Brown, Butler and Bartell: Rams free agent open thread, Saturday 2/28

by Ryan Van Bibber on Feb 28, 2009 7:05 AM CST in 2009 Off-Season

[Note by VanRam, 02/28/09 2:26 PM EST ] Uh oh. Talks with SS James Butler aren't going quite as smoothly as hoped. Butler has a visit with the Browns scheduled for tomorrow, and his agent says that Butler and the Rams are "still a bit apart." Argh. This would be a loss for the Rams. Butler would really give them a ready-to-roll building block for the defense. Of course, it's not over yet, but it doesn't seem quite as imminent as the Brown deal did yesterday.

[Note by VanRam, 02/28/09 6:01 PM EST ] Butler has left the building...without a contract. Come on, St. Louis is totally a better place to play than Cleveland.

------------------------

It's a done deal. The Rams and C Jason Brown agreed to a five-year, $37.5 million deal with $20 million in guaranteed money. For those of you keeping score at home, that's a bigger deal than last season's o-line free agent acquisition, Jacob Bell (six-years, $36 million, $13 guaranteed) and slightly smaller than the deal the Jets gave G Alan Faneca in last year's free agent market (five-year, $40 million, $21 guaranteed).

However, Brown's not even 26, heading into the prime of his career. He's big, he's tough, he's exactly what the Rams need up front to make this offense work again. In 2008, Baltimore's offensive line had an overall adjusted line yards (ALY) number of 4.28, 9th best in the league, versus 3.99 RB yards per rushing play, meaning that Baltimore's o-line was a bigger factor in their running game than the actual back. On runs through the Mid/Guard spot, where the Ravens sent 54% of their runs, the o-line pounded out 4.40 ALY, 10th best in the league. That helped the Ravens own a 5.9% DVOA for their rushing game, 9th best in the NFL. Now, extrapolate those numbers to the Rams with Steven Jackson as the featured back... pretty exciting to think about the possibilities, no?

I'm also pretty geeked up about the seemingly likely possibility that the Rams are going to sign SS James Butler. Among other problems, our defense struggled with gap and assignment problems throughout the season. Butler's a guy who can really help with that, quarterbacking the defense. That's the reputation he earned playing for Spagnuolo in NY, and reuniting the two seems like a great match for a defense looking to rebuild its shattered identity.

Finally, keep your fingers crossed that the Rams work something out with CB Ron Bartell, who's visiting the Crescent City as you read this. It sounds like negotiations with the Rams and Bartell are progressing, but all it takes to torpedo that is one fat offer from another team, a very real possibility.

Stay tuned, we'll keep on top of the free agent news as it happens. And feel free to use this as an open thread for the free agent feeding frenzy. Besides what's happening with the Rams, there's lots to talk about.

Poll

Are you pleased by the Rams decision to sign C Jason Brown?

Yes, just what we needed up front

531 votes

No, could have spent the money for other needs

13 votes

544 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 32 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Huge signing

Way to come out and punch free agency in the face. This move makes the OL better all the way across the line. Bulger and Jackson have to be giddy about this.

by OregonRamfan on Feb 28, 2009 10:17 AM CST reply actions

yesyesyesyesyesyesyes

This huge for multiple reasons:
1.) It gives us some consistency in the middle of the line. Without a center, we had too much shifting going on, too many guys being asked to play out of position. That’s an easy way to make sure your line doesn’t block effectively. With Brown on board, our guards can play where they need to. I love the trio of Bell, Brown & Incognito on the interior. We have to address tackle, but this draft is thick with OT’s which brings me to #2
2.) It allows us to draft other positions. While it would have been nice to sign one of the top three centers, they would have come with question marks as any college player comes with as he moves up to the NFL. Now, we can spend our draft at WR, OT, LB, & S. Hell, if we sign Butler, we have a real shot at putting a decent team together which leads into #3.
3.) It shows Spagnuolo and Devaney are committed to putting a real team together. The Linehan era was chock full of “uh, I guess we could use that guy” signings like Drew Bennett and Ricky Manning, Jr. This shows that the new leadership at the highest echelon of the organization is serious about bringing in talent where we need it to make the most of the talent we already have on the roster. Steven Jackson is probably on his way to Vegas to celebrate.

