Torry Holt: And this is how it ends

by VanRam on Mar 4, 2009 9:28 PM CST in 2009 Off-Season Comment 39 comments

I don't know. I knew Torry Holt was leaving the Rams after last season. I was ready for it, still am. But, still, the reality of it is always a bitter pill to swallow. It's come to this: Torry Holt has asked the Rams to release him.

Obviously, parting ways with Holt is the right thing to do, for both the Rams and Holt. The team needs to rebuild and the seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver deserves to finish his career with one more shot at a title. Can't blame him for that.

I suspect the Rams might still try and see if they can trade him, releasing him if they can't find any takers.

Gotta wish the guy all the best.

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All I ask

is that he doesn’t go to the Niners. Seeing him and Bruce on the same team could be too much for me. I thought about having myself cryogenically frozen if San Fran landed Warner and Holt to join Bruce….

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

by 3k on Mar 4, 2009 9:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

haha

they might as well just rename their team to the rams. except warner signed with the cards

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

by sergey606 on Mar 4, 2009 10:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

if only they had someone to pass to them

in SF.

by VanRam on Mar 5, 2009 8:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I'm hard hearted on this...

but he gets released only if it serves the best interest of the Rams…if they can’t get a deal done, then perhaps there is a win-win to releasing him, in that they can save the cap space, (and I know they don’t have a lot of time to decide on that)…I know the situations are somewhat different, but this reminds me of last summer with Favre and the Packers…he wanted his release, but Green Bay wasn’t about to let him sign with Minnesota for nothing, so they held out for the trade with the Jets…again, we don’t have time on our side here, and we’re not dealing from a position of strength, but I share 3k’s concern about him ending up with a division opponent.

by tbell61 on Mar 4, 2009 10:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you on the best interest of the team

I want to win more than I want to watch living monuments take the field. just kind of makes the end of an era official.

by VanRam on Mar 5, 2009 8:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know why we didn't use him more last year

But if I were him I would want to be out of here too.
I’m not happy to see my favorite player leave but I know it must be done.

by JoeyBombs on Mar 4, 2009 10:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

We tried to

but with consistent pass rush pressure on Bulger and Holt’s declining agility and speed (read: lack of separation), it became increasingly difficult to get him the ball outside of his classic 3 yard slants.

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

by 3k on Mar 5, 2009 6:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

o

well if lavernious coles could get 7 mil i think we could get something for holt looks like someone would take that contract

the west is ours

by jaram on Mar 4, 2009 10:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

weak

we need to trade him, not release. rams should get something in return for him

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

by sergey606 on Mar 4, 2009 10:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Completely amateurish move by Holt.

I can’t believe he just undermined the team. I thought he had more class than that.

He knows the team is shopping him and if they’re going to move him, it’s gotta be by the 17th. Sure, there are teams who know this which diminishes his trade value but now he comes out publicly and asks for his release knowing full well it destroys any trade value he might have.

Now the only shot the Rams have at getting something back for him is to pit two or more teams against one another hoping one team doesn’t want to bid against the other team for the free agent. Probably isn’t going to happen since whoever signs him will probably still pay less than they would if they trade for him.

It was going to be tough to trade him and get back something of any value. Now, it’s practically impossible. I’ve just lost a lot of respect for Torry Holt.

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 4, 2009 11:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

You seriously except NFL GM’s to say, well know that its public, even though we already knew, it changes everything!

Everyone and their mom knows the rams are going to have to release him. There not going to be able to trade him when they can just wait to get him for free.

by ram_rod on Mar 5, 2009 12:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If a team wants Holt,

they might trade a draft pick for him, insteading of waiting for him to be released and compete with other teams for him.

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

by srdmad on Mar 5, 2009 12:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t you think Nfl teams don’t call Torry’s agent to know if he wants to play for them? They do it in hockey.

by MathB on Mar 5, 2009 1:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The pay's the thing

a team would still be interested in trading for him, because the Rams will be on the hook for the biggest chuck of his cap value. Signing him as a free agent, you have to meet the players salary demands

by VanRam on Mar 5, 2009 8:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure on what you're saying here, but my explantion for what I said

is what VanRam has said.

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

by srdmad on Mar 5, 2009 11:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the issue is that Holt already has his team picked out

He wants to be released so he can choose his next team – most likely Carolina or Tennessee – and not have his fate decided for him.

If I’m in Chicago, and I think Holt is the answer, this might actually step up my effort to land him before the Rams grant him this release.

"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 5, 2009 12:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's possible.

but there’s a lot of competition out there for Holt.

