Already, this has been a year of transition because of franchise relocation and the Rams, with a young roster, have banked approximately $45 million in salary-cap space. They can spend freely starting Wednesday , when the NFL year officially begins and the free-agent signing period opens.
Under Coach Jeff Fisher and General Manager Les Snead, the Rams have been consistently mediocre, with records of 7-8-1, 7-9, 6-10 and 7-9. Since 2012, though, management has been building a core of young players. Is now the time to complement them with some higher-priced free agents?
“You want to tip and have that winning season,” Snead said recently. “We’ve been on the cusp for a couple.”
Spending for the sake of spending rarely works out well, but the Rams have the ability to target positions in need of an upgrade and the financial flexibility to out-bid competitors in the free-agent market.
First, the Rams must answer internal questions. They enter the day with 11 players who are unrestricted free agents, including six starters: center Tim Barnes, defensive end William Hayes, linebacker Mark Barron, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, safety Rodney McLeod and kicker Greg Zuerlein.
The Rams must also replace three veteran starters they cut last month: defensive end Chris Long, linebacker James Laurinaitis and tight end Jared Cook.
It’s possible that several of the free agents will return. They’ve been able, since Monday, to gauge their value on the open market during what the NFL cheekily calls a “legal tampering” period, during which pending free agents can negotiate with other teams.
The Rams hope several of those players will return, but if not, they face a potentially large restructure.
Defense has been the Rams’ clear strength in recent years, but the decision to cut Laurinaitis and Long meant the team would have to improve its depth among the front seven. Should the Rams also lose Hayes, Barron or backup linemen Nick Fairley and Eugene Sims, the situation would become even more urgent.
The Rams attempted to re-sign Jenkins but could not, then used the franchise-player tag on their other starting cornerback, Trumaine Johnson, and resigned themselves to the idea that Jenkins would hit the open market. He is likely to be a top cornerback target for several other teams.
There’s more certainty for the Rams on offense, where they know what spots need to be filled.
At the oft-discussed quarterback spot, the Rams could make a big splash by going after Brock Osweiler or Robert Griffin III, or go for the lower-profile Ryan Fitzpatrick or Chase Daniel. The Rams’ activity, when it comes to free-agent quarterbacks, could indicate whether they intend to draft one in the first round.
An upgrade at receiver is also possible. Beyond Tavon Austin, the Rams aren’t particularly deep or strong, but then again, neither is the free-agent class of receivers.
The most intriguing option might be Marvin Jones, who played at Etiwanda High in Rancho Cucamonga and Cal. Jones had 816 receiving yards for Cincinnati last season, and it will be interesting to see whether teams view Jones, 25, as a potential No. 1 receiver.
The Rams also must get six restricted free agents under contract – quarterback Case Keenum, running backs Benny Cunningham and Chase Reynolds, offensive lineman Brian Folkerts, linebacker Daren Bates and safety Cody Davis – and the future of backup running back Tre Mason remains uncertain. Mason was arrested Saturday and the Rams have not yet commented on his long-term status.
It’s already been a busy week in the NFL, with teams retaining potential free agents and agreeing to terms with those on other teams during the legal tampering period. Thus far, the Rams have been quiet, but given all the questions they face, that won’t be the case for long.
“Everybody is trying to find out what their realistic value is,” Snead said. “That’s why I do think it is a positive that we have that 48-hour period. … (Potential free agents) can come back and say, ‘This is what we’ve got,’ and you either say yes or no, or they may figure out that what we’ve been offering all along is the best deal.’’
Link : http://www.ocregister.com/articles/rams-707418-free-agents.html
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