Rams Position Review: Quarterback

by Ryan Van Bibber on Feb 5, 2008 10:57 AM CST in News

Things are relatively settled at QB for the Rams. We've got our starter in Marc Bulger, a starter the team's invested in quite heavily. If the o-line isn't fixed and a blocking fullback isn't added, Bulger's a lost investment...any QB would be.

The issue for the Rams at QB is the backup.

Did anyone catch this hidden gem in Bernie Miklasz' PD column from Saturday, Feb 2?

There's some speculation that Saunders is interested in signing his Redskins quarterback, Todd Collins, to be the No. 2 behind Marc Bulger next season.

I'm ambivalent about Gus Frerotte. He's probably fine as a backup, as long as the other parts - i.e. the blocking - of the offense are working. However, Frerotte's got a $2.6 million cap value for the coming season. He's off the books after that. I'd rather save some of that money, at least a million, for other team needs.

Todd Collins cost the Redskins $1.475 million in cap space last season, all but $275K of that being salary. No telling whether or not he'd play for a similar deal. In terms of cap value, the Rams likely wouldn't get the full difference between Collins and Frerotte, since much of Gus' cap value comes from his signing bonus in 2006. Still, a few pennies here a couple hundred thousand there, and you've got enough cap space to make an important move.

The other benefit Collins offers is that he's a Saunders guy. Played for Saunders in Kansas City before coming to the Redskins in 2007. The backup filled in admirably for an injured Jason Campbell this season. He knows Saunders' offense pretty well, which could be a plus if the Rams get into a situation where they need to employ their backup QB.

The 49ers just paid a QB $2 million per season, signing Shaun Hill to a 3 year deal. He'll compete with Alex Smith for the starting job. Oh how the wonder boy's stock has fallen. Hill compares himself to Marc Bulger in the article linked above, noting his excitement about playing for SF's new offensive coordinator, Mike Martz. Niners fans seem to like the deal too, at least the part about forcing Smith to compete for his job.

For now at least, the Rams are set at starting QB. Hopefully, sack after sack after sack didn't completely destroy Marc Bulger, who's still in his prime years and playing on an expensive contract. If the line and the other blocking components, such as the fullback and tight ends, aren't ironed out this offseason, Bulger might face some serious problems. And the Rams would be left with a tackle dummy at starting QB.

Here's Bulger's cap value for the remainder of his contract.

$9M
$8.5M
$10.5M
$11M
$11M
$11.5M

Protecting the investment is job one, but the team needs to start keeping their eyes out for a replacement. No need for a first round pick at this point. Late rounds, young guys exiled to the scrap heap too soon are the best options at this point.

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greater than

Todd Collins > Gus Ferrotte

Do it Al.

by jroman on Feb 5, 2008 12:09 PM CST reply actions

probably worth it

even if the salaries are a push

by Ryan Van Bibber on Feb 5, 2008 1:43 PM CST up reply actions

I kind of

feel bad for Gus Frerrote. He was thrust into a decidedly unenviable position last season; the O-line might have well have been cardboard cutouts. I'm sure he was feeling the pressure from all sides.

Still, NFL quarterbacks are expected to be able to handle those types of things. In 167 attempts, he threw for 7 touchdowns and 12 INTs, for a whopping QB rating of 58.3.

I honestly don't know what to think about him; given an average line, he may be perfectly adequate.

I'm a little biased against him though, just because he's a FOSL. The less Linehan influence is felt, the better.

by ViperLjs on Feb 5, 2008 6:15 PM CST reply actions

I hear ya.

Personally, I kinda like Gus. I think he's a good quarterback (back-up) and serves his roll fine. Although I do want to disagree with you when you say "NFL quarterbacks are expected to handle those types of things". No they are not. I don't care if you are Tom Brady, Brett Favre or Peyton Manning (or Eli for that matter). If you have a line as bad as the Rams line last season, you are going to struggle and struggle mightily.

As for Gus being a FOSL, I agree with you here. And if the money works out that we'd be either saving money or at least breaking even, I think it's worth the move to Collins. Simply put, he's a better quarterback. However, I don't think he's so much better that it's worth losing money on. So if it works out that by cutting Gus and signing Collins, they'd be losing money then I'd just stick with Gus for one more year.

by Big Red on Feb 5, 2008 7:36 PM CST up reply actions