Pace’s release part of overhaul by new St. Louis Rams regime

[RamWraith]

By Bill Coats
St. Louis Post-Dispatch


There were about 6 millions reasons (one for each dollar the Rams saved under the salary cap) to release Orlando Pace. Still, it was a difficult task for Billy Devaney, who has been the team’s general manager for less than three months.

“It’s really tough,” Devaney said Tuesday afternoon, just minutes after he’d informed Pace, who has spent all 12 of his NFL seasons in St. Louis. In 1995, the Rams made Ohio State’s Pace the first offensive lineman in 27 years the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

Still, the new braintrust at Rams Park — basically, Devaney and coach Steve Spagnuolo, with the blessing of owner Chip Rosenbloom – is determined to put together a roster that it feels will be manned with enough talent to right a franchise that has suffered through two miserable seasons (5-27), hasn’t placed a team in the playoffs since 2004 and hasn’t posted a .500-plus record since ‘03.

With Pace gone, Alex Barron becomes the new left tackle, and if his offseason tutoring goes well, Jacob Bell will assume Barron’s old spot at right tackle. Recently signed free agent Jason Brown is the center, and Richie Incognito and John Greco are the favorites to start at guard.

Of course, free agency continues, a trade is always a possibility, and who knows what kind of shuffling could occur during training camp? But barring a surprise or an injury, this likely is the offensive line that will open the season for the Rams.

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Notes & quotes:

*Devaney very much would like to bring back vet Gus Frerotte to back up Marc Bulger at QB.

*Free-agent FB Mike Karney could well sign with the Rams on Wednesday. The same with strong safety James Butler, another free agent.

*A decision on WR Torry Holt is expected in the next few days. Holt is owed a $1.25 million roster bonus next Tuesday.

*Welcome to Ted Crews, the Rams’ new senior director of communications. Crews, who was working in the Falcons’ public relations department, succeeds the venerable Rick Smith. Smith is retiring after his second stint at running the Rams’ PR.

*And congrats to Crews’ highly capable sidekicks, Artis Twyman and Ryan Anderson, who were promoted to director of media relations and media relations coordinator, respectively. Much deserved.

All for now . . .

[39thebeast]

I like the look of the interior line alot, I think S-JAX feels the same way. I really think we should use Bell as a versatile backup instead. IMO he doesn't fit the new look of the bigger physical line. Everyone except him is 320+ and he is maybe 286.

[bruce4life]

Through the season Bell lost like 20 pounds man. Before we signed him he was regarded as one of the best up and coming LG's in the league. Give him one more year to pan out guys. Bell is a solid player just had some problems last year

[Curly Horns]

*Devaney very much would like to bring back vet Gus Frerotte to back up Marc Bulger at QB.

Flashback to Nov. of 2007.....gus fumbles the snap on 4th and goal from the hawks 1 yard line effectively sealing the win for the seahawks.

I never imagined seeing that guy in horns again. Please, can't you find someone else, Billy?

[Ramer]

So where do you see Pace ending up at?

[txramsfan]

How about Byron Leftwich? I never Trent Green would be able to push Bulger but Leftwich could.

[Rooster Cogburn]

Who's got more speed? Leftwich or Bulger?

[Ramer]

That's a tough one. I will give the edge to who ever is younger?

[txramsfan]

Who's got more speed? Leftwich or Bulger?

i think both of them could be timed in the 40 using a sun dial

[itsguud]

Flashback to Nov. of 2007.....gus fumbles the snap on 4th and goal from the hawks 1 yard line effectively sealing the win for the seahawks.

I never imagined seeing that guy in horns again. Please, can't you find someone else, Billy?

Exactly what I am thinking!> Seems like he is trying to bring someone in to call from the sidelines so they don't have to waste a pick on a backup this year IMO

[txramsfan]

So where do you see Pace ending up at?

Philadelphia. They lost Tra Thomas and are in desperate need of a LT.

[Tony Banks]

Flashback to Nov. of 2007.....gus fumbles the snap on 4th and goal from the hawks 1 yard line effectively sealing the win for the seahawks.

I never imagined seeing that guy in horns again. Please, can't you find someone else, Billy?

You are absolutely right. There has to be someone better.

[Bar-bq]

Philadelphia. They lost Tra Thomas and are in desperate need of a LT.

That could be a blessing in disguise for us when it comes to the Draft. Philly inking Pace to a sizable contract could reduce their own likelihood to nab a player like William Beatty at the bottom of the first, being content to wait until the second to grab a Kropog/Meredith. If we select Curry, then there's a greater chance that Beatty slips to us.

[tonyray05]

I can see Holt, and Pace signing with Lovie in Chicago. Just a gut feeling.

[shower beers]

Philadelphia. They lost Tra Thomas and are in desperate need of a LT.

I heard that too. Good for him if it happens.