2012 NFL Free Agency: Rams Offensive Free Agents

by Brick Top on Feb 16, 2012 3:06 PM CST

Yesterday, Eric put up a review of the Rams free agents on the defensive side of the ball. Today it has been put upon me to look into the offensive free agents.

A lot of decisions will have to be made with this group by Jeff Fisher and Les Snead. There are 4 exclusive rights free agents, one restricted free agent and 12 unrestricted free agents. After the jump I'll give my thought on what the Rams should do with each of them.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents

Tom Brandstater- Instead of using him when AJ Feeley was hurt, the Rams decided to sign a guy off of the street in Kellen Clemens. Needless to say he shouldn't be around next season.

Dominique Curry- The Man has been a great special teams ace for the Rams, but he has provided nothing as a WR. It would be hard to see him back in a Rams uniform, but he is still a guy who should be brought into training camp.

Bryan Mattison- He wouldn't cost much to keep. Give him the minimum contract and let him compete for a spot in training camp.

Brit Miller- he is a really good thumper, but he provides nothing else as a FB. Bring him into training camp to compete for the job.

Restricted Free Agent

Danny Amendola- he is a player whose impact is overrated in general. He is a good slot WR, but his production wouldn't be hard to replace. Amendola's replacement appears to already be on the roster in Greg Salas, but he is still young and inconsistent. The Rams should tender Danny and bring him back for at least one more year. His reliability will be very useful to Sam Bradford as he enters yet another offensive system.

Unrestricted Free Agents

Brandon Lloyd- The lone WR who could get open late in the season. Lloyd was the main bright spot on one of the worst offenses in NFL history. The Rams would like to bring Lloyd back, but there are other options out there who are younger in Vincent Jackson and Stevie Johnson. I say make an offer of 3 years at about 4.5 million a year for 3 years and if another team like the Patriots offer more, go in another direction.

AJ Feeley- it's time for him to go. He is no longer an effective backup and with Bradford's injuries last season, the Rams can't afford to have a backup QB whose really just a coach for Sam.

Jerious Norwood- he is a RB who depends on speed who isn't fast anymore. Let him walk.

Cadillac Williams- he was very effective at times last season, but he has been very injury prone. It seems likely the Rams will draft a RB so it seems like it would be best to let him walk.

Kellen Clemens- He played very well last season when you consider how little time he actually spent with the offense. He also has experience in Brian Schottenheimer's offense. He should be resigned as the backup QB.

Mark Clayton- He is a solid player, but the injuries make him not worth resigning.

Billy Bajema- he is a blocking specialist TE who can't block. Good bye.

Stephen Spach- He is a journeymen TE who was brought in because of injuries last season. It's time for him to make a trip to another team.

Adam Goldberg- He gets a lot of criticism, but he can play basically any position on the line at an okay level of play. Bring him back on a cheep one or two year deal.

Mark LeVoir- give him a minimum contract and let him compete in camp for a spot.

Tony Wragge- he was decent as a starting center last season. He is a tough nasty player and would be good to keep around as a backup interior linemen.

Jacob Bell- This is by far the hardest free agent to judge. We all know what he gives the Rams: solid pass protection but sub-par run blocking. He received a huge contract from the Rams after playing ver well with Jeff Fisher's Titans so maybe Fisher could resurrect his career, but there are many guards out there that are better, but the Rams may not have the cap space to sign them and be able to fill other needs. Overall, I would say let him walk and either draft a new guard or sign a free agent like Carl Nicks or Ben Grubbs. Bell is a good pass blocker, but with an offense that will be dependent on the run, the Rams need better run blocking from the interior.

Thanks for reading.

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Comments

Can they kick Norwood in the ass as he's walking out the door? please?

Haikus are easy,
but sometimes they don't make sense.
Refrigerator.

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by sergey606 on Feb 16, 2012 3:25 PM CST reply actions

Please

Can Bajema kick him. Bajema hasn’t hit anything all year.

"Can you count suckers?!" - Cyrus, The Warriors 1979

by MOOSERAM13 on Feb 16, 2012 4:03 PM CST reply actions

I tend to disagree on Danny Amendola.

