Hedgecock released

*1st & Goal* · #1 (**permalink**) -11-09-2007

Bernie said they released Hedgecock today. Came from Howard who will be on today at 6 pm.

*badmoforamfan* · #2 (**permalink**) -11-09-2007

Are we in Denmark?

*RealRam* · #3 (**permalink**) -11-09-2007

If this is true...

:x A A A A A A A A A A A R G H !

Hedge is one Ram I especially support, our FB. I only hope (again, if this is a decision taken by our coaches) that there is a justified plan on the front burner to work out in his absence for I believe he is an integral part of the Rams running game.

Yes, in our coaches I trust. :\

*1st & Goal* · #4 (**permalink**) -11-09-2007

Bernie was on his show just befoer 5 o'clock and said they had gotten word from H-man. Supposidly it is to make room for a signing. If owens was signed, then he could be filling Madison's roster space.

This from STLToday. ( NO LINKS )

NFL suspends Wroten; Hedgecock released
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/11/2007

For the second time in two months, a Rams player has received a four-game suspension from the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse problem. In early July, it was starting cornerback Fakhir Brown. On Tuesday, the league announced that defensive tackle Claude Wroten was suspended.

Wroten’s suspension begins immediately. He is not eligible to return until Game 5, Oct. 7 against Arizona, or one week after Brown’s suspension is lifted.

"Claude’s not a starter, but he’s a guy who factors into what we’re trying to do on defense," coach Scott Linehan said. "The rules are the rules. I don’t even know really what (the substance) is, but regardless, we’re in full support of our league’s policy on this. The guys have got to know that there’s going to be consequences. . . .That’s about as much as I can really say about it."

Wroten, a third-round draft pick out of Louisiana State in 2006, was a rotation player on the defensive front, usually spelling starter La’Roi Glover. According to coaches’ review of game film, Wroten was not credited with any tackles during the Rams’ 27-13 season-opening loss to Carolina. During his suspension, Wroten will not count on the 53-man roster, and the Rams were working on a possible replacement Tuesday.

Tuesday was a busy at Rams Park even before Wroten’s suspension was announced. Starting fullback Madison Hedgecock was released and replaced on the roster by Richard Owens, a tight end/H-back who played for Linehan both with the Minnesota Vikings and at the University of Louisville.

The team also will sign offensive tackle Brandon Gorin to the roster to replace Orlando Pace, who’s out for the season with a right shoulder injury. Offensive tackle Kenyatta Walker also was in for a visit, but the Rams opted for Gorin instead, a former New England Patriot.

The Rams also made a practice squad move, releasing cornerback Josh Lay. Three defensive backs visited Rams Park on Tuesday, and either Eric Bassey, C.J. Gaddis, or Alan Zemaitis will be signed to Lay’s spot on the practice squad.

*RealRam* · #5 (**permalink**) -12-09-2007

While we're at it, how about letting Bryd fly (away)?

I hope Hedgecock finds a team soon.

*RebelYell* · #6 (**permalink**) -12-09-2007

I don't really understand this move at all. If Hedgecock is such a poor blocker, how did he make the roster out of camp? Is a free agent TE coming into the system AFTER all of preseason and training camp going to be that much of an upgrade over a FB who has been in the system for two years?

Cutting guys at this point when the team is in such flux for extremely minor upgrades seems like adding to the turmoil. There must be more to the situation than I've read. Otherwise WHY did we resign Walker if he isn't a sufficient blocker?

**Nick** · #7 (**permalink**) -12-09-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by RebelYell

I don't really understand this move at all. If Hedgecock is such a poor blocker, how did he make the roster out of camp?

Did he face any competition for the spot? If not, it would be hard to cut him at that point. Maybe they saw something against the Panthers that helped them make the decision.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RebelYell

Is a free agent TE coming into the system AFTER all of preseason and training camp going to be that much of an upgrade over a FB who has been in the system for two years?

But Owens also has two years of experience in Linehan's offense because he was in Minnesota with Linehan in 2004 and 2005.

*Rambos* · #8 (**permalink**) -12-09-2007

Pro Career

2005: Played in all 16 games and started a pair, at Atlanta (10/2) and at Green Bay (11/21) when he lined up in the backfield...Emerged as one of the Vikings top special teams players, leading the team with 22 tackles...Joined Rod Davis as Vikings Special Teams Co-Captains following the season-ending injury to Willie Offord...Had season-high 3 special teams stops vs. New Orleans (9/25) and at NY Giants (11/13)...Caught both passes on the season vs New Orleans (9/25)...Threw key blocks on Mewelde Moore's punt return TD and Koren Robinson's kickoff return TD at NY Giants (11/13) and helped become part of history as the Vikings became the only team in NFL history to score in a game by a kickoff return, punt return and interception return...The Giants game marked the 2nd time in team history scoring a kickoff return TD and punt return TD in a game, the last time coming at Kansas City (12/12/99).

Signed by the Vikings on 5/3/04 as an undrafted rookie free agent...Reserve TE and LS who also will contribute on special teams in 2005.

College Career

Finished career with 36 catches for 371 yards and 8 TDs...Also served as the Cardinals' longsnapper...Played at Louisville from 2000-01 when former Vikings' offensive coordinator Scott Linehan ran the Cardinals' offense.

Hope this helps... as to why

*BigGameMN* · #9 (**permalink**) -12-09-2007

I'm really concerned this could affect our running game. So Hedgecock didn't have any hands, at least he did an alright job of opening up running lanes. We might be cutting off our nose despite our face.

*RebelYell* · #10 (**permalink**) -12-09-2007

Linehan was in Miami in 2005 so really he had one season, 2004. He appears to have been the #4 TE after Wiggins, Berton and Dugan that year. He only played a few games that year.

*general counsel* · #11 (**permalink**) -12-09-2007

guys, we need to all deal with the fact that linehan knows the players better than we do.
More to the point, its his job if he makes the wrong choices. He is aware of hedgecocks plusses and minuses and aware of what the other guy can do as well. Better this guy than ernie, who has had so many injuries that its amazing he is still in one piece.

By the way, i am a hedgecock fan and will miss him.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

*ramhard* · #12 (**permalink**) -12-09-2007

One thing I noticed is that he is also a long-snapper, is this a move to free up another spot by having someone who can play in the field as well as long snap unlike Chris Massey?

*Keenum* · #13 (**permalink**) -12-09-2007

Maybe using more 2 TE sets and lessens the need for a good blocking FB?
I don't really like the move, hopefully the Rams show us soon why it was justified.

*chipperjones* · #14 (**permalink**) -12-09-2007

Maybe we plan on using Brian Leonard there more???

*Goldenfleece* · #15 (**permalink**) -12-09-2007

I'm still not crazy about this fullback deal. Seems to me Hedgecock was a fine lead blocker. And we're replacing him with a reserve tight end that has only started two NFL games when we're already carrying 4 other tight ends? Who keeps 5 tight ends on the roster and no fullback?