SAFETY SITUATION

by RAMpage87 on May 17, 2011 9:40 AM CDT

VIA ESPN.com-

The St. Louis Rams suffered a tough loss in Week 17 to the Seattle Seahawks, bumping them out of the playoffs. Then they suffered another loss earlier this offseason, when Oshiomogho Atogwe was released and elected to sign with the Washington Redskins. Once free agent acquisitions are allowed, it's expected that the team will at least investigate some options at the position, and many believe they'll sign a player to fill the role.

Tony Softli of 101 ESPN Radio (St. Louis) ran down a list of six potential signees at the position, including Eric Weddle, Dawan Landry, Gerald Sensabaugh, Danieal Manning, Quintin Mikell and Dashon Goldson. Weddle, Landry, Manning and Goldson would be restricted free agents under the 2010 rules on free agency, but unrestricted otherwise, whereas the other two are at or above the six-year service commitment.

From that group of six, Softli singles Mikell out as the "most complete safety on my board. He excels both in run support and pass coverage. Good tackler in both open and tight space with collision tackling skills and production. His football instincts put him in position with good coverage skills and he still has range to help corners on edge." But given that Mikell will turn 31-years-old between Week 1 and 2 (if the season kicks off on time), the Rams' interest may be lessened.

Other free agent safeties (of both varieties) unmentioned by Softli include Michael Huff, Roman Harper, Darren Sharper, Atari Bigby, Bernard Pollard and Melvin Bullitt.

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Huff and Bullitt

Get my vote. I have never like Mikell and he is going to want OJ Atogwe money, and Togs is way better then him. So if the Rams pay Mikell instead of Atogwe, I am really going to be disappointed..

Daniel Manning and Goldson would be nice pick ups too.

Sam Bradford + Julio Jones = Championships all day...
Melo + Amar'e = NBA Championships all day...

by MyACLisBrittle on May 17, 2011 11:42 AM CDT reply actions

On the D side of the ball, Safety is my biggest concern

I don’t think Mikell will command Atogwe money, but he won’t be cheap. If NO doesn’t keep Sharper, he may be a good alternative. He could help bring along some our late round picks too.

by Douglas M on May 17, 2011 11:59 AM CDT reply actions

My pick has to be Huff

He has really improved in his coverage over the last two seasons.
I know that Oakland fans have been disappointed in the former 1st rounder, but that is all relative. If we could bring in this young safety, that is still growing, for a reasonable amount…it has to be a no-brainer.
I like Mikell, but I have a feeling he will be a common target and someone will overpay for his services.
I think that Huff will continue to improve and over time make his way as a top 10 safety.

by CaliRamMan on May 17, 2011 12:08 PM CDT reply actions

agree i like huff

oakland had a solid secondary and huff was a good part of it

by caliramsfan1 on May 17, 2011 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Huff = Contract year

Be wary of players playing for their next contract.

by 81 Witness on May 17, 2011 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Very, very true!

by Douglas M on May 17, 2011 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions

The thing with Huff is that he has shown improvement since he entered the league

This wasn’t a one year gaff, that coincided with his contract year. Being in Nor Cal, I have been fortunate/unfortunate enough to watch the Raiders play every Sunday.
I am confident that Huff will not just disappear when signed this year.

by CaliRamMan on May 18, 2011 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions

WEDDLE

I think eric weddle fits the mold well in a spags system, but i dont know what we would have to pay for him

by RAMpage87 on May 17, 2011 12:12 PM CDT reply actions

We're sick puppies at safety and OLB and DT. Pick any of those mentioned that will play for us.

A very good point was made about “contract years.” I hate to hear the mention of contract with respect to the Rams. It usually means we overpaid ala Bulger, Bennett, Bell, Smith, etc. or that we let somebody like Brandon Chillar or Atog walk….

by RamChop on May 17, 2011 7:03 PM CDT reply actions

I agree that some of those players are overpaid

but sometimes that is the way of football no? I mean we sure aren’t the only team without overpaid players. I mean yes it would be nice to not have that, but it wouldn’t be the norm I guess. And man you REALLY don’t like smith do you? Nearly every post I see you talk about how overpaid he is. Personally I think he is pretty good and nowadays right tackle is as important as a right tackle so being “overpaid” as a right tackle I think is disapearing

Seahags, seachickens, scumbags, seabitches, seafags, seasucks, anyone else got more names?

by kylew1 on May 17, 2011 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions

what some people fail to realize

is that we are not the only ones that know Huff is a good and improving player. I guarantee other teams looking for safeties know this too. He won’t come as cheap or as easily as most people think he will

Seahags, seachickens, scumbags, seabitches, seafags, seasucks, anyone else got more names?

by kylew1 on May 17, 2011 8:21 PM CDT reply actions

I think that was why this statement was made

If we could bring in this young safety, that is still growing, for a reasonable amount…

by CaliRamMan on May 18, 2011 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions

While Mikell is excellent

I bet he’d want more money than Atogwe, or pretty much any of these guys would. Leaves me to beg the question should we sign one, why didn’t we re-sign OJ?

Thinking about the loss of OJ just makes me feel real sad inside.

Bradford to Onobun!

by Infemous on May 17, 2011 8:29 PM CDT reply actions

Softli also talked about OLB

and the names he had at the top of his list were McIntosh and Anderson. Getting one or both of those guys would sure help the defense, wouldn’t it?

by andyhawk on May 17, 2011 11:33 PM CDT reply actions

YES!

But Anderson is a SLB, and while the Rams certainly could use 2 OLBs, I think the greatest need is at WLB. Thus, McIntosh would be a GREAT signing, as he was also a former Walter Payton Award nominee, which is given to a player in recognition of both community service and on-field play.

by mcihaelT on May 18, 2011 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions