Letters to Gordo: On Pace for disaster?
BY JEFF GORDON
Post-Dispatch Online Sports Columnist
Monday, Aug. 30 2004
The Rams handled the Redskins pretty easily Friday night, even though All-Pro
tackle
Orlando Pace remained unsigned. Afterward, O.P. showed he cared by
hosting a party for this estranged teammates at a downtown nightclub.
But Rams Nation would like to see the big fella get back in uniform or get on
down the trail. Here is still another sampling of the electronic mail sent to
the "Letters to Gordo" bin:
* * *
"How do you think the rest of the team feels year after year after the Big Oaf
-- I mean, Big O -- comes into camp after the rest of the team has sweated
their backsides off in camp and says 'I am here to save the team.'
"I say the guys ought to get together and nickname him SLACKER until he can be
a man and do what the other guys do, work their backsides off. Remember, there
is no letter "I" in the word team or "O" for that matter. I say get rid of Big
Oaf."
-- Tom Stephens
GORDO: Well, O.P. did throw that party for the fellas, so that might smooth
over things just a bit. Some players may still resent him, of course, but that
could go away if the team gets off to a good start this season.
We presume that Pace has been working hard to stay in shape, so he'll be ready
to play once he finally signs his franchise tag tender. If he doesn't sign . .
. well, now, that could get ugly.
* * *
"I've lost a lot of respect for a very fine football player. He has (bad)
agents and listens to bad advice. Meanwhile, and you're exactly right, his
teammates are busting backside and slowly becoming non-teammates, and on the
offensive line of all places! His routine each year is becoming old and
tiring, and that's too bad for the team and fans alike.
"I'm very concerned about the 2004 season for the Rams. The team needs Big O
to be a leader RIGHT NOW. Why don't you give him a call and ask nicely?
-- Jeff Rabenort, Okawville
GORDO: Ask nicely? What fun is that? I believe Pace will make it back to the
starting lineup for Game 1. Rams fans can only hope he is more prepared for
football than he was at this point last summer.
* * *
"I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but has it occurred to
anybody that the Pace vacation through training camp may be part of a
gentleman's agreement with the Rams for not getting signed to a long-term
contract via the franchise tag? It would be nice if pro football were 'All for
One and One for All' but it's a business. Listen to the tone of the coaches and
management -- no one is making nearly as big a deal about this as the fans. It
makes for dull print and even duller radio."
-- Tom Grieve
GORDO: Everybody knew this holdout was coming, once efforts to sign Pace to a
long-term deal went nowhere. Everybody assumes Pace will come back in time for
the season, because he has before. But keep in mind, coaches and players WERE
trying to contact him in recent weeks, so this standoff really is a big deal
for the franchise.
"Let Pace sit out, or trade him if you can. This guy doesn't want to put effort
in here in St. Louis."
-- Mike Bray
GORDO: The Rams need the guy, plain and simple. With the demise of right tackle
Kyle Turley and center Dave Wohlabaugh, this team is awfully vulnerable along
the offensive line. Add a Pro Bowl-caliber blocker to the current unit and it
gets a whole lot better overnight.
* * *
"I sure hope Orlando was watching Monday night, and to know that he's needed.
And, as for those two idiots he calls agents, I hope future NFL players will
take note and avoid those clowns at all cost."
-- Dan Stecklein, Dodge City, Kan.
GORDO: The Poston Brothers get top dollar for their clients, so they will
always get more clients. Players have no empathy for the billionaire owners
these agents work over. Why should they? Business is business. At the end of
the day, the players have to make their own call on when to sign and for how
much.
* * *
"How can he do this (hold out)? Because he simply doesn't care. Pace is an
overstuffed, spoiled rotten, overrated PUNK who will never make the most of his
ability. Best left tackle in football MY (BACKSIDE). He plays with no fire,
just like the rest of his teammates (and head coach). The whole thing is beyond
frustrating."
-- Mike Wirth
GORDO: It's good to let those feelings out. Let those emotions build up inside
and you'll turn as wacky as that dude in the kilt at the Olympic marathon.
But Pace IS an excellent player, arguably the best at his position. He's a good
guy, too, although not overly demonstrative on the field. He earns respect on
the field, both with teammates and opponents. And that is where he needs to
get, ASAP.
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