Pace out!

by VanRam on Mar 10, 2009 4:28 PM CDT in 2009 Off-Season Comment 32 comments

Wow. An unceremonious end to Orlando Pace's time with the Rams, as the team grants the long-time LT his release today.

This is good for Pace. He'll easily find suitors from a number of teams out there looking for help at left tackle, expect something of a bidding war for his services soon.

Health-wise Pace is a bit of a risk, he hasn't played a full 16 game season since 2005. However, he finished healthy in 2008 and this will be the first off-season in some time that he can focus on keeping in shape as opposed to rehabbing. He's 33, turns 34 in November.

This comes as no surprise, except for the idea that the Rams might have traded him. The Rams are getting younger across the board, and rebuilding the offensive line for the future is now the priority. Pace's release also ups the likelihood the Rams will take an OT in the NFL Draft next month, like Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe.

There's no easy for a team to make this kind of news easier on the long-time fans, but the statement from majority owner Chip Rosenbloom showed real class. And the Rams are making the case for looking ahead, not holding on the past at all costs.

It'll be strange to watch the Rams play with someone other than Pace (or a backup filling in for him, which became the norm) protecting the blind side.

[Note by VanRam, 03/10/09 5:33 PM EDT ] Devaney's on Miklasz' 1380 AM radio show right now, and if can't listen live you can follow via Twitter. Most interesting statement thus far from the Rams GM:

Devaney says this doesn't mean they will zero in on an OT with No. 2 overall pick... AND Alex Barron will be moved to LT immediately.

Of course, that's not a huge surprise. No team would tip their hand this far out from the draft. Too many cards left to play. That said, the Rams picking Aaron Curry wouldn't surprise me much more than the team picking one of the OTs.

Devaney says moving Barron would make Bell the RT (!?) and Greco the LG. Interesting.

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Wow

I was expecting this but it’s still stings to know a guy that’s spent his career as a Ram be released, but it’s apparently the new trend to get rid of the face of the franchise this off-season.

This move basically guarantees Smith or Monroe will be taken at the #2 spot.

by Caruso on Mar 10, 2009 4:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Barron at LT

Let’s say we have to put Barron at left tackle, do you think he can do the job?

by MathB on Mar 10, 2009 4:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I have more faith in Barron at LT than Bell at RT … unless Bell bulks back up. Barron has the talent, and he’s yet to miss a game to injury. The only question mark is his head.

"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 Mar 10, 2009 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So where does Richie line up?

We did sign the guy, after all…

"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 Mar 10, 2009 4:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not signed yet

technically he’s a RFA we just extended a offer to him, never signed him, but if signed he’ll probably be RG like he was last year

by Caruso on Mar 10, 2009 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah, that’s right. Thanks.

"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 Mar 10, 2009 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt anyone will give up a draft pick for Cogs

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

by 3k on Mar 10, 2009 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

3rd round

pick for richie

by VanRam on Mar 10, 2009 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

SAD

Now we can’t draft Curry ,they should have kept him 1 more year.Now were gonna have some rookie on the outside get in burned up.Pass in on Curry is gonna be a SIN.

by Magyar on Mar 10, 2009 5:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

LOOK AT MY POST: Released Pace not a Ram! Who will they draft now?

Touchdown St.Louis Rams Won the SuperBowl

by WaZuP cReAtOr on Mar 10, 2009 5:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

:'(

I’ll miss Orlando. Between he and Torry, I thought we might just keep him. He was great the last four games of the year, and it’s such a shame that the once most dominant tackle in the game had his career shortened by injuries…

I also have no clue how the hell Jacob Bell is supposed to do moving from LG to RT. And if Barron couldn’t handle RT, I don’t know how he’ll do any better at LT. He’s a pretty decent lineman, all things considered, but I just don’t see how this move today isn’t an indication of our draft plans (cough cough Jason Smith).

by LARamsFan29 on Mar 10, 2009 6:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Barron was originally a LT in college

by JordansDad on Mar 12, 2009 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

shocking

I had these thoughts in my head that they where gonna restructure and make it work I guess not.

the west is ours

by jaram on Mar 10, 2009 10:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Man I hope they don't go with a OT with that #2 pick.

I really want Curry. Offense wins reagular season games, defense wins championships.

S-St. Louis, R-Rams, D-Dallas, M-Mavericks, A-Arizona, D-Diamondbacks.

by srdmad on Mar 10, 2009 10:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah

I like curry but I cant be mad if they go Tackle but it would be a shame watching him tear it up in a different uniform knowing what would of been

the west is ours

by jaram on Mar 10, 2009 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would like Curry

Curry would be a great pick for our team, but it would leave a huge hole in our team. The foundation to all great teams is the lines, specifically the O-line.

