20 Questions for the Rams this Offseason

In no particular order...

1. Will the Rams reach a deal to upgrade the EJD and ensure the team's longevity in St. Louis?

2. Whill the Rams hire a defensive coordinator, or merely promote from within?

3. Will the Rams re-sign Steven Jackson?

4. Will the Rams re-sign Danny Amendola?

5. Willl the Rams re-sign William Hayes?

6. Will the Rams re-sign Robert Turner?

7. Will the Rams cut any veterans, or rework contracts, to clear cap space?

8. Will the Rams sign any "first tier" free agents?

9. Will the Rams sign any quality depth players through free agency?

10. Will the Rams re-sign Brandon Gibson?

11. Will the Rams re-sign Bradley Fletcher?

12. Will the Rams make any pre-draft trades?

13. Who will the Rams invite for pre-draft visits?

14. Who will the Rams draft?

15. Will the Rams make any draft weekend trades?

16. How will injured players like Harvey Dahl and Rok Watkins progress this offseason?

17. Will the Rams be scheduled for any night games in 2013?

18. Who will be this year's surprise of training camp?

19. Will the Rams make any surprising cuts during preseason?

20. What will the itinerary be for the 2013 Bash?

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7. Will the Rams cut any veterans, or rework contracts, to clear cap space?

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Here is a list of where the bulk of the Rams money is tied up. I only see three players that can redo deals. Steven Jackson, Quintin Mikell and Wayne Hunter. Most of these guys just did there deals last year not sure we are going to come back and ask for a new deal. I don't think Sam can redo his deal until next year is over. I did not know the Rams made such a commitment to Wayne Hunter four years.


Sam Bradford Quarterback 7/30/2010: Signed a six-year, $78 million contract. The deal contains $50 million guaranteed, including his base salaries in years one through four, a $2.88 million first-year roster bonus, and a second-year "signing" bonus of $17.974 million. Another $8 million is available through incentives based on playoff, Super Bowl, and Pro Bowl appearances. 2013: $9 million, 2014: $14.015 million, 2015: $12.985 million, 2016: Free Agent

Steven Jackson Running Back 2013: $7 million (Voidable Year), 2014: Free Agent

Scott Wells Center 3/16/2012: Singed a four-year, $24 million contract. The deal contains $13 million guaranteed -- a $4 million signing bonus and all of Wells' 2012 and 2013 base salaries. Another $1.5 million is available through escalators. 2013-2015: $5.5 million, 2016: Free Agent

Quintin Mikell Defensive Back 7/29/2011: Signed a four-year, $27 million contract. The deal contains $14 million guaranteed, including a $4 million signing bonus and all of Mikell's first two base salaries. 2013: $6 million, 2014: $7 million, 2015: Free Agent

Chris Long Defensive Lineman 7/29/2012: Signed a five-year, $60.31 million contract. The deal contains $36.76 million guaranteed, including a $6.05 million signing bonus and each of Long's first two base salaries. 2013: $13.25 million, 2014: $13.2 million, 2015: $8 million (+ $2 million roster bonus due in March), 2016: $9.75 million (+ $2 million roster bonus due in March), 2017: Free Agen

James Laurinaitis Linebacker 9/8/2012: Signed a six-year, $42.12 million contract. The deal contains $23.62 million guaranteed, including a $2 million signing bonus. 2013: $1 million (+ $11 million roster bonus), 2014: $10 million, 2015: $3.625 million, 2016: $5.775 million, 2017: $6.1 million (+ $2 million roster bonus due in March), 2018: Free Agent

Wayne Hunter Tackle 7/26/2011: Signed a four-year, $12.9 million contract. The deal contains $5 million guaranteed, including a first-year roster bonus of $1 million and Hunter's 2011 and 2012 base salaries. An annual $50,000 workout bonus is available in years two through four. 2013: $3.95 million, 2014: $2.95 million, 2015: Free Agent

Cortland Finnegan Defensive Back 3/13/2012: Signed a five-year, $50 million contract. The deal contains $27 million guaranteed, including a $5 million signing bonus and all of Finnegan's 2012 and 2013 base salaries. Another $1.25 million is available via a final-year salary escalator. 2013: $9 million (+ $5 million roster bonus), 2014: $6 million (+ $3 million roster bonus), 2015: $8 million, 2016: $7 million (+ $2 million roster bonus), 2017: Free Agent

Harvey Dahl Guard 7/29/2011: Signed a four-year, $16 million contract. The deal included an initial roster bonus of $3 million. 2013: $4 million, 2014: $3.5 million (+ $500,000 roster bonus), 2015: Free Agent

Kendall Langford Defensive Lineman 3/17/2012: Signed a four-year, $24 million contract. The deal contains $12 million guaranteed, including a $4 million signing bonus. 2013-2014: $5 million, 2015: $6 million, 2016: Free Agent

I would like to see the Rams draft the best available offensive lineman, and then with their second pick in the first round Tyler Eifert TE. I have watched quite a bit of film with Tyler Eifert making catch after catch, and protecting the ball. He runs great routes and he does not drop balls. He can use some work on blocking, and I would like to see him break more tackles, but as a clutch red zone reciever, I couldn't ask for more. Don't believe me. Go on Youtube and watch several of him games and highlights. What you will see is a Tight End who runs great routes, never drops a pass, but doesn't break tackles.

I think the commitment to Hunter was made by the Jets and the Rams took it in the trade. But I think he's first to be cut not restructured.

So what are the cap ramifications of cutting anyone? Hunter seems like the most expendable. Whats the cap hit for cutting him? Wouldn't mind keeping most of these guys. But some need to redo their contracts to make it happen.