Harrinson, Owens, plus the draft. It’s not like Torry’s the only guy available.

Anyway, the way I see it. He already figures he’s not going to be a Ram and, like you said, he wants to dictate where he goes and by publicly stating he wants to be released he has killed the chance he gets traded somewhere where he “fits into the plans”. And what the hell does that mean?

The only way he doesn’t “fit into the Rams plans” is because it makes financial sense to get rid of him. Outside of that, he definitely has a spot on the team. Otherwise, he’d have already been released.

Unless he knows for certain the Rams are going to take Crabtree in the draft (and I don’t think he knows that), then he can’t say what he said with any certainty.

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 5, 2009 4:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

well

because of the march 17th deadline, I think most teams were going to wait it out rather than sacrifice the draft pick.

Also, completing the trade means that besides losing the draft pick, you have to take on Holt’s current crappy contract. So, a double whammy for the aquiring team.

Rams Gab!
www.ramsgab.com

by jroman on Mar 5, 2009 8:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That very well may be true

My biggest issue with him is “why” did he do it?

If you and I know there is a small chance the Rams can actually trade him before March 17, and I’m sure he knows it, why say something now? It’s not like this is a new development. They’re already trying to get move him, so he just sounds off?

It makes no sense to do it than for selfish reasons. It doesn’t benefit the team at all, but what it does do is almost guarantee he becomes a free agent which is a great benefit to him.

Is the situation unfair? Sure, i suppose. I mean, I guess he really owes nothing to the Rams since they’re trying to move him and he’d prefer to play where he wants to play. That’s fine. But he’s always been portrayed as a good teammate and now in his last days with the team that drafted him, paid him for 10 years, won a Super Bowl with, and went to another Super Bowl with, will be an act of boarder-line sabotage.

He knows the situation the Rams are in. He can’t be so blind that he just now realizes the team is in a hole with the cap. Btw, that hole was created so the team he plays on could have a Pro-Bowl quarterback, a multiple time Pro-Bowl tackle, a great running back and other players who were deemed to be essential to keeping his great team together. It failed and now he’s mad that he’s not in the plans.

He complained last year about not getting enough passes thrown his way and now he’s asking to be released when he knows the team is going to release him if they can’t trade him within the next 2 weeks.

You know tough times often show someone’s true colors. Holt was always an awesome teammate with a smile on his face when things were going great. Now that they’re not, he’s complained about his involvement and has made a request like this. I don’t like the feelings I got last night when I read his words. I didn’t like the feelings I got when I heard about him complaining in the middle of last season. Maybe I’m wrong but I’m just telling you how it looks and sounds to me.

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 5, 2009 12:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It is selfish, but I don't think it's wrong

Yes, it appears to be a given that the Rams will release Holt if they can’t trade him.

However, it’s not a given that, given the glut of high-profile receivers already released (and some, like Coles, snapped up), that the job he wants will be out there on the 17th.

While he may be effectively driving the last nail in the coffin of his trade possibilities, it’s not as though they were alive an kicking before now. He’s really just stating the obvious. And he wants out before his opportunities dry up.

"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 5, 2009 2:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i think your right

i think Holt has already picked his next team and that why he has asked for his release,Paton Manning propobly called him on his cell , lol ,he was trying to sway some recieveres at the Pro Bowl to go to INDI lol , but all in all i think they should release him , he has given this team his every thing, plus lets not forget his rooky year we won the Super Bowl and he was a Hero in the NFC championship game against TAMPABAY wen he plaid with a broken rib HOLT HAS BEEN A REAL CHAMPION so lets all Rams fans wish him the very best
TORY HOLT IS A CLASS ACT AS A NFL PLAYER AND AS A PERSON

by james535 on Mar 6, 2009 4:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

Probably my favorite player of all time, I’m just disappointed. I thought he was one of the leagues most classiest players, then you hear reports of him not wanting to restructure his contract and now wants to be released.

I mean it’s like finding out your father isn’t your real father!

And now he puts the team in this position, come on. Since its the NFL I’m sure we’ll trade him to the Giants or Pats for like a seventh rounder. Along with Pace.

It’ll be sad to see him go, but I too have lost respect for Torry Holt.

by cbritzzz on Mar 5, 2009 12:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Some people deal with the hard times worse

Let me offer a hypothetical look into the future; if we get this team turned around relatively quickly and Incognito goes on to be a productive guard and a team player, won’t his antics just be a result of the same kind of thing? A player who can be great with the good times but lacks consummate professionalism in the tough times?