Zach Binder (Go RAMS)

by ramfan65 on Mar 10, 2009 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

I think we could find a tackle in the 2nd round .

the west is ours

by jaram on Mar 10, 2009 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, in the last two years, we haven’t won many regular season games. And you have to win regular season games to get to the playoffs to even have a shot at the championship.

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

by 3k on Mar 11, 2009 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

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

by sergey606 on Mar 12, 2009 12:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you think they will have a chance at another Aaron Curry in next year's draft?

S-St. Louis, R-Rams, D-Dallas, M-Mavericks, A-Arizona, D-Diamondbacks.

by srdmad on Mar 12, 2009 12:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Brandon Spikes in Florida, he’ll be coming off his Junior year and likely to enter the draft if his stock rises high enough…

"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 Mar 12, 2009 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everybody likes Spikes

As of right now, he’s a top 10 pick. Had he come out, depending on his combine performance and pro-day workout, he could have been the first MLB in the draft and in the top 12.

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

by 3k on Mar 12, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then I like Spikes too.

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 12, 2009 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What are we gonna do...

what are we gonna do as far as replacing Holt? Do we draft a WR in the 2nd

Zach Binder (Go RAMS)

by ramfan65 on Mar 10, 2009 11:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I really don't know.

There are about 4 or 5 directions the Rams could go with the 2nd pick.

We’re going to have to accept this team will not be completely fixed until next off season. We could use a WR, a DL, a MLB, and a CB (assuming they pick an OT in the 1st round) and anyone could make a compelling argument for any of those positions (well, maybe except CB) in the 2nd round. Which ever way they go, they’re going to have to sacrifice something. Sure they could go DL and grab a WR in the 3rd since it’s so deep, but it’s probably not going to be the number 1 guy we’d all like to see. Then that would push MLB to probably the 4th round and then CB well into the 2nd day.

There’s really no one left in free agency at the positions of need that match what the Rams did with Brown, Butler, and even Bartell so any FA they sign will be a one or 2 year stop gap like a Marvin Harrison or Mike Peterson or something along those lines.

Honestly, which ever route in the draft they take will be fine with me since they’ll be addressing areas of need and at least 2 positions should see a marked improvement. It’s no guarantee, but nothing really is.

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 10, 2009 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

devanney and company have gained my full trust i,i wont be mad on draft day ,unless they go wr or qb with the 2nd pick

the west is ours

by jaram on Mar 10, 2009 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

QB, CB

in the 2nd and I’d probably be confused. But I don’t see that happening. I have too much faith in Devaney and Company.

Btw, should I really have this much faith in management after what we’ve all been through for the past few years? I don’t know. I do know that I had zero faith in the previous regime and so far I’ve liked every single move that’s been made so far, so I’ve got no choice but to have faith, right?

Ah, I’m just babbling. I guess I’m kinda like Bulger. I’ve been hurt so many times because of this team that I’ve become shell shocked. Even with a brand new line in front of me, I can’t help but flinch from time to time.

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 10, 2009 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yep

hard to optimistic about a 2-14 team but things are looking good and every in here sounds exited but just not jumping up and down yet

the west is ours

by jaram on Mar 10, 2009 11:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A dieing breed

Where are all the draft Crabtree people now? Anyone who thinks the HOT wide receiver in a draft is worth a number 2 pick is simply wrong. Any team with a number 2 pick not acquired through a trade has a lot of holes and great wideouts are a lot easier to find than great linebackers and linemen. Look at Detroit, how many top receivers have they been drafting for years and still suck?

by PSKPSE on Mar 11, 2009 1:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Crabtree would still be a great pick, IMO...

but it’s clear there are greater needs…Pace’s release underscores this…it’s not like the Rams DON’T need a number one WR, but I do get the need to build from the lines out…this team has so many needs, almost anybody you get with #2 will go toward plugging a hole…again, as so many of you have pointed out, the total rebuilding of this team is not gonna happen this offseason alone.

by tbell61 on Mar 11, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LT

Pace was good but it was time,you have to look at Miami they drafted Jake Long and look at that O-Line good coaching is the key this team looked great against Dallas that’s what I look to see this season well played football,we can win now Miami was 1-15 next season win the division there is no reason Rams fans we can’t do the same.Look at Atlanta the Vikings.

by 39jackson on Mar 11, 2009 4:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs