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Random Ramsdom: March 5: St. Louis Rams - The Eve Of Free Agency

The new league year begins in 6 days. March 11 also signifies the opening of the free agency signing period. Who will the Rams re-sign from their own free agents? Will they pursue free agents from other teams? Are Harvey Dahl, Cortland Finnegan, and Scott Wells safe from becoming cap casualties?

By Frank "Dubs" Dobozy

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A good sign for the Rams. The larger the supply, the better the chances are for re-signing Rodger Saffold at a reasonable cost...or finding a replacement in the free agent market:

I would take this news with a grain of salt. Unlike the past two years, the Rams are well under the cap at this point in time (due to the large increase in the NFL salary cap). They have to be compliant with the off season salary cap provisions by next Tuesday at 4pm. The Rams are not forced to release anyone to get under the cap by that date:

Expected salary cap increases in the next two years sets the Rams up very nicely for future re-signings:

Classy gesture by Cortland Finnegan upon hearing the news of his release:

For those wanting an idea of what CB Alterraun Verner may cost (over $9 million?):

A good sign...or a bad sign for the Rams, if looking to trade down the #2 pick in the draft?:

NFL Draft: Top Ten Offensive Tackles: USA Today

Greg Robinson heads this listing of the top ten OT's in the upcoming draft. Will the Rams select one of them?

Scout on Clowney: Wouldn't put my job on line for him: NFL.com

As we inch closer to the draft, the number of Jadeveon Clowney doubters continues to grow. As do the admirers.

2014 NFL Draft Big Board 4.0: Sports Illustrated

Chris Burke offers up his latest top 40 big board for the upcoming draft.

2014 NFL free agent rankings - defence and special teams: Shutdown Corner

2014 NFL free agent rankings - offence: Shutdown Corner

Shutdown Corner ranks the top players eligible to become free agents on March 11. Will the Rams be active players in this years free agent market?

Draft Prospects Highlight Reel: LB - Khalil Mack - Buffalo

Ultimate Khalil Mack Highlights | HD (via Csonka Péter)

Fisher & Snead Discuss Rams Needs - Video: Rams News Now

Jeff Fisher and Les Snead talk one-on-one with PFT's Mike Florio.

Will the Rams re-sign Rodger Saffold?: Ramblin' Fan

The whole Rams' off season appears to be revolving around the fate of offensive lineman Rodger Saffold. Will the Rams re-sign him? The odds are no better than 50-50.

Top 101 NFL free agents for 2014: NFL.com

It appears to be a very deep free agent class this year, especially at the safety position. Will the Rams be active in free agency this year?

Colin Kaepernick looking for $18 million per year from the 49'ers: S.I. Wire

It was only a matter of time before the Niners' and Seahawks' salary cap situations became a little tighter. The playing field is about to be levelled in the next couple years. Good news for the Rams.

Former Rams coach Mike Martz weighs in with his thoughts on the draft, and Sam Bradford.

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No cap crisis for Rams: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

A lot of misinformation is provided regarding the salary cap at this time of the year. Jim Thomas joined in doing so with this article. He is close to the correct figure initially, then misinterprets what he found out:

"According to figures filed with the NFL Players Association, the Rams are about $6½ million below the salary cap figure based on an offseason roster that includes 57 players either under contract or tendered as exclusive-rights free agents.

But when free agency starts next Tuesday, each team must count only its 51 highest-paid players against the cap. So that raises the Rams’ cap room to about $9½ million — more than enough space to get things started in the offseason."

The correct figures were provided in my major cap space update article last week (link).

Jim Thomas' Rams Chat Highlights - March 4: Rams News Now

Thomas manages to back track on his previous assertions regarding the salary cap:

"The $10 million of cap space I tweeted about on Friday was based on NFLPA figures, which are normally very reliable. But I’ve also seen $7-8 million floated out there by normally reliable sources as well. But yes, I think both Verner and Saffold can be done."

The NFLPA figures are correct. He just misinterpreted them. The actual figure is $7,317,233, which is decreased by $504,000 (accrued workout bonus charges) next Tuesday. That brings the correct figure down to $6,813,233, if no moves are made by the Rams before next Tuesday.

What the salary cap raise means for the St. Louis Rams: Ramblin' Fan

Well, at least Nathan Kearns has the figures correct, as does Over The Cap.

NFL free agency risks: S.I. MMQB

"Buyer Beware" is the key for teams contemplating adding players through free agency. The Rams have had mixed results in adding free agents over the past two years.

2014 Team Needs: St. Louis Rams: Pro Football Focus

PFF examines the Rams' 2014 off season, especially their needs, heading into the new league year.

2014 NFL Mock Draft: CBS Sports

Pat Kirwan offers his latest mock draft. It features the Rams trading down the #2 selection to the Cleveland Browns.

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2014 NFL Mock Draft: Los Angeles Times

Sam Farmer shares his latest mock draft. The Rams select OT Greg Robinson and WR Mike Evans.

Pair of safeties on Rams' radar: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Rams will be taking long looks at Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix and Calvin Pryor with the #13 selection in the upcoming NFL draft.

How good are teams at picking the best?: New York Times

The Times examines the notion of success in the NFL draft, from 1995 to 2012.

Is Kendall Langford Underrated?: Ramblin' Fan

Langford made the difficult adjustment from 3-4 DE to 4-3 DT since being signed by the Rams. He's shown steady improvement in two seasons with the Rams, and is now an integral part of the DL's success.

Free Agency Preview: Breaking Down The Top 25 Players: Yahoo Sports

Shutdown Corner conducts an in-depth analysis of the top 25 pending free agents. See any names that belong in the horns?

Recent history of the top offensive tackles in the NFL Draft: Ramblin' Fan

Nathan Kearns examines the impacts of recent top OL draftees. Should the Rams select an offensive tackle with the #2 selection in the NFL draft?

Rams make qualifying offers to 3 Exclusive Rights Free Agents: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Justin Veltung, Tim Barnes, and Austin Davis were all given tender offers as ERFA's today. All tenders for restricted and exclusive rights free agents must be made before Tuesday at 4pm.

Mike Mayock's Position Rankings For The 2014 NFL Draft: NFL.com

Mayock presents his updated top 5 positional rankings for the 2014 NFL draft.

According Marc Lillibridge, Rodger Saffold dictates the Rams direction this off season and for the next 3-4 years.

Blast From The Past: Classic Rock Wednesday: Janis Joplin - Me And Bobby McGee

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Janis Joplin - Me and Bobby McG (via m0thman666)

Please have a great Wednesday and a Ramtastic week!

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