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Feb 28, 2009 10:37 AM CST reply actions

I think they would have taken any cornerback at that stage..

by Eric Nagel on Feb 28, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions

I couldn't agree more with 3K on this one...that's all I have to say

by bdemartin on Feb 28, 2009 12:47 PM CST up reply actions

4)

Hopefully the signing of a legit guy at center helps prevent teams from mauling Bell. With a plus guy next to him, he could fulfill the expectations we had of him, and really solidify the line. .

"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz

by taiko on Feb 28, 2009 2:20 PM CST up reply actions

That's exactly what I'm thinking.

Lecky and Rohmberg exposed and weakened our line much more than I think a lot of people realized. Having a bad ass like Brown in the middle makes everyone better.

Getting two tickets to an execution is like getting two tickets to NASCAR, except you KNOW Jeff Gordon's gonna die.

by Tackle Box on Feb 28, 2009 5:13 PM CST up reply actions

Brown makes both guard positions better

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Feb 28, 2009 6:37 PM CST up reply actions

I think the guy who voted NO is Brett Romberg or maybe Leckey because i don’t understand why somebody would be against having a good center

by MathB on Feb 28, 2009 12:40 PM CST reply actions

Yeah

I honestly don’t understand that vote. Maybe it was Van just trying to make sure we don’t have our first unanimous poll ever.

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Feb 28, 2009 12:43 PM CST up reply actions

yeah

weird vote, never seen it so one sided

"I always think one step ahead, like a carpenter....the builds stairs"

by sergey606 on Feb 28, 2009 12:43 PM CST up reply actions

probably

a Seahawks lurker

by Ryan Van Bibber on Feb 28, 2009 1:30 PM CST reply actions

Chiefs acquire Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel

for a 2nd round draft pick (34th overall).

Getting two tickets to an execution is like getting two tickets to NASCAR, except you KNOW Jeff Gordon's gonna die.

by Tackle Box on Feb 28, 2009 1:47 PM CST reply actions

I read the Rams might be getting rid of Pace and Holt.

If they are traded, would they be traded for draft picks or for other players?

by JoeyBombs on Feb 28, 2009 3:48 PM CST reply actions

Probably won't be traded, my friend

Their contracts are pretty poisonous, so no one would take them on. We’ll probably have to release them to add cap space. So unfortunately, the answer’s neither

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Feb 28, 2009 4:01 PM CST up reply actions

How much of their contract would be still have to pay and how much more cap space would we have?

I’m not sure how that works, I’m more of a baseball guy.

by JoeyBombs on Feb 28, 2009 4:09 PM CST up reply actions

If we trade or release them

we’re responsible for the guaranteed money on the contract (it’s pro-rated and stuff which sometimes makes it difficult to figure). So, you look at what their cap hit is this year and if it’s more than what it would cost to remove them, then you see what you might be saving.

If a team trades for the player, they assume the cap hit the Rams are removing if that player were to still be on the Rams (not the cap hit the Rams receive for removing the player). However, if the player is released and then signed by another team, then the old contract only affects the Rams and the new contract would be reflected on the new team’s cap.

Getting two tickets to an execution is like getting two tickets to NASCAR, except you KNOW Jeff Gordon's gonna die.

by Tackle Box on Feb 28, 2009 5:18 PM CST up reply actions

Love the Trade!!!!

Brown is the Man! A great start for the Rams. Resigning Bartell is next on my list. Wouldn’t mind Butler either.

by ksmooth on Feb 28, 2009 5:02 PM CST reply actions

Who did we lose in the trade?

FYI….The Rams “signed” Brown.

Getting two tickets to an execution is like getting two tickets to NASCAR, except you KNOW Jeff Gordon's gonna die.

by Tackle Box on Feb 28, 2009 5:19 PM CST up reply actions

sorry mistyped my comment

Yes he was a free agent

by ksmooth on Feb 28, 2009 8:11 PM CST up reply actions

I realize it didn't quite come off as tounge in cheek as I meant it.

I kinda figured you knew it was a signing. Was just teasin’.

Getting two tickets to an execution is like getting two tickets to NASCAR, except you KNOW Jeff Gordon's gonna die.

by Tackle Box on Mar 1, 2009 12:24 AM CST up reply actions

Cool

Ok no problem…just lost my train of thought in the moment lol

by ksmooth on Mar 1, 2009 9:53 AM CST up reply actions

I thought this would be an easier deal to get done

Since Spags and Butler worked together last year.

by JoeyBombs on Feb 28, 2009 6:17 PM CST reply actions

yeah, it's kind of a bummer, but not over yet

but really, think about the impact Jason Brown is going to have on our offense. that cures all that could possibly bother you this weekend.

by Ryan Van Bibber on Feb 28, 2009 9:10 PM CST up reply actions

Yea I like how we're getting what we want.

