Inside Slant
For three seasons, linebacker
Brandon Chillar was just another guy in the team's defense. But things changed in 2007.
In his second season with
Jim Haslett as defensive coordinator, Chillar was credited with 85 tackles, had 2.5 sacks and also forced three fumbles. He was hoping to return to the Rams after becoming an unrestricted free agent, but the team never really competed to retain his services.
That led to Chillar signing a two-year, $5.4 million contract with the Green Bay Packers this week.
"I really enjoyed playing in that scheme, and thought that we were going places with that scheme, too, because I was starting to get used in different ways," Chillar told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I think the defensive coaches liked me and wanted me back. Ultimately, the front office is the one that makes the (offer). And they didn't really contact me or anything. So I don't think they were very interested."
With Chillar having visited Green Bay and Arizona, he finally received an offer from the Rams about a week ago. For one season.
"One year, $1 million," Chillar said of the offer. "It just wasn't cutting it. That made me think that they had very little interest."
Said coach Scott Linehan, "We wish him well. He played very well for us. Unfortunately, we can't keep everybody. We've had to let other players go. ... We've had to kind of figure out what can stay and what can't."
Chillar's agent, Jim Ivler, hinted that the Cardinals' offer was somewhat higher than the Packers.
Said Ivler, "I think ultimately at the end of the day he could have had the ability to get more money elsewhere. But he was comfortable with what Green Bay had to say and he realizes it's a winning program and a great organization and he wants a chance at the Super Bowl.
"I think that of all the teams that were talking to him when we got down to the nitty gritty, the Packers have the best shot at that. He wants to be on a competitive, winning team. That was absolutely a big thing."
NOTES, QUOTES
—WR Reche Caldwell signed with the Rams for one-year at $645,000, according to ESPN.com. St. Louis is in need of depth at the position after releasing Isaac Bruce this offseason. There is very little experience behind starters
Torry Holt and Drew Bennett, so Caldwell could be in line for significant playing time.
—The Rams were reportedly mildly interested in cornerback Fernando Bryant, who was recently released by the Lions. However, Bryant signed a one-year deal with the Patriots.
There was also some interest in center Justin Hartwig, who was let go by the Carolina Panthers. Hartwig signed a two-year contract with Pittsburgh.
The Rams' projected starting center is currently a mystery. Brett Romberg was an unrestricted free agent, who re-signed for one year this week. Coach Scott Linehan has said Andy McCollum could return later in the off-season if there is a need.
It's also a distinct possibility that either
Mark Setterstrom or
Richie Incognito could wind up at center. Setterstrom started at center in college and was the Rams' starting left guard last season until injuring his knee in Week 3 against Tampa Bay.
Incognito also was a center in college, and was the team's starting right guard last season, but missed 12 games because of ankle and knee injuries.
Recently signed Jacob Bell is slated to play left guard, so provided Setterstrom and Incognito are healthy, one could end up at center and the other at right guard with the roster as it is presently constituted, with Romberg also in the mix.
—Billy Devaney, the team's new executive vice president of player personnel, has emphasized the importance of character in evaluating players.
"We firmly believe that (character) is critical for long-term success," Devaney said. "The more good people we can bring in the building, guys that care about the team, guys that care about winning, that are serious about their profession, those are the kind of guys you win championships with.
"We spend as much time evaluating and discussing the character part (as on-field production). "The on-field stuff is almost easy. It's there in black and white, you look at the tape. But there's more than that. It's been proven. There have been teams that spend a lot of money in free agency signing players over the past few years, but not the right type of player. Maybe talented players, but not the right fit. We're more interested in bringing in talented players that are the right fit, that care about the Rams and winning championships."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I couldn't stress enough that the quality of kids that we're getting coming through, that we saw at the combine. Somebody in their upbringing is doing a great job. Whether it be (because of) family, teachers, coaches, the quality of the kids this year is tremendous." - Rams executive vice president of player personnel Billy Devaney.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
To replace assistant strength and conditioning coach Brad Roll, who left for a job with the Raiders, the Rams hired Chuck Faucette, who has been with Southern Methodist and Texas.
TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY
With the second pick in the draft, the Rams have to figure out how to get value from a player that will command a large amount of guaranteed money. With much debate revolving around players like DE Chris Long and OT Jake Long, the Rams wonder if they are true difference-makers worthy of being selected that high.
They have spent a lot of time recently looking at Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston, and are intrigued by his off-the-chart athletic ability.
The Rams also have several offensive linemen returning from injuries, so it complicates the decisions to be made in the coming weeks. They added free agent OG Jacob Bell, and would consider playing Jake Long at guard to start out if he was selected second overall.
1. Defensive end: The Rams are looking closely at Gholston because they got only 5.5 sacks from their defensive ends, although James Hall was recently re-signed.
Leonard Little is returning from toe surgery and will be 34 in October. Even with Little healthy, the need for another end is strong.
2. Wide receiver: Drew Bennett disappointed as the No. 3 receiver last year, and for now, he is a starter after the departure of Isaac Bruce. The Rams hope Bennett's struggles last season were more due to injuries than declining skills. Still, there is a need for youth at the position, especially considering
Torry Holt will be 32 in June and has continuing knee issues.
3. Tackle: Left tackle
Orlando Pace has played in just 11 games the last two seasons, and is coming back from a torn labrum in his shoulder. Right tackle
Alex Barron, who played mostly on the left side last year after Pace's injury, is solid, but gets too many penalties and there are questions whether the team will commit to him after his current contract expires. This is a draft deep in tackles, so one could be added after the first round.
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
—G Milford Brown started at three different positions during the 2007 season, and was at left guard for most of the second half of the season. He was in Arizona when new line coach Steve Loney was there.
—C/G Andy McCollum started at left guard and center during the '07 season, but hasn't made a decision whether he wants to play another season.
—S Hanik Milligan played mostly on special teams when he was on the field.
—LB Raonall Smith is a solid special teams player and backup linebacker, but ended the '07 season on injured reserve with a knee injury.
—T/G Todd Steussie wants to return for another season, but it's unknown where he fits on the line. Suffered a broken foot at the end of the preseason and came back for the final six games of the season.
—TE Aaron Walker is a decent blocker who saw his season end because of a shoulder injury. Likely not back after addition of Anthony Becht.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers)
—RB Rich Alexis (not tendered as ERFA) was signed late in the season after being cut in training camp.
—DE Trevor Johnson (not tendered as RFA) was a situational player that is expendable.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
—S Oshiomogho Atogwe (tendered at $2.017M with 1st-round pick as compensation) tied for the NFC lead with eight interceptions.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
—G Jacob Bell: UFA Titans; $36M/6 yrs, $7M SB/$6M base salaries guaranteed 08-09; 2008 cap: $3.167M.
—TE Anthony Becht: UFA Buccaneers; $2M/2 yrs, $270,000 SB; 2008 cap: $865,000.
—K Josh Brown: UFA Seahawks; $14.2M/5 yrs, $4M SB; 2008 cap: $1.8M.
—WR Reche Caldwell: UFA Rams; $645,000/1 yr.
—QB Trent Green: FA Dolphins; $8.9M/3 yrs, $2.1 SB/$900,000 reporting bonus; 2008 cap: $2.6M.
—CB David Macklin: UFA Redskins; $770,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB; 2008 cap: $485,000.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
—S Jerome Carter: Not tendered as RFA; $520,000/1 yr, no SB; 2008 cap: $445,000.
—T/G Adam Goldberg: UFA; $645,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB; 2008 cap: $485,000.
—OT Brandon Gorin: UFA; $645,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB; 2008 cap: $485,000.
—RB Travis Minor: Potential UFA; terms unknown.
—C Brett Romberg: UFA; $645,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB; 2008 cap: $485,000.
PLAYERS LOST
—WR Isaac Bruce (released).
—LB
Brandon Chillar: UFA Packers; $5.2M/2 yrs, SB unknown.
—QB Gus Frerotte (released).
—PK Jeff Wilkins (retired).
GO RAMS 
