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Chillar to pick a team soon
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/19/2008
Free-agent linebacker
Brandon Chillar will make a decision today on his next team, according to his agent, Brian Mackler.
Mackler provided no further details, but league sources say Arizona, Green Bay and the Rams all have made offers and that the Rams very much remain in the running to retain Chillar.
The Rams are believed to be offering a one-year deal, while Arizona and Green Bay are offering multi-year deals. Chillar, 25, was a fourth-round draft pick by the Rams in 2004 out of UCLA. He was a part-time starter in 2004 and 2005 but has been the Rams' starting strongside linebacker the past two seasons.
There is plenty of sentiment at Rams Park toward keeping Chillar because of his youth and his improvement the past two seasons under defensive coordinator
Jim Haslett and linebackers coach Rick Venturi. Chillar may never be a star in the NFL, but he has developed into a solid linebacker who rarely misses a tackle.
Last season, Chillar registered career highs in tackles (85), sacks (2 1/2) and forced fumbles (three). While recognizing Chillar's value, the Rams have approached his re-signing knowing that they can't go overboard with a contract offer; they're only in decent cap shape and have more pressing needs at several other positions. They also already have nearly $58 million committed in contracts to starting linebackers
Will Witherspoon and
Pisa Tinoisamoa.
Arizona was thought to be the front-runner for Chillar, who apparently would like to play on the West Coast if he doesn't return to St. Louis. But the Cardinals have had cap issues much of the offseason because of complications arising from wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald's contract.
On Tuesday, several Rams officials, including coach
Scott Linehan, were in Charlottesville, Va., attending the "pro day" workout of Virginia defensive end Chris Long. Long is one of the leading candidates to be taken at No. 2 overall in the NFL draft by the Rams.
Meanwhile, quarterback Gus Frerotte, released by the Rams three weeks ago, paid a free-agent visit Tuesday to Green Bay. He's scheduled to visit Minnesota today.
The Rams have expressed some interest in Tampa Bay free-agent running back Michael Pittman, but Pittman is drawing interest from several other clubs.
jthomas@post-dispatch.com | 314-340-8197
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