I’ve always liked the guy and other than his freak injury he’s been tough as nails which is saying a lot considering the crew of other recievers we have that are continuously getting injured. I also think he’s been one of the more reliable recievers Bradford has had and in a pinch he can play a dual role with his ball return skills. Having more than one skill is a definate plus in this league even if that’s not his best role.

As far as Mark Clayton, lets see just how much we can get him for before casting him out. When he’s healthy, he’s been a go to guy for Bradford and it’s worth seeing how he comes back from his most recent injury.

I think you’ve made the right move for the Rams with the rest of your calls and agree whole-heartedly.

Go Rams!

"We can't run. We can't pass. We can't stop the run. We can't stop the pass. We can't kick. Other than that, we're just not a very good football team right now." --- Bruce Coslett, New York Jets Head Coach circa 1990s

by Nbr1RamFan on Feb 16, 2012 4:31 PM CST reply actions

that injury on Clayton was 2 seasons ago

He was supposed to be back last season but couldnt get healthy. His career is dwindling.

by richter122 on Feb 16, 2012 5:25 PM CST up reply actions

I'd keep Caddy

His contract was only for $685,000 last year and I wouldn’t say that he outperformed that, so the pay should be similar. He did show some flashes (really early on in the season, of course). Obviously, the coaching staff knows more about his durability than I do….

And I’m not saying this because I don’t think we should draft a RB. I’d like to see us still get a young stud in the draft

by DCRamFan on Feb 16, 2012 5:12 PM CST reply actions

agreed

He performed just the way any backup should. Our O-line didn’t help much either. He’ll be a good backup.

by onlyK on Feb 16, 2012 5:52 PM CST up reply actions

I rather have a younger guy

than a guy who got hurt walking on the practice field.

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

by Brick Top on Feb 16, 2012 6:32 PM CST up reply actions

meaning in the draft?

or via FA?

….my point was just that we could keep him on at the price, utilize him less (as opposed to relying on him as a starter), and hopefully get a steal in the draft who could utilized more as our #2 as the season progresses

by DCRamFan on Feb 16, 2012 6:35 PM CST up reply actions

Just to be a devil's advocate,

who was the QB when the Rams had their highest scoring game of the year and beat the Saints? It wasn’t Sam and it wasn’t Clemons. Why does everyone say he isn’t effective?

by andyhawk on Feb 16, 2012 8:21 PM CST reply actions

That was one of the few games that I kept & relive for 2011!

Danny is a typical fisher player. He can play any position & be hard nose about it. A J was the QB that put it to the saints, your memory isn’t that good or is it just selective. TE Spach went to the SB with the cards/WARNER.

what is wrong with Brick Top thinking.
You’re looking for attitude aren’t you??

J FISHER ... BRILLIANT...!

Go RAMs !!!

by VETT on Feb 17, 2012 4:24 AM CST up reply actions

Spach went to the SB....oh wait I forgot that means he's good

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

by Brick Top on Feb 17, 2012 8:49 AM CST up reply actions

Danny Amendola Is Overrated?

Are you on Drugs? He was 5th with 85 receptions in the NFC in 2010 & that was more than Calvin Johnson & Brandon Lloyd. Yes with a 8.1 per catch with 4.6 yac that’s
pretty good. Along with special teams and only 1 fumble for a loss he’s a Football player.
Kellen Clemens SUCKS with a Capitol S. Get rid of him Quick

by Steven M. on Feb 16, 2012 9:45 PM CST reply actions

8.1 yards per catch is horrible

he is just a decent slot receiver. Nothing more.

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

by Brick Top on Feb 16, 2012 10:24 PM CST up reply actions

SO

J FISHER ... BRILLIANT...!

Go RAMs !!!

by VETT on Feb 17, 2012 4:25 AM CST up reply actions

AGAIN

Yes only 8.1 yards per catch because it’s so hard to setup a defensive scheme against an offense whose #1 WR is a slot reciever. Matter of fact the only help that slot reciever has is your RB I mean why not play you CB and Safeties in while your LB are watching the middle of the field.

Yet for some reason in only 2 years he still pulls off nice numbers not great but nice, in a HORRIBLE offense. Man you’r right he is just average lets get rid of his ass (as I say that in a sarcastic voice).

Just a man who loves football

by BurnoutJoeB. on Feb 17, 2012 8:22 AM CST up reply actions