams Park on Thursday comes yet another compelling example of why NFL stands for Not For Long.
Nine months ago, second-year running back Daryl Richardson was named the opening day starter for the Rams late in training camp in their first year without Steven Jackson.
Richardson won't get a third-year, at least not in St. Louis. The Rams released Richardson, a day in which they also released backup defensive tackle Jermelle Cudjo, offensive lineman Graham Pocic, and offensive tackle Emmanuel McCray.
McCray, from the University of Mississippi, had just signed with the team as an undrafted free agent earlier this week. Pocic was placed on injured reserve at the end of training camp last summer because of a shoulder/labrum injury.
After an impressive rookie year, in which Richardson gained 475 yards and averaged 4.8 yards per carry, the seventh-rounder from Abilene Christian looked like a late-round steal. But he suffered a turf toe injury in the 2013 season-opener against Arizona and struggled with the injury all season. He ended up with only 215 yards rushing (and a 3.1 average) in '13, playing in just eight games with three starts.
Once the Rams drafted Auburn's Tre Mason in the third round last week, it became obvious that either Richardson or 2012 second-rounder Isaiah Pead would have to go. That question was answered Thursday.
Cudjo, who has been with the Rams since 2010, had his best season in 2012 when he registered 39 tackles and a sack and started four games. But he suffered a stress fracture in his foot last offseason and began training camp on the active/PUP list. Perhaps because of the late start, he didn't play as well last season.
Cudjo had signed a two-year, $1.8 million contract in March 2013 that included a $350 signing bonus. The Rams will have to eat half of that signing bonus as dead money. But Cudjo was due a $900,000 base salary this year, which now becomes cap savings.
With Thursday's moves, the Rams now have 86 players on their roster or four under the offseason roster limit.
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