Should the Rams chase Haynesworth?

Before the Rams committed to Spagnuolo, I’d have voted yes. But unless he decides to move to the 3-4 and radically change his plans for getting to the quarterback (compared to how he built the defense in New York), I don’t think he’s as good of a fit.

  We have too many issues to address over the next two years either for a lack of talent or age that is going to cost us: OT, WR, DE, LB. Bringing in such an expensive DT now doesn’t make sense. He’s going to get signed by a team that is either VERY close to the playoffs or needs him to increase their chances of going deeper.
  We’ve talked about signing Jordan Gross or Matt Birk or even certain LBs to improve our roster. Sign Haynesworth and we can forget about all of those.
  BTW, let me say now, the Rams need to cut Drew Bennett now. Don’t even waste time with it.

At first glance, this seems to be a bad idea. But if you think about it, the Rams have been looking for a quality NT for a long time. I’m not on here mistakenly calling Hanyesworth ‘quality’ when he is more closer to ‘luxury’, but the Rams have a need in this position. Also, remember that La’Roi Glover is retiring so we definitely don’t have anyone there now.

I don’t think we have time to develop a NT, develop a MLB, develop a CB, and develop a safety all in the same year. Sometimes you have to buy the best and shop around in other departments. With Hayneswort, the DL will be solid, making the role of the MLB much easier. Imagine how good Rey Maualuga would be behind a line that featured Carriker, Long, and Hanyesworth. Then we could pickup and train a decent safety and our defense would be set (considering a few tweaks).

but I can’t see eating up that much cap for one guy…the point has been made endlessly here, this team has too many other needs.

I really don’t see this organization spending THAT much on defense- besides their draft picks. (although I’d like to see them pick up Crabtree, personally, as i don’t see an Orlando Pace anchor the line for his career OT in the draft).

I’d much rather them bring in a proven tackle in the free agency, but that seems less and less likely since the top prospect (in my opinion) looks like a sure bet to be resigned by Carolina.

But for defense I don’t see the new coach bringing in monster free agents, unless they know them personally. I see them picking up solid players with potential that they themselves vouched for at their old jobs.

With Bartell on the other side you can blitz more knowing that these two are your cornerbacks, but it all depends on how much money it would take to get someone like him.
23 more days.