Less than 24 hours into free agency and the St. Louis Rams have already spent at least $50 million. They acquired former Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan and are close to a deal with defensive tackle Jason Jones. Based on the interest the team has shown in other players, they are not done adding new names to the roster.
At 11 a.m. the Rams have a press conference. I suspect it will be an interesting one.
Not to rain on your parade, but the Rams were pretty active in free agency last year too. Things did not work out so well, but it was hardly because Harvey Dahl and Quintin Mikell failed, their two biggest additions, failed.
The difference between this year's free agent frenzy and last year's is significant. Billy Devaney and Steve Spagnuolo went out of got veteran players as part of an effort to win in 2011. They went all-in with a heaping helping of one-year contracts and a few longer-term deals. Injuries and internal strife sunk the team.
Since January, the Rams have set about remaking themselves. Hiring Jeff Fisher was the starting point, and he quickly went to work adding proven leadership with a history of turning around players and teams. A joke around the league, the Rams are remaking themselves as a team with something to prove, a team with a chip on their shoulder. The Finnegan and Jones additions fit perfectly with the hiring of guys like Gregg Williams (yes, there are issues here), defensive backs coach Chuck Cecil and assistant head coach Dave McGinnis.
I doubt anyone sees these additions as a free pass to the Super Bowl. They will make the team better, particularly on defense where they already have a good start.
While we wait for the presser and more free agent new, I'll turn it over to you. What do you think about the moves the Rams have made so far? What moves would you like to see them make? What kind of grade would you give them? And what kind impact will it have on the Rams this season?