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

by 3k on Mar 5, 2009 2:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well just think about his side of this

if you playd for LINEHAN you would be asking to be released too,what do you think Hold did not see how Zigmund and Linehan were destroing this team , i would ask for my release too if i was Holt, do you think you would want to stay? after being on a world class Rams team from 2000 / 2003, that team was the greatest show on earth, think about that Rams team and then Linehans team lol ha ha ha what a fucking joke that High school coach that Zigmund hired, any way dont be so fast to jump on Holt or any player that ask to be released from a team ,were just fans we dont know the details behind the seans , just be thankfull for that this player has given to us all, and say thank you Tory Holt , lol

by james535 on Mar 6, 2009 4:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

DRAFT PICK

at least,or a trade 4 need of some kind, we’ll c

by Magyar on Mar 4, 2009 11:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Cowboys need someone to replace Owens.

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

by srdmad on Mar 4, 2009 11:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

they already have his replacement

they traded for Roy Williams… what they need is someone to replace Wade Philips.

"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 5, 2009 12:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

burn

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

by sergey606 on Mar 5, 2009 1:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Let me rephase that.

Cowboys need someone to replace Williams.

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

by srdmad on Mar 5, 2009 11:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

oh realy ? lol

well good luck to the COWBOYS , Roy Williams is a dud

by james535 on Mar 6, 2009 4:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It sucks

Holt is my favorite player and maybe second all-time after Faulk. I know it’s better for him and for the Rams but it’s like when Raymond Bourque left the Bruins to win the cup with the Avs. Bruins fans were happy for him but they wished he had won in a Bruins uniform.

I think it’s sad when your leader and a Superbowl winner wants out. Bruce and Wilkins last year, now Holt and probably Pace soon, what’s left of the greatest show on turf?

by MathB on Mar 5, 2009 1:58 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

memories

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

by 3k on Mar 5, 2009 6:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

FWIW

I’m sad, too.

The Personal Finance Playbook.

by Toddius on Mar 5, 2009 10:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

funny you say that

I live in Boston, and i am a bruins fan and yes thats right all the fans were happy for Ray Bourque and he left with our blessing and went on to win his stanly cup championship with Colorado,but i am 50 years old and i have been a Rams fan since i was 5 , i love this team more then any one, but what is fair is fair, the players have rights too, there not just ponds to be used, we got many good years from Tory Holt, he deserves all our respect and all the love from us the Rams fans, Tory Holt will always be a Ram

by james535 on Mar 6, 2009 5:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wihtout Doubt

Holt established himself as one of the best receivers to ever dawn a Rams Uniform, and truly embedded his play in the memory of all who watched the teams more successful years. It really is too bad that neither he, nor the Rams can meet somewhere on a contract extension bringing his cap total down. I do think with the West Coast Style or something resembling it, he will be effective on the 8-12 yard routes. Additionally it would be nice to let him finish his career as a 100% career Ram.

That being said I do like the idea of getting his 8 million cap space freed so that we can pursue a MLB and draft the best T out there to create an uber line that will create massive running lanes and time to hit Donnie Avery, Kennan Burton, and who ever else we are throwing to. I do not think ridding our team of Pace is a good idea, again if we can acquire a MLB through FA, then strengthening our line so that it is a premier line would pay huge dividends and might get Bulger back to 80+rating QB, 20+ TD and hopefully less than 15 interceptions.

by No1Betta on Mar 5, 2009 2:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Holt

I would like to seeTory Holt get what ever he can for himself. How many years has it been since the Rams could take good advantage of their Wrs? 3, 4 5? That’s how many of Holt’s good last years that Rams management has wasted. Sure he was paid
well but don’t they deserve more than a paycheck and seeing the QB lying on the turf play after play. Yes he is not so young or fast anymore, but he paid his dues. I hope if he can’t stay here he goes somewhere where his talents are taken advantage of and we can see some of the old Tory on the high-lite-reels.

by ramsfan1999 on Mar 5, 2009 4:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

fair enough

But the old regime, who you and I agree is to blame for his frustration, is gone. It hardly seems fair to punish the new organization for the past one’s mistakes.

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

by 3k on Mar 5, 2009 4:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I Wonder If

Holt got injured, would he ask the team to still pay him, or ask for a contract restructuring?………..Nah, I just think he wouldnt get paid…………..I know, its for the good of the team, but a player is not obligated to restructure his contract, jusy like the team is not obligated to pay the player if he gets injured……………anyway, im just thinking out loud and have no strong opinion about it………

by JordansDad on Mar 6, 2009 4:08 AM CST reply actions 0 recs