Brandon Chillar heading to Green Bay

[Nick]

Chillar picks Green Bay
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/19/2008

Linebacker Brandon Chillar is headed to Green Bay. The Rams' starting strongside linebacker the past two seasons, Chillar has agreed to a two-year contract worth $5.2 million according to league sources. Incentive clauses in the contract could raise the value of the deal above $6 million.

Chillar, 25, also received offers from Arizona and the Rams. Chillar's departure leaves the Rams minus two starters from last season's club. The Rams released right end James Hall on the first weekend of the free agency periods.

[Rambos]

Just saw that, best of luck. Draft will have a great year. I read the Rams only offered a one year deal. They must think Draft is as good or better.

[KoaKoi]

They probably do think Draft is as good or better, problem is he's a lot older and doesn't have as much tread on the tires.

Well, now the Rams know, and now they can address the loss thru free agency or draft. There's no way the FO didn't plan for this contingency. They knew going in that Chillar might be lured away. Here's to hoping that Draft steps it up like he did in Carolina.

Who knows, maybe Culberson's on the verge of breaking out. (hey I'm a Rams fan, by definition i'm an optimist.....)

[chipperjones]

I for one think Draft is as good or better, and he showed it the year before last. He didnt get the chance last year, but will this year. Chillar is solid, but nothing more. I liked him, but this is a loss that if handled properly wont come back to bite us.

[laram0]

I say don't let the door hit you in the......on the way out.

[Rambos]

I for one think Draft is as good or better, and he showed it the year before last. He didnt get the chance last year, but will this year. Chillar is solid, but nothing more. I liked him, but this is a loss that if handled properly wont come back to bite us.

I agree... in 06 he had 111 tackles. Last year had 50 as a back up, I think he can match Chillar 65 as a starter. I'm gald we did not over pay him.

[Ramblin` Ram]

thanks for the service brandon,hope you enjoy sitting on a bench in Green Bay for 2 years!

[maineram]

If Draft was all that, he would have beaten out Chillar for his spot last year. Now another question mark for the upcoming season. If the Rams were in the running why didn't they put a halfway decent package together to keep him ? One year ??

Go Culberson we need you buddy !!!

Maineram - :x

[mde8352gorams]

I would rather see him in Green bay than twice each year in Arizona. not that I think he is so overly talented, but you never want old players who know the players on your team and can help gameplan against them.

I do wish him good luck and am glad we didn't overpay for him. I know draft will get the first look in camp, but I am eager to see what Culberson has in camp this July.

Go Rams!:r

[txramsfan]

The Rams D just lost one of it's most consistent players. I for one don't like losing Chillar, especially (in NFL Dollars) how cheap Green Bay got him. Draft is in his mid 30's, Chillar is 25.

Culberson was a bright spot last year, mainly on Special Teams. I hope he has the same fire playing at LB because the Rams will need him.

Man, we are thin there outside of Spoon.

[RealRam]

Chillar was developing fine with us, this could have been his year with the Rams.

No doubt, the move now becomes a great opportunity for Culberson.

[maineram]

Ditto TX !!!!!

[Ramer]

I'm sad to see Chillar go. But I do like Draft. I guess we will find out if it was a good move when the season starts..

[RamsfaninRI:(]

I think this was a very bad move to let him go. The last two years he has only gotten better. This is just another example of the FO letting any good young defensive talent they have stumbled upon. I just hope now pisa stays healthy this year, we are already so thin at LB and have too many other holes to fill in the draft.

[Nick]

Draft is in his mid 30's

He just turned 32.

I think there's a level of validity to the suggestion that Draft should have been starting over Chillar if he were in fact better. But the question becomes, is Chillar $5.2 million better than Draft? Meaning, is Chillar so much better than draft that you give him $5.2 million over two years to stay?

I think the answer is no, especially since we're talking about a strong-side linebacker who isn't going to be on the field all the time. Draft's contract over three years is still less than what Chillar signed for in two. Financially, if the difference between Draft and Chillar is minimal, why spend that money to bring Chillar back?

So Draft could move into the starting line-up, with Culberson serving as the back-up for either OLB spot. The Rams could also spend a mid round pick on an outside linebacker as well.