We wanted Spags and we got him, we wanted Brown and we got him even though he cost more than we originally wanted to pay him, and now were pursuing everyone else we want.

by JoeyBombs on Feb 28, 2009 10:12 PM CST up reply actions

But it may be a blessing in desguise

The SS position in the draft is chalk full of talent. And if we end up having to replace our entire Corner Back corps (thanks Jay and Scott!) then having the extra cash that Butler would cost may come in handy.

This whole Ron Bartell thing has kinda thrown a monkey wrench in the plans. Without him, we’re left with a CB corps of Jonathan Wade, Tye Hill, Justin King, David Roach, and Quincy Butler…..how’s that make you feel?

Getting two tickets to an execution is like getting two tickets to NASCAR, except you KNOW Jeff Gordon's gonna die.

by Tackle Box on Mar 1, 2009 12:33 AM CST up reply actions

That this team signed a marquee free agent

on the first day of the signing period is pretty impressive…hopefully, word is getting around the league that this team is serious about winning, which bodes well for this and future FA signing periods.

by tbell61 on Feb 28, 2009 9:55 PM CST reply actions

Can anyone read this and tell me

they don’t get a little giddy feeling inside?

Jason Brown being talkie.

My favorite part:

I see film of Steven and I tell myself _ ’Wow!’ . . .We’ll have a dominating running game.

Getting two tickets to an execution is like getting two tickets to NASCAR, except you KNOW Jeff Gordon's gonna die.

by Tackle Box on Mar 1, 2009 12:41 AM CST reply actions

i'm holding him

to his “better than 8-8 record” statement. cause really?! a fucking (excuse my english) center can turn the whole team around, then well damn, I guess i better give mr. brown $10 bucks. assuming that the rams will make several more changes, which makes me hope that they’ll win the division next year, since they all suck

"I always think one step ahead, like a carpenter....the builds stairs"

by sergey606 on Mar 1, 2009 1:36 AM CST up reply actions

Now Now Sergy

You gotta give the guy some credit for being confident, we need that right now, ot doesnt seem to be comung from other players………….do you think that team that took the field against Philly in week one even had an ounce of confidence?

by JordansDad on Mar 1, 2009 2:39 AM CST reply actions

You hit the nail on the head

This team had too many losers on it. Brown is a winner and his attitude is exactly what the team needs. Can a center make that much of a difference? Usually, I’d say no, but Brown’s talent over that of Lecky or Rohmberg is astronomical and the effect it’ll have on the rest of the team is going to be substantial.

He immediately improves the run game and with Steven Jackson providing the “run”, I think there’s plenty of room for optimism.

Getting two tickets to an execution is like getting two tickets to NASCAR, except you KNOW Jeff Gordon's gonna die.

by Tackle Box on Mar 1, 2009 12:06 PM CST up reply actions

According to SportingNews

In the first three years of the deal, Brown will get $24 million, which is what Faneca got, to the penny. The breakdown …

$11 Million signing bonus
$3 Million roster bonus for 2009
$1 Million base salary for 2009
$5 Million base salary for 2010
$4 Million base salary for 2011

not too shabby huh?

by JordansDad on Mar 1, 2009 3:38 AM CST reply actions

So far, so good

Atogwe signed, Brown signed, and Greene, Chavous, Bennett released. There’s still many more on the chopping block; Dante Hall, James Hall, Fakir Brown, Tye Hill, Pisa, Klop, Becht, Leckey, Looker, Leonard, Pittman, Glover, Setterstrom, Berlin, etc. Now please get Butler and retain Bartell. Get the $$$ by releasing Holt and Pace. It also appears Michael Crabtree’s foot injury is not serious, so there’s our 1st round pick. The aforementioned cuts can be replaced in rounds 3-7. I still question resigning aged Leonard Little. He, Carriker and Long have yet to strike fear into the hearts of any opposing QB’s. But the biggest mystery to me is with Bulger very suspect after two years of relentless pounding, how did we let Matt Cassell get to the Chiefs for a 2nd round pick????

by edpjr on Mar 1, 2009 2:11 PM CST reply actions