The Curious Case of James Butler

by Ryan Van Bibber on Mar 9, 2009 8:36 AM CDT in 2009 Off-Season

The pace of free agency has officially slowed to crawl. However, the Rams have a few shoes ready to drop in the next week or two, moves like what to do with Torry Holt that will start to flavor the team for the '09 season and the years ahead.

The James Butler saga is starting to seem like the Minnesota Senate race, dragging on to the point of being overlooked and forgotten. I'm dying to see the Rams get a deal with Butler done, but it's gone on long enough to make you wonder. According to the PD's Jim Thomas, the Rams and Butler are still working on a deal, and you'll noticed Butler isn't visiting with other teams. Part of the holdup could be looming decisions on cap space...it could also be the notorious Poston brothers.

In scenario form:
Billy Devaney: "Let us resolve the situation with Holt, then we'll get a deal done...at the price we've already agreed to."

I'm really surprised their not working a few more lines, trying to get the price up. Makes you wonder if Butler hasn't said plainly, that he has no intention of playing anywhere else besides St. Louis with Spagnuolo, whom he's hinted at reuniting with for some time. Roy Williams has suitors; why doesn't Butler? That might be a pretty big clue.

The Rams would seem to have a genuine interest in Butler; he is the only candidate they've openly discussed to fill a gaping hole at strong safety. Should they move on, ask someone else? It's like trying to get a prom date: you don't want to risk it with the ideal candidate, but you don't want to spend the evening with the cheapest 12 pack someone will buy for you either. That said, I'm beginning to wonder if the team shouldn't consider the recently released former Cowboys SS Roy Williams as a consolation prize - definitely a consolation prize. He'd be a good fix for the defense's run stopping problems from last season, but a huge risk in coverage. The coverage thing could be an issue given the Rams cornerback situation.

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If nothing else, I have faith in the new front office's ability to land targets

J. Brown & Bartell make us 2/2, and a strong 2 for 2. Whatever pitch we’re making is working. I think they’re just waiting until the 17th (or earlier) when we unload Holt and have some room to deal with so we can get Butler on board.

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

by 3k on Mar 9, 2009 9:09 AM CDT reply actions

It all kind of depends on the stuff we don't know.

I think you’re right Van that Butler has said he will only play for the Rams and his agents (I didn’t realize with was the Poston’s so this all makes sense) are dragging their feet and don’t want their other clients or teams or future clients to know that they’re entirely powerless in this situation.

(btw, is there really a more useless group of agents in all of professional sports?)

Now, if Butler hasn’t said this or there’s some degree of doubt they’ll be able to sign him, then at the very least they should be scheduling visits and interviews just to put pressure on him and his agents.

But you really can’t do this if he’s given his word and is apparently sticking to it but at some point, enough is enough.

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 9, 2009 11:45 AM CDT reply actions

Everything's waiting on Holt and Pace

There won’t be any positive movement till Holt and Pace are gone and cap money is freed up. Nobody’s gonna trade for these guys because they know ultimately the Rams are going to release both veteran highly-paid players. Notice that the Rams’ 15 unrestricted free agents ain’t being heavily sought after either. Nobody seems to want players whose team was 3-13 and 2-14 the last two seasons, respectively. What’s up with that…?

by edpjr on Mar 9, 2009 6:45 PM CDT reply actions