Free agent rumor and speculation is going to be gushing out the interwebs' pores this week with the free agent frenzy set to kick off Friday. Just a few hours into the business day and we've got our second Rams-related rumor, again involving, who else, the Eagles. So which backup running back are the Rams said to be expressing interest in?
Why, that would be 5-time denizen of the PUP and IR list Correll Buckhalter. Courtesy of Bleeding Green Nation reporting a story from Comcast Sports (actually this one popped up over the weekend):
A league source has informed Comcast SportsNet’s Derrick Gunn that at least 12 teams have shown interest in Buckhalter, who becomes an unrestricted free agent on Feb. 27.
The Giants, Rams, Titans, Broncos, Texans, Lions, Buccaneers and Jaguars have expressed the most interest. Selected in the fourth round of the 2001 draft, the 30-year-old Buckhalter has spent his entire career with the Eagles – but has started only 16 games.
Buckhalter has speed, but he's also 30 and chronically injured. He would definitely be more of a backup than a committee running back. That begs the question of just how much wear and tear Buckhalter can really save Steven Jackson. Of course, if the Rams mix in more from Kenneth Darby, then Buckhalter wouldn't need to account for as many reps in a three member running back committee.
Before you throw your coffee mug across the room, remember that this "interest" is, as the BGN post points out, most likely Buckhalter's agent, trying to drum up interest and drive up price for his client. "Interest" comes in varying degrees.